1. 2021 Farm to School Grant Request for Application
Deadline: January 8
The fiscal year (FY) 2021 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is now available! The solicitation officially opened October 16th, 2020, and will remain open until 11:59pm ET on January 8th, 2021. FNS seeks to award up to $10 million this fiscal year. New for FY 2021, institutions operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program at non-school based sites are included in the definition of eligible schools and may apply for funding. 

2. Young Farmer Grant Program 2021 Applications
Deadline: January 15
In 2020 The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) launched a new grant program to help young and beginning farmers and ranchers start up and grow their businesses. Thanks to support from Chipotle Young Farmers is offering $5,000 grants to 50 young farmers and ranchers across the country. Young Farmer Grants can be used to support everyday needs from infrastructure projects, operating costs, and professional development, to off-farm expenses like childcare, housing, and student loan debt. The funds could also be used to get that extra boost to start up a new operation. Learn more and apply.

3. 2021 Gro More Good Grassroots Grant
Deadline: February 5
The 2021 Gro More Good Grassroots Grant presented by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States.  Awards provide funding for the development of new and expansion of existing youth garden programs and greenspaces serving 15 or more youth. The Gro More Good Grassroots Grant is open to all nonprofit and tax exempt organizations (including schools) in the United States and US Territories. This year, 175 grants worth a collective total of $100,000 will be awarded. 150 grant recipients will be awarded a check for $500 to support their initiatives, and 25 programs will receive a check for $1,000. Learn more here. 

4. The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program
Deadline: March 16, 2021
USDA NIFA requests applications for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) to support and evaluate projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase through nutrition incentive grants; and to demonstrate and evaluate the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduced individual and household food insecurity, and reduced healthcare usage and associated costs through produce prescription grants. Applications are due March 16, 2021. Learn more here. 

5. FY21/22 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) RFA
Deadline: March 25, 2021 and March 24, 2022
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) provides funds to support education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. Deadline is March 25, 2021 for FY21 projects and March 24, 2022 for FY22 projects. Max grants are $600,000 (3 years) for both standard and EET grants. USDA will hold a stakeholder webinar on January 27th at 1:00pm CT for applicants who have any questions about the RFA. Details on page 4 of the RFA. Learn more and apply.

6. Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program
Deadline: May 4, 2021
USDA's NIFA's CFP intends to solicit applications and fund two types of grants: (1) Community Food Projects (CFP) and (2) Planning Projects (PP). The purpose of the CFP is to support the development of projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. CFPs are designed to create community-based food projects with objectives, activities and outcomes that are in alignment with Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) primary goals. The purpose of a Planning Project (PP) is to complete a plan toward the improvement of community food security in keeping with the primary goals of the CFPCGP. Learn more here.