Current Grant Opportunities

1. Business Builder Grant - The Northeast Regional Food Business Center will open the first round of Business Builder applications on Monday, February 24. The Business Builder sub-award program will equip small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses with funding to develop and amplify regional supply chains. In the first funding round, the Center anticipates distributing around $10 million and between 180 and 350 awards. Please reach out to program staff with any questions about the application process.

• Application Dates: February 24 – April 7
• Eligible Entities: Farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught fisheries, and non-profits with $1M or less in annual revenue or $350,000 or less in revenue are eligible to apply (funding track dependent).
• Allowable Uses: Post-harvest activities (farm gate/landing to table), including processing, storage and transportation.
• Unique Entity ID: Applicants must either present a valid Unique Entity ID (UEI) or provide proof that they are in progress of obtaining a UEI at the point of application submission. Explore the Application Checklist for resources on obtaining a UEI.

2. Dairy Co-packing Grant 

The application is open February 11, 2025 – April 10, 2025 at 2 PM ET.

This grant supports existing licensed dairy processors and dairy brands in the Northeast engaged in or planning to use co-packing arrangements. The program supports dairy processors who wish to initiate new co-packing arrangements as well as those with existing co-packing capabilities looking to scale up production, expand product lines, or establish new co-packing partnerships. Additionally, dairy brands currently using co-packing services or planning to initiate co-packing arrangements are eligible to apply, provided the project focuses on scaling or initiating production of existing products through co-packing.

Applicants are required to allocate at least 10% of their grant funds to obtain technical assistance or training relevant to value-added co-packing production. Grant funds can also be used to purchase specialized dairy processing equipment and supplies, hire professional marketing and branding services, improve food safety, and cover contract fees directly associated with establishing a new co-packing relationship as part of a start-up project. Routine operational expenses for the applicant or co-packing partner are not eligible. Grants will range from $15K to $150K with a 25% match.

3. Value-added Producer Grant New York State 

Deadline to apply is April 17th

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

You may receive priority if you are a:

• Beginning farmer or rancher.
• Veteran farmer or rancher.
• Socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
• Small or medium-sized farm and ranch structured as a family farm.
• Farmer or rancher cooperative.
• Proposing a mid-tier value chain.

Grants are awarded through a national competition.

VAPG is part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) which is an umbrella program created under the 2018 Farm Bill. Producers can find other grant funding opportunities at the LAMP web page.

Program Funding: Approximately $30 million in total available funding.

Maximum Grant Amount: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000.

Matching Funds Requirements: Matching funds requirement of 100 percent of the grant amount required for all applications.

Last updated March 27, 2025