Grants
The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Application is OPEN.
The LASA grant program supports Agriculture, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Forestry industries by investing in Rhode Island’s small and beginning farms. The goal is to support the growth, development, and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island.
The 2024-2025 grant round is accepting applications until November 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM .
LASA Grant Program Webpage
NEW Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center website!
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center offers grants and contracts for dairy farmers, processors, and service providers.
Current Grants:
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
Two processor-focused funding opportunities are available through the Northeast Dairy Business innovation Center:
Dairy Processor Modernization Grant – Open Now
Funding will range from $15,000 to $350,000 and support the purchase of specialized equipment necessary for business growth and viability. Funded projects will address one or more of the following areas:
- Expanded processing capacity
- Increased facility efficiencies
- Implementation of packaging improvements
A 25% cash or in-kind match is required. At least 75% of grant funds must be used for eligible specialized equipment purchases.
Applications are open now through August 13 at 2:00 pm ET. Learn more here: https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/dairy-processor-modernization-grant/
New Dairy Processor Start-Up Grant – Opens July 25
Funding will range from $15,000 -$75,000 and support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast. The goal of this program is to help develop competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability, supporting operations of all sizes in successfully launching and sustaining their products in the marketplace.
A 25% cash or in-kind match is required. At least 15% of grant funds must be allocated to obtaining technical assistance or training relevant to starting up value-added production.
Applications are open July 25 through September 5. Learn more here: https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/dairy-processor-startup-grant/
Katie Spring (she/her)
NE-DBIC Outreach & Content Specialist
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St., Montpelier Vermont 05602-2901
Tel: 802-522-3186
Sign up for our monthly emails: NE-DBIC Newsletter
Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Grant Program
In partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the Office of Energy Resources offers a grant program specifically designed to support clean energy upgrades for Rhode Island farms.
The Agricultural Energy Grant Program provides awards of up to $20,000 for eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at RI Farms. The grant program has held two rounds of funding each year since 2016. The spring 2022 round awarded a total of $115,667 to help 6 different farms install rooftop and ground mount solar projects.
This funding helps local farmers reduce their reliance on conventional fossil fuels while eliminating the energy-intensive carbon footprint of RI’s agricultural sector. Farmers can “green” their operations through the financial and environmental benefits offered by energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy procurement.
Funding for this program is made possible through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Since 2016, grants totaling over $892 thousand have supported a total of 50 projects.
Applications for the next funding round closed November 4, 2022. For access to applications and more information about the program, please visit: http://www.energy.ri.