grants

Meet a CCOF Foundation Future Organic Farmer Grantee

As a child, Shelia Wambui lived in Kenya with her family, where they tended land, grew their own vegetables, and reared hundreds of chickens and a handful of pigs. She believes it is our responsibility to be ethical stewards for the environment and its inhabitants. Sheila values conscious farming practices because of their effect on all ecosystems. She notes that organic farming, by avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reduces harmful exposure to humans and waterways.

Future Organic Farmer’s Story of Organic Passion

Starting the journey into agriculture is no easy feat, and the fear of not knowing enough can be extremely nerve-racking. But for Finley Tevlin, 2023 Future Organic Farmer, this feeling fueled his passion and set him on a quest for knowledge. Tevlin writes, “I have found purpose in farming, and I want to do it for the rest of my life … in a way that supports farmers and ranchers who are growing food in a way that benefits their community and the planet.” Traveling catalyzed his curiosity for organic agriculture. During a cross-country bike trip, he discovered the prevalence of U.S.

Grants Available for Dairy Processors in Western States

Dairy Cow Herd on Alexandre EcoDairy Farm

Applications from dairy processors in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington will be due February 29 for grants that will provide funding for pandemic recovery and for modernizing, specializing, expanding, investigating and/or marketing regionally produced higher-value milk products.

Conservation Grants Offered in Marin County

Regenerative practices begin with soil health. Photo by Liz Birnbaum at The Curated Feast

The Marin Agricultural Land Trust’s (MALT’s) small grants program is opening a round of funding in late February that will focus on protecting biodiversity in agricultural working lands. 

The goal of this small grants cycle is to provide resources to help agriculturalists promote biodiversity in their working lands.

USDA Seeks Applications for Value-Added Grant Program To Help Farmers and Ranchers Seek New Markets

Charolette Epps, CCOF Foundation grantee, in the greenhouse with her variety of sweet potato plants

The USDA is now accepting applications for grants to help agricultural producers maximize the value of their products and venture into new and better markets. 

Electronic applications are due April 11, 2024, and paper applications must be postmarked by April 16, 2024. More information on submission dates below.

Millions Available for Special Conservation Priorities in California

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is accepting applications for three popular conservation priorities through February 16, 2024. This funding is in addition to the millions available to California’s agricultural producers through the regular Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the new Inflation Reduction Act.