Underserved, Value Added, Regional Food Systems and Supply Chain Grant

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) offers the Underserved, Value Added, Regional Food Systems and Supply Chain Grant program to promote the expansion of value-added agriculture production, processing, food systems development, healthy food access, underserved business development, and supply chain business development within Michigan to enhance the state's food and agriculture industry. Proposals are accepted to establish, retain, expand, attract, and develop value-added agricultural processing and underserved development; expand or develop regional food systems; or expand access to healthy food.

Eligible entities include food and agriculture businesses, farmers, food hubs, and food access organizations. All applicants must be registered vendors in the SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) system and be in good standing with Michigan's LARA Corporations Division. Entities with an open grant from MDARD's Food & Agriculture Investment or Underserved, Value Added, and Regional Food Systems Grant programs received in the last two years are ineligible. Applicants may self-certify as majority minority-owned, beginning, veteran, limited resource, or socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers, or as women-owned, socially disadvantaged, or historically underserved businesses to qualify for a reduced 15% match requirement. Only one proposal per applicant will be considered.

Funding focuses on urban agriculture; farm markets, flower markets, and hoop houses; food hub development; food access and nutrition education; value-added food processing and agro-tourism; equipment and innovation; feasibility studies that lead to jobs and investment; and outreach, education, and training. Grant funds cannot be used for land acquisition, purchase or structural repair of buildings/facilities, purchase of livestock, fuel, insurance, indirect costs, salaries/wages/benefits, travel, or equipment installed outside of Michigan.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the MiAgGrants portal under an authorized account by 5:00 p.m. ET on the deadline date. A complete submission requires all application sections, a budget narrative with cost estimates for equipment over $4,999, and two letters of support. Proposals are scored on a 100-point scale by a Joint Evaluation Committee (JEC) that provides funding recommendations to the MDARD Director.