Agriculture Economic Development Grant Program -United States

Deadline: 31-Dec-20

Applications are now open for “Agriculture Economic Development” grant program that will assist local farmers to develop new sources of agricultural income through the provision of cost-share grants. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their operation is a verifiable farm business. The farm tract and farming operation on which the funds are to be used must be in Orange County.

Funding Information

The maximum amount any one farm can receive within 3 years of initial funding is $10,000. Multiple applications and subsequent awards of less than the $10,000 limit may be made within the 3-year period by one farm entity but may not exceed $10,000 in total awards for the 3-year period

Farmer Eligibility

The farm tract and farming operation on which the funds are to be used must be in Orange County;
Collaborative/Group grants must include at least 3 farmers and may include agricultural groups and agencies.

Procedure

Applicants will be referred to the Orange County Economic Development Department’s website, where they will complete and submit their application.
Applicants will be provided interview dates and times (if required) no later than two (2) weeks prior to the Agriculture Economic Development Grant Subcommittee’s next meeting date.
County staff will provide completed applications to the Subcommittee for their review after the closing deadline, all applications for that period have been received, and before the next scheduled meeting.
Quarterly meetings will begin at the start of each funded fiscal year and will continue until funds are expended for that funding year. At its scheduled quarterly meetings, the Subcommittee will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of complete grant application(s) and decide whether or not to take action on the request, based on the information provided. All Applications must be complete to include the detailed budget template provided. Additional information may be provided if necessary to add clarity or better justification for how funds will be used.
The Subcommittee shall approve, deny or request additional information from the applicant based on the strengths and weakness of the application. They will submit grant determinations to County staff at the review meetings and follow with written confirmation to staff if staff is not in attendance.
The applicant will be informed in writing by County staff of the Subcommittee decision to deny, grant, grant with condition, or seek more information. If the Subcommittee denies a grant request, it shall provide a copy of the score sheet(s) to the applicant.
Should the Subcommittee deny an application, the Subcommittee will not consider any applications from that applicant for at least six months. Should an applicant think that their application has been improperly denied, then the applicant may notify, in writing, the Subcommittee. The notice to the Subcommittee shall state why the applicant thinks the grant should be approved. The application shall then be given further consideration by the Subcommittee and its decision is final.
At its discretion, the Subcommittee may impose any additional terms to a grant request. The Subcommittee may require an itemized budget detailing the proposed use of grant funds.
Applicants agree to utilize grant funds for their intended use. Each venture receiving a grant must provide an accounting of how all funds were used and key milestones reached by the venture within 180 days of the receipt of the grant.
If an applicant fails to complete item #9 in a timely manner, the County has the right to require all grant funds back from the applicant, and may initiate legal proceedings against the applicant.
The Subcommittee shall provide annual reports to the Economic Development Department and the BOCC of the number of grants requested, approved and denied, and a 2-3 page written analysis of the program’s success metrics to date.
Documents, including but not limited to financial statements, business plans, customer and supplier lists, description of inventory or assets, contractual obligations and existing liabilities, submitted during the application process shall be treated as confidential information.