(Palmer, AK) – An additional $2.2 million will be invested in Alaska’s agricultural economy through the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program. The Alaska Division of Agriculture distributes the grants on behalf of the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food products in food insecure communities through small-scale agricultural related projects such as gardening, herding and livestock operations.
Eligible entities may apply for the competitive grants, with priority given to those in rural Alaskan communities that have significant levels of food insecurity. The grant application period runs Wednesday, Feb. 14 to 5pm on Friday, March 15, 2024.
Grants up to $5,000 are available for individuals, and organizations may apply for a maximum of $10,000. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the Request for Applications. Categories for eligible projects:
- Small-Scale Gardening
- Greenhouse
- Small-Scale Herding and Livestock Operations
- Subsistence
“These micro-grants have been critical in past years, helping many Alaskans gain access to a more secure local source of food to feed themselves, their friends and local community,” said Bryan Scoresby, Director of the Division of Agriculture. “To date, approximately 42,500 food insecure individuals were fed as a result of this grant program. DNR encourages food-insecure Alaskans who could benefit from this program and are interested in agriculture-related activities to apply for this grant opportunity.”
Applications must be submitted electronically via the Division of Agriculture grants portal. Successful applicants will be notified of their funding status upon conclusion of the review and approval process (estimated for July 2024). Project period for this grant cycle is Sept.1, 2024- Aug. 31, 2025. Previous years’ applicants who did not receive funding may reapply.
Alaskans with questions about the Micro-Grants for Food Security may email [email protected] with “2024 MGFSP” in the subject line, or visit https://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ag_grants.htm to see all grants available through the Division.
