Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP):

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/SCBGP

The SCBGP provides funding to State Departments of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as "fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)."

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Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP):

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/FMPP

The purpose of the FMPP is to increase the domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of, domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSAs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. 

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Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP):

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/lfpp

The LFPP offers grant funds with a 25% match to support the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. There are two types of project applications accepted under LFPP - planning grants and implementation grants. Applicants can apply for either but will receive only one type of grant in the same grant cycle. 

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Organic Cost Share Program:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOPCostSharing

The AMS National Organic Program (NOP) has allocated approximately $11.9 million to participating state departments of agriculture to help defray the costs of organic certification incurred by organic producers and processors. 

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Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG):  

http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants

RBDG is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity type grant activities.

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Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG):

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html

The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of the program. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or are proposing a mid-tier value chain. 

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Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG):

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html

The primary objective of the SSDPG program is to provide technical assistance to small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and cooperative development centers. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. 

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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/?cid=stelprdb1048817

NRCS offer voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs, the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. 

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More at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

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Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-CF_Grants.html.

These programs provide grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. Also provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. Most rural projects that reduce energy use and result in savings for agricultural producer or small business are eligible, including projects such as retrofitting lighting or insulation, or purchasing or replacing equipment with more efficient units. Eligible renewable energy projects include projects that produce energy from wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydro including power, and hydrogen-based sources. The projects can produce any form of energy, including heat, electricity, or fuel.

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Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE):

http://www.nesare.org/Grants/Get-a-Grant/Farmer-Grant

Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique.

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Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program

This program is designed to increase food security in low-income communities by developing linkages between sectors of food system, supporting the development of entrepreneurial projects, and encouraging communities' long-term planning. Eligible applicants include nonprofit entities, that need a one-time infusion of Federal assistance to establish and carry out multipurpose community food projects.

Contact: Jane Clary, National Program Leader, Nutrition / Extension: (202) 720-3891 or jclary@nifa.usda.gov.

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NIFA Small Business Innovation and Research Program (SBIR)

The small business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nations R & D arena, high-tech innovation is simulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

Contact: Charles F. Cleland, National Program Leader: (202) 401-6852 or ccleland@nifa.usda.gov