Funding Opportunities
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FoodSupplyChainFactSheet.pdf
- https://www.nal.usda.gov/economics-business-and-trade/guide-funding-resources
Agriculture & Economic Development Organizations
- Economic Development Districts (EDDs) & Regional Development Organizations (RDOs): local and regional organizations working to connect entrepreneurs with resources and financing to grow their
- Small Business Administration (SBA) District Offices: state offices for information on funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery referrals to partner organizations and local lenders for additional services.
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): technical assistance and counseling to help people start, run, or grow their
- State Commerce Authorities: state trade regulation, economic development programming, tax incentives and financing resources to support business innovation and job
- State Departments of Agriculture: state offices for agricultural promotion including funding and cost share programs, food safety oversight and technical assistance, conservation efforts, and nutrition programs.
- State Departments of Economic Development (EDA): state offices that work with local partners, private industry and small businesses to enhance and sustain economic prosperity through business development, tax credits, research and development, loans, and direct
Lenders & Financial Institutions
- Conventional banks for:
- Lines of credit
- Term loans
- Asset based loans
- Construction loans
- SBA’s Microloan Lenders: for loans up to $50,000
- SBA Approved Lenders: for larger loans
- Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs): private financial institutions focused on building local wealth through a variety of creative investment
- Credit Unions: non-profit cooperative financial institutions owned by their
- Agricultural Investors, such as AgFunder, Mad Agriculture, Proofing Station, S2G Ventures
Finance Related Resources
- Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFAs)
- The Role of Regional Development Organizations in Economic Development, Congressional Research Service (CRS)
- Building a Capital Stack
- Capital Continuum, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
- The Capital Continuum, Pursuit
How to Apply for Federal Grants
- gov – Grants Learning Center
- USDA AMS – Grant Technical Assistance Webinars
- NOTE: LRFD Funding Tracker includes links to program-specific webinars from the most recent fiscal
Federal Resource Guides or Databases
- gov: comprehensive database of forecasted, posted, closed, and archived federal funding opportunities.
- Federal Economic Development Resources for Food Businesses and Systems: a research brief prepared for Congress in 2023 by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
- Lenders, Investors, and Technical Service Providers with Treasury Funding or CDFI Certification: searchable database of providers by jurisdiction developed by the Department of the Treasury.
- LRFD Funding Tracker: an internal resource prepared by the Local and Regional Foods Division for RFBC partners. See tutorial video here for more on how to use this resource (last updated January, 2025, future updates pending RFA guidance).
- Small Business Administration Journey Dashboard: a free learning platform for entrepreneurs covering topics spanning disaster and economic recovery, strategic marketing, HR, business strategy, access to capital, government contracting, and
- United States Treasury Interagency Community Investment Small Business Resource Guides: resource guides for 15 states to help small businesses connect with local support and resources regarding access to capital, federal contracting resources, technical assistance, and tax resources.