Grant Funding Received by the Farmworker Foundation
CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant
A 2019 University of California, Davis and California Farm Bureau Federation study found that fifty-six percent of all California agriculture employers did not have enough workers in 2018. Without enough labor, grapes go unharvested, vineyard practices decline, grower viability is threatened, and the economy suffers. With generous funding through the California Department of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is addressing the urgent need for labor by attracting a new young workforce to winegrape careers. Our Outreach Report shows the ways we are working to address that need.
2501 Program – USDA’s Office of Partnerships & Public EngagementNapa County farmworkers are eligible to receive free technical support for grant applications due to a generous grant provided by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement awarded to the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. These grant programs provide financial assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers on a variety of projects that address environmental concerns, water & air quality, improved soil health, irrigation efficiency, value-added marketing programs, reduced soil erosion, renewable energy, and more.
Grant Application Assistance Technical assistance is provided through our trusted partner Morrison who we have worked with for over 8 years. They are a business consulting firm with a focus on serving the food and agriculture industry that has helped to secure more than $55 million in grant funding for their clients over their history. There are a number of programs through the 2501 grant program that Morrison can provide application assistance for including: |
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Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
The EFRP program provides payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land in order to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster. To restore NIPF, EFRP participants may implement emergency forest restoration practices such as debris removal, site preparation and planting materials, and restoration of fire lanes or fuel breaks.
To learn more about this program click here.
The EFRP program provides payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land in order to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster. To restore NIPF, EFRP participants may implement emergency forest restoration practices such as debris removal, site preparation and planting materials, and restoration of fire lanes or fuel breaks.
To learn more about this program click here.
SDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
This program is currently accepting applications and provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Eligible entities for the program include: Agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations or small businesses in eligible rural areas. Funds may be used in the following two ways: 1) For renewable energy systems, such as: biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels); geothermal for electric generation or direct use; hydropower below 30 megawatts; hydrogen; small and large wind generation; small and large solar generation; and ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation. 2) For the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as: high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC); insulation; lighting; cooling or refrigeration units; doors and windows; electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots; switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor; and replacement of energy-inefficient equipment. Applicants must provide at least 75 percent of the project cost if applying for a grant only. The program requires financial documentation, an energy assessment, and for grant requests over $200,000 a feasibility study is also required.
To learn more about the program click here.
CDFA State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP)
The SWEEP grant program is anticipated to open in the Fall of 2021 and provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. California farmers, ranchers and Federal and California-recognized Native American Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for this program. Eligible system components for the grant program include: soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy, among others. The maximum grant award for the most recent funding round was $100,000 with matching funds and in-kind contributions strongly encouraged.
To find out more about the requirements of the most recent SWEEP solicitation (2019) click here.
To read more about prior awards click here.
This program is currently accepting applications and provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Eligible entities for the program include: Agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations or small businesses in eligible rural areas. Funds may be used in the following two ways: 1) For renewable energy systems, such as: biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels); geothermal for electric generation or direct use; hydropower below 30 megawatts; hydrogen; small and large wind generation; small and large solar generation; and ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation. 2) For the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as: high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC); insulation; lighting; cooling or refrigeration units; doors and windows; electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots; switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor; and replacement of energy-inefficient equipment. Applicants must provide at least 75 percent of the project cost if applying for a grant only. The program requires financial documentation, an energy assessment, and for grant requests over $200,000 a feasibility study is also required.
To learn more about the program click here.
CDFA State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP)
The SWEEP grant program is anticipated to open in the Fall of 2021 and provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. California farmers, ranchers and Federal and California-recognized Native American Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for this program. Eligible system components for the grant program include: soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy, among others. The maximum grant award for the most recent funding round was $100,000 with matching funds and in-kind contributions strongly encouraged.
To find out more about the requirements of the most recent SWEEP solicitation (2019) click here.
To read more about prior awards click here.
Funding provided by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
CDFA California Underserved Small Producers (CUSP) Grant Program
The California Underserved and Small Producers (CUSP) Grant Program is designed to facilitate direct assistance to individual small and mid-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who need support applying for economic relief grant programs and assistance with business planning and marketing strategies. Click here for more information about CUSP.
Grant Application Assistance
Through this grant program, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is offering free technical assistance with partner Morrison & Company to support farmers in applying for the following financial assistance programs:
Grant Application Assistance
Through this grant program, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is offering free technical assistance with partner Morrison & Company to support farmers in applying for the following financial assistance programs:
USDA FSA Emergency Relief Program (ERP) - formerly known as WHIP
The new Emergency Relief Program covers losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to natural disaster events in calendar years 2020 and 2021. Qualifying natural disaster events include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought and related conditions. Funding is being released in 2 phases, and underserved and small producers are eligible to receive a higher limit of assistance. Click here for more information about ERP. Grant partner, Morrison & Company is providing FREE 1:1 direct assistance to support underserved and small producers with the ERP program in determining eligibility, completing the applications, and forms to qualify for 15% higher assistance. To determine your eligibility, please use the flow chart below.
The new Emergency Relief Program covers losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to natural disaster events in calendar years 2020 and 2021. Qualifying natural disaster events include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought and related conditions. Funding is being released in 2 phases, and underserved and small producers are eligible to receive a higher limit of assistance. Click here for more information about ERP. Grant partner, Morrison & Company is providing FREE 1:1 direct assistance to support underserved and small producers with the ERP program in determining eligibility, completing the applications, and forms to qualify for 15% higher assistance. To determine your eligibility, please use the flow chart below.
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is for producers of agricultural commodities, including winegrapes, marketed in 2020 who faced market disruptions due to COVID-19. Payments are direct and the application process has been streamlined. Though winegrapes were not previously eligible crops, this new round of funding is available to winegrape growers. Round 1 funding application period is now closed.
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is for producers of agricultural commodities, including winegrapes, marketed in 2020 who faced market disruptions due to COVID-19. Payments are direct and the application process has been streamlined. Though winegrapes were not previously eligible crops, this new round of funding is available to winegrape growers. Round 1 funding application period is now closed.
The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
In an effort to support the gaps in pandemic assistance for specialty crop producers (including winegrapes), the USDA updated the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which now assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19. Funds can be used for all employee expenses, working capital and overhead and debt obligations, and business costs associated with complying with COVID-19 guidelines for reopening with required safety protocols. Round 1 funding application period now closed. Round 2 is TBD. Click here for more information.
In an effort to support the gaps in pandemic assistance for specialty crop producers (including winegrapes), the USDA updated the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which now assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19. Funds can be used for all employee expenses, working capital and overhead and debt obligations, and business costs associated with complying with COVID-19 guidelines for reopening with required safety protocols. Round 1 funding application period now closed. Round 2 is TBD. Click here for more information.
