State now accepting applications to grants for Hawai‘i food security program

The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is now accepting applications for the Micro-Grant for Food Security Program.

This is the fifth year of the grant program, which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food-insecure communities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a total of $2,235,220 for this year’s program through funding authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill.

The deadline for applications is noon on Feb. 19.

Consideration will be based on the project description, the number of beneficiaries, and the anticipated production of the project. Previous awardees are not eligible for this year’s grant program.

The program is open to individuals, including backyard farmers, for an amount set at $5,000 per applicant. Applicants must be a Hawai‘i resident, at least 18 years old and head of the household.

Examples of the types of activities that may be funded under this grant include:

• Small-scale gardening – purchase tools or equipment, soil, seeds, plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, composting equipment, towers, hydroponic and aeroponic farming.
• Small-scale herding and livestock operations – purchase animals, buy, erect or repair fencing for livestock.
• Apiary – bees and bee boxes, education, expanding food markets.

Organizations that are registered to do business in Hawai‘i, including Native Hawaiian, nonprofits, federally funded educational facilities – for the amount set at $10,000 per applicant.

Organizations receiving awards will be required to provide matching funds of at least 10% of the grant award. The matching funds cannot be derived from other federal sources.

The online application form and program information for individuals are available at the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Market Development Branch website at: https://dab.hawaii.gov/add/mgfsp/. The Request for Proposals for organizations is posted on the State Procurement Office website at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/26521.

Examples of proposals that were funded in last year’s round included projects for:

• Fencing to protect crops and seedlings from axis deer damage
• Purchasing of seeds and tree crops
• Purchasing of soil amendments, compost, tools and irrigation systems
• Purchasing of garden towers and raised beds for vegetable production
• Building shade houses, aquaponic, hydroponic and aeroponic systems
• Constructing poultry coops

For questions regarding the application process, call 808-973-9594 or email: dab.md.microgrants@hawaii.gov.