This week we are featuring the Kentucky State University's Small Scale Farm Grant Program, and Community Farm Alliance's Farmers Market Support Program which offers a Kentucky Double Dollars cost share and a farmers market manager cost share. Please check out more information about each program below.

Congress passed a new Farm Bill in December. We are pleased to see that it will continue to allocate funds for the Value Added Producer Grant Program and the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs. There may be other new programs of interest to Kentucky producers in the new bill as well. We are reviewing it to help producers navigate the new programs, understand changes made to existing programs, and demonstrate their competitiveness for these new pots of funds.

Kentucky State University's Small Scale Farm Grant

Deadline: February 1 & April 1, 2019
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000 for farmers and $15,000 for agriculture groups; plus, up to $500 for farmer education
Eligible Entities: Kentucky farmers and Kentucky agriculture groups including farmers markets
Link:  http://kysu.edu/academics/cafsss/research-extension/small-scale-farm-grant-program/  
Overview: The Kentucky State University's Small Scale Farm Grant was created with the small farmer in mind. The grant application is simple to complete, and the funds can be used to purchase needed equipment related to a proposed project. Applicants can qualify for this grant under one of four categories: aquaculture, USDA certified organic, food insecure area, or value-added products. Farmers markets are often eligible. Previously approved projects have included canning equipment, a water line to a hoop house, a root cellar, a display refrigerator, a cool-bot for vegetables, freezers for keeping meat cool, and maple syrup equipment. Also, there is a separate education application to this program that will help farmers with up to $500 in educational expenses. 

Community Farm Alliance: Farmers Market Support Program and Kentucky Double Dollars Cost Share

Deadline: January 20, 2019
Funding Amount: Up to $4,000 for Double Dollars cost share - match required & up to $2,000 for Market Manager cost share - $1 for $1 match required
Eligible Entities: Kentucky farmers markets with at least five members that market a majority of their products from farms within 50 miles. 
Link: https://cfaky.org/programs/farmers-market-support-program/2019-farmers-market-support-program/
Overview: Community Farm Alliance's Farmers Market Support Program provides technical assistance to farmers markets in Kentucky. The program includes a market manager cost share, and a Kentucky Double Dollars cost share that helps boost SNAP, WIC, and Senior benefits. The goal of the program is to help farmers markets improve farm sales, increase their number of vendors, and work towards creating long-term sustainable local market places within our communities. This is a great opportunity to improve your local market!