The Maui News

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Micro-Grant for Food Security Program.

This is the third 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. A total of $2 million is available for this year’s program which was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 Farm Bill.

This year’s program is open to individuals, including backyard farmers for awards up to $5,000. Applicants must be a Hawaii resident, at least 18 years old and head of the household. Those previously granted awards under the MGFSP are ineligible.

The program is also open to organizations that are registered to do business in Hawaii, including Native Hawaiian, nonprofits, federally funded educational facilities for awards up to $10,000. Organizations receiving awards will be required to provide matching funds of at least 10 percent 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 HDOA Market Development Branch website at: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/add/md/. The Request for Proposals for organizations is posted on the State Procurement Office website at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/22883.

The deadline for all applications is noon on June 15.

A Zoom session that went over the application process can be found at the HDOA website at: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/add/md/.

Questions regarding the application process may addressed to HDOA’s Market Development Branch at (808) 973-9594 or email: hdoa.md.microgrants@hawaii.gov.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqecsKtfobykrctmpZ6vo2R%2FcX6SaGduZ5akvKV50p6arqqZqcZuvNGonquZnWK6qq%2FRqGSgqpGjwbR5wK%2BYoqSRl7mmecWrpqZlmJbEorXIZpueqJGnwa6xza1kqJ5dlrSztcKuo62topp8