Economic Development and Agriculture Markets
For more information, Contact Jason Harvey at Jason.harvey@odaff-staging.kochcomm.dev, 405-606-1477
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Services has provided special stimulus money to allocate to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and are encouraged to reflect a response to the impacts being caused by COVID-19. Research projects will not be accepted for H.R. 133 funding and are encouraged to apply for the FY22 SCBGP. Specialty crops include but are not limited to fruits and vegetables, culinary herbs, tree nuts, Christmas trees, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. ODAFF’s intent is to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Oklahoma’s specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent. Projects may include but are not limited to:
- Mitigating consumer and specialty crop producer issues caused by COVID-19
- Food Safety Education
- Expanded processing capacity
- Increasing consumer education on nutrition, access and preparation of specialty crops
- Developing or improving marketing channels for specialty crops
Eligibility
- Government agencies – local, state and tribal
- Individual producers
- Producer associations
- Community based organizations
- Specialty crop processors
- Colleges and universities
Project timeline
Grant proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on September, 24, 2021
Helpful links
- Specialty Crop Block Grant
- ODAFF administers funding received from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) each year. The amount of funding received by ODAFF is based on specialty crop acreage and production value on an annual basis. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must provide a benefit to more than just the applicant. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, culinary herbs, tree nuts, Christmas trees, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Projects will be evaluated on how well they enhance the competitiveness of Oklahoma’s specialty crops, soundness or plan, measurable outcomes and return on investment. Projects may include but are not limited to:
- Pest and disease control
- Enhancing food safety
- Developing new and improved seed varieties
- Increasing consumption of specialty crops
- Market development
- Developing good agricultural handling and manufacturing practices
- Eligibility
- Government agencies – local, state and federal
- Non-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Colleges and universities
- Projected timeline *subject to change by USDA*
- ODAFF administers funding received from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) each year. The amount of funding received by ODAFF is based on specialty crop acreage and production value on an annual basis. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must provide a benefit to more than just the applicant. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, culinary herbs, tree nuts, Christmas trees, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Projects will be evaluated on how well they enhance the competitiveness of Oklahoma’s specialty crops, soundness or plan, measurable outcomes and return on investment. Projects may include but are not limited to:
| February 2021 | Announce grant opportunity |
| March 19, 2021 | Application deadline |
| April 2021 | Evaluation and selection of applications |
| May 2021 | Oklahoma State Plan submitted to USDA-AMS |
| October 2021 | Award announcement from USDA-AMS |
| November 2021 | Disburse Contractual Agreements to Grantees |
| December 1, 2022 | 1st Annual Report Due |
- Helpful links
- Oklahoma Viticulture and Enology Grant
- Using tax revenue created from the sales of wine in Oklahoma, this fund awards projects that aim to advance the grape and wine industry in the state. Maximum award amount is $50,000. Projects must focus on one of the following areas:
- Scientific research
- Education
- Product development
- Producer outreach
- Marketing
- Eligibility
- Higher education institutions
- Government agencies – state or subdivisions of Oklahoma
- Trade groups promoting grape and wine production in Oklahoma
- Deadline will be June 10, 2021
- Application can be downloaded here
- Using tax revenue created from the sales of wine in Oklahoma, this fund awards projects that aim to advance the grape and wine industry in the state. Maximum award amount is $50,000. Projects must focus on one of the following areas:
The Oklahoma Healthy Food Financing Program provides financing for food retailers to provide heathy food in underserved communities that primarily serve low or moderate income communities. Applicants eligible for financing include, but are not limited to, sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, nonprofit community development entities, universities, and government entities
Eligible projects shall include, but are not limited to:
- Construction of new grocery stores
- Construction of small food retailers
- Grocery store or small food retailer renovations, expansions, and infrastructure upgrades that improve the availability and quality of fresh produce and other healthy foods
Proposals may be submitted as either a loan or a grant. Loan proposals are not limited to a specific dollar amount. Grants shall be limited to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00)
Approved applicants must agree:
- To accept SNAP benefits or other federal or state nutrition assistance programs.
- To accept WIC or other federal or state nutrition assistance programs.
- Allocate at least thirty percent (30%) of food retail space for the sale of perishable foods, which shall include fresh dairy, produce, meats, poultry, and fish.
- Hire local residents and
- Comply with data collection.
Deadline dates for submissions are January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st or the next regular business day if the Department offices are closed on the deadline date.
The Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program was designed to develop or improve uses for agricultural products, expand the state’s production of value-added products and to encourage diversified farming. The program provides funds in the form of grants or 0% interest loans. Proposals must clearly demonstrate the ability to directly benefit Oklahoma farmers and ranchers through the creation of new revenue streams. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and a legal resident of OK.
Deadline dates for submissions are January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st or the next regular business day if the Department offices are closed on the deadline date.
- Farm Diversification Grant
- Projects must diversify the farm or ranch to non-traditional crops or non-traditional livestock, on-farm processing of agricultural commodities or assist in the development of an agritourism venue that will promote access to a new market. Projects cannot be an extension or expansion of existing operations and must show the potential to create additional income for the farm unit. Grants are available in three levels not to exceed $10,000.
- Grants $2,500 or less requires no matching funds.
- Grants $2,501 – $5,000 require some level of cash or in-kind match in funds.
- Grants $5,001 – $10,000 require a dollar for dollar cash match.
- Tips for applying:
- Proposals should demonstrate a well-prepared business plan including potential income for the project and a realistic timeline for success.
- Market research relating to the project should be included.
- Advisors must be professionals in the field relating to the project and must be willing to assist applicants in fulfilling the project goals.
- Application
- Projects must diversify the farm or ranch to non-traditional crops or non-traditional livestock, on-farm processing of agricultural commodities or assist in the development of an agritourism venue that will promote access to a new market. Projects cannot be an extension or expansion of existing operations and must show the potential to create additional income for the farm unit. Grants are available in three levels not to exceed $10,000.
- Marketing and Utilization Loan
- Projects should assist in the development or implementation of a sound domestic or foreign marketing plan for Oklahoma agricultural products, by-products or agritourism venues. Projects may include feasibility studies, business plans, legal expenses, consultant fees, product development and marketing. Purchase of land, buildings and equipment is not allowed. There is no limit on funds applied for.
- Loans are a 0% interest rate with a 3-year deferred payment.
- Loans greater than $18,000 will have a 3 year annualized repayments
- Loans less than $18,000 will have to be a 5 year annualized repayment.
- Tips for applying:
- Proposals should demonstrate a well-prepared action plan including potential income for the project and a realistic timeline for success.
- Projects should be focused on product development and/or implementation of a sound marketing plan.
- Projects should seek new products, new markets or new marketing ideas.
- Job creation and economic stimulation should be illustrated in the project.
- Application
- Projects should assist in the development or implementation of a sound domestic or foreign marketing plan for Oklahoma agricultural products, by-products or agritourism venues. Projects may include feasibility studies, business plans, legal expenses, consultant fees, product development and marketing. Purchase of land, buildings and equipment is not allowed. There is no limit on funds applied for.
- Cooperative Marketing Loan
- Projects should promote productivity, provide added value to agricultural products, stimulate agricultural diversification and encourage processing innovations in agricultural products. A cooperative agreement, formal or informal, between entities or individuals is required to ensure proper accountability for the project.
- Tips for applying:
- Proposals should demonstrate a well-prepared business plan including potential income for the project.
- Projects should create an outlet for products that normally have not been marketed through an existing marketing cooperative.
- Advisors can be professionals in the field relating to the project, legal consultants, agricultural experts or economic development specialists. Consulting fees may be included in application budget.
- Application
- Basic and Applied Research Loan/Grant
- Projects should conduct research for the purpose of business creation or expansion focusing on agricultural products or by-products.
- Projects with end results that can be commercialized will be considered loans. All other projects will be considered grants.
- Tips for applying:
- Projects should not duplicate other research
- Applications should reasonably prove the likelihood of success of a marketable product
- Applications should demonstrate thoughtful planning and the potential of job creation.
- Application
- Agriculture Event Grant
- Projects should benefit the community and further the public interest in agriculture. Grants are available in three levels not to exceed $50,000.
- Grants $2,500 or less must show a projected economic impact up to $5,000.
- Grants $2,501 – $5,000 must show a projected economic impact of $5,001 to $75,000.
- Grants $5,001 – $50,000 must show a projected economic impact of more than $75,000.
- Tips for applying:
- Events should showcase agriculture to the public in new and innovative ways.
- Applications must show the projected economic impact to the community.
- A letter of support from the city or county government or the local Chamber of Commerce must accompany the application.
- Application
- Projects should benefit the community and further the public interest in agriculture. Grants are available in three levels not to exceed $50,000.