The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has $1,000,000 available for local food and agriculture businesses through the Utah Food Security Grant (UFSG). This grant aims to increase the security of Utah’s food supply chain by increasing the in-state processing of agricultural products grown and raised in Utah.

“The Food Security Grant has quickly become one of the most popular and successful grants provided by UDAF,” said Kelly Pehrson, UDAF Commissioner. “We are proud to continue to offer this grant opportunity to strengthen local food processing and help prevent potential food shortages.”

The UFSG program was created in 2022 with an initial one-time $1 million investment by the State Legislature; the success of the program was continued with three additional $1 million appropriations during the 2023-2025 legislative sessions. During the program’s first three years, $3 million in grant awards was awarded to 56 businesses across the state. This program has been highly successful, benefiting local farms and ranches, processing businesses, and consumers while reducing food waste and transportation costs.

This year, grant awards will be capped at $200,000. There is no minimum award, and $20,000 will be held for microgrants of $5,000 or less. At least $500,000 will be awarded to meat and poultry businesses. Eligible entities include for-profit, non-profit, producer co-op, and state and local governments. All grant-funded activities must result in the sale of processed products; ineligible activities include homesteading, research, land purchases, and payroll, among others.

Grant Q&A sessions will be held for anyone who has questions about the grant application or the qualification requirements on May 7th from 6-8pm and June 4th from 11am-1pm.

The application opened on May 1st, and will close on June 8, 2025 at 11:59pm. For more information, to register for a Q&A session, and for the link to apply, please visit ag.utah.gov/foodsecuritygrant or email [email protected].

On April 24, 2025, Governor Spencer J. Cox issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency due to drought conditions in 17 Utah counties, including Washington, Iron, San Juan, Kane, Juab, Emery, Grand, Beaver, Garfield, Piute, Millard, Tooele, Uintah, Carbon, Sevier, Sanpete, and Wayne counties.

This declaration unlocks access to various state and federal financial resources and programs aimed at supporting individuals, agricultural producers, and communities affected by the drought. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is working closely with other state agencies and partners to identify and distribute these resources effectively.

What this means for you:

• Increased Availability of Aid: This declaration triggers processes that can lead to financial assistance for those impacted by water shortages.
• Focus on Affected Areas: Resources will be prioritized for the counties experiencing the most severe drought conditions.
• Coordination of Support: State agencies will work together to streamline the delivery of aid and support services.

Learn more here.

Utah’s Own invites the community to celebrate local food and farm-fresh goods at its inaugural Spring Market, happening Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9 AM to 2 PM at Oliver’s Place in Pleasant Grove. As a program of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), the mission of Utah’s Own is to support and promote Utah’s agriculture, food, and Utah-sourced products.

This inaugural Spring Market provides a great opportunity to engage with more than 25 Utah’s Own businesses that are ready to share their homegrown and handcrafted products with the community. As a fifth-generation family farm, Oliver’s Place boasts a rich agricultural heritage, making it the ideal location for the market. Oliver’s Place is also home to Hee Haw Farms, a farm store, and other fun agritourism activities. Attendees can look forward to a beautiful venue while discovering a diverse array of locally sourced goods, including:

• Fresh beef from Utah’s hardworking ranchers.
• Delicious, handcrafted artisanal foods.
• Locally made spices, sauces, sweet treats, and body care products.

“We are thrilled to launch our first annual Spring Market at the beautiful Oliver’s Place,” said Emily Ashby, Program Manager of Utah’s Own. “This event is a fantastic way for the community to directly support our dedicated Utah’s Own members, experience our local food and agriculture community, and learn about the incredible products being created right here in our state.”

Event Details:

• What: 1st Annual Utah’s Own Spring Market
• When: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 9 AM – 2 PM
• Where: Oliver’s Place, 125 S 2000 W, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
• Who: Open to the public

Members of the media are invited to attend. Interview opportunities with Utah’s Own representatives and participating members will be available.

About Utah’s Own:

Utah’s Own is the official state program of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food dedicated to promoting Utah’s agriculture and food industries. By connecting consumers with local producers, Utah’s Own aims to strengthen the state’s economy, preserve agricultural heritage, and foster a vibrant local food system.

Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Kelly Pehrson as the new Commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), pending confirmation by the Utah State Senate. Pehrson’s appointment follows the retirement of former Commissioner Craig Buttars.

Governor Cox previously appointed Pehrson to serve as Interim Commissioner, effective March 8, 2025 — his second time leading the department in an interim capacity. Pehrson has served as Deputy Commissioner since 2019 and brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and leadership experience to the role.

“Kelly Pehrson has been a steady, trusted leader at UDAF for years, and I’m grateful he’s willing to take on this new role,” said Gov. Cox. “He understands the needs of our agricultural communities and has the experience and vision to help Utah’s agriculture industry continue to grow and adapt.”

Before joining UDAF, Pehrson spent a decade in public service in San Juan County, where he served as City Manager of Monticello and later as the county’s Chief Administrative Officer. A Monticello native, Pehrson earned a degree in Business Management from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

“I’m honored and humbled to serve as Commissioner,” said Pehrson. “Utah’s farmers, ranchers and producers are at the heart of our economy and our heritage. I look forward to working alongside them to support innovation, resilience, and responsible stewardship of our resources.”

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, established in 1921, is one of the state’s oldest agencies. It oversees programs that support Utah agriculture, protect the food supply, and conserve natural resources. They spearhead key initiatives like the Utah Grazing Improvement Program, the Agricultural Water Optimization Program, and the Utah Food Security Program.

UDAF also inspects food retailers and processors for safety and pricing accuracy, promotes local products through Utah’s Own, and protects the state’s livestock industry from disease and invasive pests.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) Agriculture Voluntary Incentive Program (Ag VIP), is now accepting applications for the 2025 application period. Ag VIP is a voluntary, incentive-based program to help producers implement nutrient management and other agricultural best practices on their farm or ranch.

“Ag VIP is an amazing program that encourages farmers and ranchers to implement practices that can increase crop yields, improve soil health, and add value to agriculture operations, while improving water quality,” said Kelly Pehrson, UDAF Interim Commissioner. “We are proud to continue to offer this effective opportunity for Utah’s farmers and ranchers.”

Ag VIP is open to crop and irrigated pasture operations of any size. Because it is a voluntary program, participation and progress, while implementing conservation plans, are entirely self-directed. As this is an incentive program, the effort invested by the farm or ranch, directly reflects the benefits they receive.

Based on participant’s feedback, this year’s program has been updated, including a new tiered incentive structure. These changes will allow the program to serve producers with a wider range of practices in addition to nutrient management, such as soil health, irrigation water management, and integrated pest management. 

Program participants will have the opportunity to:

• Discuss their agricultural operation with a UDAF conservation planner & fill out a yearly conservation evaluation assessment
• Work with their assigned planner to explore new practices and develop a comprehensive conservation plan
• Receive implementation guidance, annual incentive payments, a one-time improvement bonus, and additional technical & financial resources

Applications will be accepted through May 30, 2025 at 5:00pm. To access the application and to learn more, visit ag.utah.gov/agvip or contact Program Manager, Katie Ottmann, at [email protected].