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UDAF Grants

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food administers several grants to help further the development of the state’s agricultural and food industries. Information on open grants and previous grant programs can be found below. 
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OPEN GRANTS:
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UGIP Predatory Animal Control Grant

    •  2022 Application Window: Now Through June 17
    • Program Manager: Troy Forrest – tforrest@utah.gov, (435) 279-3603; Grant Contact: Regional GIP Coordinators
    • This grant is open to eligible livestock producers who have suffered predation losses and provides reimbursement for up to 50% of the cost of the contracted amount for practices used to stop or reduce predation. To apply, contact your regional GIP coordinator.

Utah Pollinator Habitat Program Grant

    • 2023 Application Window: May 1 – June 19
    • Contact: Mindy Wheeler, mindy.wheeler@usu.edu
    • This grant is intended to improve habitat for native pollinator and bee populations throughout the state; watersheds and habitat corridors that provide connectivity will be prioritized.
    • Selected applicants will be awarded up to a 25% cost-share through read-to-plant habitat kits including pre-selecting plants and seeds.

Agricultural Voluntary Incentives Program (AgVIP)

    • 2023 Application Window: Now Through July 31
    • Contact: Hannah Freeze – hfreeze@utah.gov, (385)227-2633
    • The Agricultural Voluntary Incentive Program (AgVIP) provides financial incentives to producers who participate in developing a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) to help maximize crop yields while staying in compliance with state water quality regulations. Eligible producers may receive a one-time $1,000 payment to work with a conservation planner to develop a CNMP and after one year of implementation, may be paid $12 per acre for areas covered in the CNMP.

LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund

    • 2023 Application Window: June 1 with pre-applications due by June 30, 2023, and final applications due September 1, 2023 (by invitation).
    • Contacts: Jeremy Christensen, jeremyc@utah.gov, 385.441.4106 Roberta Valdez, robertavaldez@utah.gov, 801.982.2226
    • Formerly known as the LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund, the Fund works to preserve or restore critical agricultural land in Utah by purchasing development rights on these critical lands.
    • This fund grant allows farmers and ranchers to continue to utilize their land for agriculture and secures Utah’s local food security. This program also helps maintain open space, which benefits wildlife and keeps Utah’s landscape open and beautiful.

Utah Grazing Improvement Program Grant

    • Application Window: Open Annually Through January 1. 
    • Program Manager: Troy Forrest – tforrest@utah.gov, (435) 279-3603; Grant Contact: Regional GIP Coordinators
    • The Utah Grazing Improvement Program (GIP) provides cost-share grants to rangers for rangeland improvements. Eligible projects include any restoration work that will improve rangeland health, productivity and management. In order for proposals to be competitive, a recommended request maximum is $100,000. Applicants are advised to work with their regional GIP coordinator for application assistance and more information. 
    • Project examples: elimination of invasive species, reseeding, livestock water development and improvements, fencing, grazing management planning, and any other projects that improve watershed and rangeland health and productivity.

The Soil Health Equipment Grant

    • 2023 Application Window: July 3 – August 18
    • Contact: Tony Richards, tdrichards@utah.gov, (435)452-2296
    • Eligible entities include organizations that work directly with farmers and ranchers such as local Conservation Districts.
    • The Soil Health Equipment Grant will assist farmers and ranchers in the conservation district areas with purchasing equipment linked to implementing soil health principles.
    • All grants will require a minimum of 20% match and equipment requested must be tied to implementing soil health

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.CLOSED GRANTS:

Agricultural Water Optimization Grant

  • 2023 Application Window Closed
  • Contact:  udaf-wateroptimization@utah.gov
  • The Agricultural Water Optimization Program provides grants of up to $500,000 for projects that reduce consumptive water use while maintaining or improving agricultural production and profitability while increasing operational flexibility for agricultural water users.

Invasive Species Mitigation Grant

  • FY 2023-2024 Application Window: February 14 – March 24, 2023
  • Contact: Aaron Eager – aeagar@utah.gov, (801)602-1961
  • The Invasive Species Mitigation Grant is a competitive grant that allocates funds to projects with noxious weed management strategies that have a high degree of potential success in Utah.
  • Eligible organizations include universities, cooperative weed management areas (CWMA’s), county weed boards, federal and state agencies, federal, state, tribal, and private landowners, conservation districts, nonprofits, and/or other political subdivisions.
  • Eligible activities include early detection and rapid response, treating critical acres that protect larger land use areas, monitoring and preventing the spread of small populations and new introductions, monitoring and rehabilitating established infestations, research related to invasive species.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

  • 2023 Farm Bill Specialty Crop Block Grant Application Window: February 22 – March 24, 2023
  • Contact: Caroline Hargraves, carolinehargraves@utah.gov
  • The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a competitive program that awards grants of up to $90,000 to eligible projects that enhance Utah’s specialty crop industry. Specialty crops include fruit, vegetables, nuts, horticulture products, etc.
  • Eligible applicants include producers, schools, trade associations, non-profits, farmers markets, farming and ranching co-ops, etc. headquartered in Utah.
  • Eligible projects must benefit more than one producer or organization and may include a broad range of focus such as improving marketing, research, training, certifications, plant health, etc. for specialty crops.

UGIP Small Livestock Producers Grant

    • 2022 Application window open through June 17, 2022
    • This grant is open to small livestock producers (50 animal units or less) for projects that will improve grazing management on federal, state, or private land.  A total of $100,000 is available with an award maximum of up to $10,000. To apply, contact your regional GIP coordinator.

Utah Food Security Processing Grant

  • 2023 Application Window Closed
  • Contact: foodsecuritygrant@utah.gov, (385)977-2147
  • This reimbursement grant is open to meat, poultry, and fruit and vegetable processors located in Utah with fewer than 100 employees who plan to make an immediate impact on the state’s capacity to process or store Utah raised protein or Utah grown products.
  • $1,000,000 total is available; award amounts will be dependent on the total amount of eligible applications received and approved.

Utah’s Own Brand Development Grant

    • 2022 applications are currently closed
    • Contact: Tamra Annett, tamraannett@utah.gov, (435)851-7137
    • The Utah’s Own Brand Development Grant is available to Utah’s Own companies to help reimburse costs associated with adding the Utah’s Own trademarked logo to product packaging. Identifying a product as “Utah’s Own” allows consumers to instantly identify products as being made in utah and part of a dynamic local food system. Matching grant costs include label/packaging design, printing, and other costs associated with adding the Utah’s Own logo onto labels and packaging. $10,000 is available annually with a maximum award per company of $1,000. 
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*For information on UDAF’s Agricultural Loan Program, click here.