SPARKS, Nev. -
February 28, 2024The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS), are offering $1.2 million in grant funding for
projects set to improve the food supply chain through the Resilient Food
Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. Funding will be awarded to projects
supporting and improving the middle of the food supply chain.
“Improvement to the food supply chain is
critical for the future of agriculture and food access in Nevada,” said NDA
Director J.J. Goicoechea. “Investment in the infrastructure of our food supply
chain means more of our producers can bring their products to consumers.”
RFSI was created to improve processing and distribution
options for local and regional producers across specialty crops, dairy, grain
(for food), and other sectors by targeting gaps and opportunities to support
the agricultural supply chain. There are two types of awards being offered with
this funding, Infrastructure Grants and Simplified Equipment-Only Grants, and applicants
are only eligible to receive one.
RFSI grants must focus on projects supporting
the middle-of-the-supply-chain such as expanding processing capacities,
modernizing equipment and information technology systems, or implementing
climate-smart equipment, and start at $100,000 with a required 50% match. The
Simplified Equipment-Only Grants start at $10,000 to be used towards on-site
middle-of-the-supply-chain equipment such as a walk-in cooler or special-use
equipment.
Learn more about RFSI and apply at agri.nv.gov/Administration/Grant_Opportunities.
About the Nevada Department of Agriculture
The Nevada
Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and
promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees
providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal
Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and
Compliance. The department’s $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and
administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries,
protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing
food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of
Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.
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