By Scout Nelson
South Dakota's agricultural industry is thriving thanks to the USDA AMS's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program. The $3,267,865 grant, managed by the state's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, aims to strengthen the food supply chain, improve market access, and promote value-added agriculture.
The RFSI program's goal is to bolster the resilience, security, and diversity of local food systems. This is achieved through a combination of financial support and technical assistance, fostering partnerships and encouraging collaboration.
This investment, particularly focusing on the mid-segment of the food supply chain, aims to bridge critical gaps, benefiting producers, consumers, and rural communities.
Starting in March, the Department of Agriculture (DANR) will accept applications for Infrastructure Grants under the RFSI program, starting at $100,000.
These grants aim to enhance capacity and infrastructure in sectors like aggregation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products, addressing the significant need for expanding processing capacities and supporting new product lines.
A notable aspect of these grants is the cost-sharing requirement. While general applicants must contribute 50% of the total proposed project cost, there's a concession for historically underserved farmers and qualifying small businesses, where the contribution is reduced to 25%.
The scope of infrastructure projects is broad, encompassing activities like expanding processing capacities, modernizing systems, enhancing worker safety, and complying with food safety requirements, among others.
The RFSI program also introduces Simplified Equipment-Only Grants, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with no matching funds required. This grant type exclusively funds equipment purchases.
Eligible industries for these grants include specialty crops, dairy, grains, aquaculture, and various food products, excluding meat and poultry.
For more detailed information on eligibility, application processes, and timelines, interested parties should visit the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources website or contact their team for assistance.
This strategic investment by the USDA AMS in South Dakota's agriculture is a significant step towards strengthening the state’s food supply chain and supporting its agribusiness sector.
Photo Credit - usda
Categories: South Dakota, Government & Policy