The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with Oregon under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Oregon are working together to offer $5.9 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. Oregon is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through Feb. 29, 2024.
In May 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $420 million through RFSI to strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories. RFSI is authorized by the American Rescue Plan.
“This partnership between USDA and Oregon is allowing critical funding to reach areas of the supply chain that need it most,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The projects funded through this program will create new opportunities for the region’s small and midsize producers to thrive, expand access to nutritious food options, and increase supply chain resiliency.”
Using RFSI funding, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will fund projects that build resilience across the middle of the food supply chain in the state by creating additional, new, and better markets for locally and regionally produced food. The funding will also be used to enhance worker safety through the adoption of new technologies and investments in equipment or facility improvements. The state’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to better understand their needs.
“We value our partnership with USDA and the funding to strengthen and provide capacity in Oregon’s food supply chain,” said Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson. “The opportunity this grant presents for our underserved communities, small-mid size farms, and our processors to modernize their operations ensures that our agriculture businesses can thrive and continue to support local communities through family wage jobs and to provide value added Oregon products to our consumers.”
Those interested in receiving a subaward should apply directly through the Oregon Department of Agriculture by 12 p.m. PT on Feb. 29, 2024. AMS encourages applications that serve smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities.
Through the program and in addition to the Infrastructure Grant funding, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will support supply chain coordination and technical assistance to farmers and food businesses operating in processing, aggregation and distribution—all critical activities to support access to more and better markets for farmers.
Source : usda.gov