

Local Foods Resiliency Grant
Round III
Jefferson County Economic Development, with funding provided by Jefferson County, is now accepting applications for this competitive grant designed to increase local food production, processing and food based tourism within Jefferson County. To apply, click on the button below and complete the easy online form and click submit. This is an open application period. There is not a deadline to apply. However, when funding is exhausted, applictions will no longer be accepted. For the best chance to receive an award, apply as soon as possible.
Grants are available for the following areas:
Value Added Grants
Use this grant program to apply for up to $10,000 in grant funds to help increase value added food production from your farm or business.
It is the intent of this program to provide funding to stimulate increased production and processing capacity within the five major food groups as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those food groups are
Fruits – processing in Jefferson County that adds value to whole fruit and non-alcoholic fruit juices grown in Jefferson County.
Vegetables – processing in Jefferson County that adds value to whole vegetables or vegetable based products grown in Jefferson County.
Grains – processing that adds value to whole or refined grains grown in Jefferson County.
Protein Foods – processing in Jefferson County that adds value to proteins grown in Jefferson County
Dairy – processing in Jefferson County that adds value to milk from mammals located in Jefferson County.
Honey and Maple Syrup – while fats, oils and sweets were removed from the USDA Food pyramid, it is recognized that honey and maple syrup contain some nutritional value and have value as a locally produced food sweetener. Projects that process honey or tree sap into value added products are eligible.
Production Grants
Use this grant program to apply for up to $10,000 in grant funds to help increase the production of fruits, vegetables, plants, livestock, poultry and seafood from your farm or business.
It is the intent of this program to provide funding to stimulate increased local food production capacity within the five major food groups as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those food groups are
Fruits – Projects that add to increased production of locally grown fruits, sold in Jefferson County.
Vegetables – Projects that add to the increased production of locally grown vegetables, sold in Jefferson County.
Grains – Projects that increase production of locally grown grains, that are sold in Jefferson County.
Protein Foods – Projects that increase locally grown proteins, animal or plant based, sold in Jefferson County.
Dairy – Projects that increase production or quality of milk from mammals that is directly sold in Jefferson County.
Honey and Maple Syrup – while fats, oils and sweets were removed from the USDA Food pyramid, it is recognized that honey and tree (i.e. maple) syrup contain some nutritional value and have value as a locally produced food sweetener. Projects that increase production of honey or tree sap prior to processing are eligible.
Food Based Agritourism
New to the Food Resiliency Grant Program, we will accept applications that request funding to increase the capacity for food based agritourism. Projects might consist of building a better farm stand, purchasing a better display for a farmers market, creating brochures, signage or a website for your food based business. The request cannot include a request for advertising.
Tax Liability/Insurance Requirements/ Cash Match Requirements
1. Grant recipients will be issued a IRS 1099 Tax Form at the completion of the completion of their project. Grant recipients may incur a tax liability for the funds received. Please consult your tax consultant on how best to handle any tax liability for the funds received.
2. Any unused funds will be allocated back into the grant program for other projects.
3. Applications accepted for funding will need to submit three certificates of insurance naming Jefferson County, Jefferson County Local Development Corporation, and Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency as co-insured. The Liability Policy must have a minimum value of $1,000,000 in coverage.
A 10% cash match is required. if your application is successful, you will need to demonstrate your 10% cash match requirement has been met, before you receive reimbursement for the remaining 90% of project costs.
For example, if your total project cost is $10,000, you may apply for $9,000 and will be expected to contribute $1,000 of your money towards the project.
Apply Now!
To apply, click the button. It takes you to an online form. You can submit the form online or print it out and mail it in. If you have questions, call Jay Matteson at 315-782-5865 x 232 or email coordinator@comefarmwithus.com. If you prefer, we can mail or email you an application form. Once we receive your application we will contact you soon afterwards to set up a visit to review your application with you.