Farmer to Farmer 2025

Background
The Gulf of America Division (GAD), part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, is involved in the Great Water Body program aimed at protecting, maintaining, and restoring the health and productivity of the Gulf of America. The initiative seeks to improve water quality, enhance natural habitats, and bolster the region's resilience against storm events. This grant opportunity aims to fund projects that collaborate with American farmers to improve water quality and habitat while aligning with the Administration’s 'Powering the Great American Comeback' initiative.

Grant Details
The funding opportunity focuses on four main activities:

1) Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship: Projects should facilitate knowledge transfer among farmers to adopt regenerative practices over 3-5 years.

2) Demonstrating Regenerative Farming Benefits through Monitoring: Assess the impact of regenerative practices on nutrient reduction and erosion.

3) Innovative Technologies for Regenerative Farming: Develop or demonstrate technologies that enhance water quality by reducing nutrient loss.

4) Habitat Improvement for Nutrient and Soil Management: Collaborate with farmers to create or restore habitats that improve water quality. Each project must include a detailed mentoring plan, monitoring objectives, and a budget narrative outlining how funds will support project tasks.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, State & Local Governments, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and Nonprofit organizations. Ineligible applicants are international organizations, certain nonprofit organizations engaged in lobbying, for-profit organizations, federal agencies, and individuals. Applications must demonstrate activities taking place within the Gulf of America watershed or contiguous zone in the U.S., comply with specified content requirements, identify a primary focus area for evaluation, and include anticipated environmental results.

Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance for awarded projects is five years.

Grant Value
The total funding available is $50 million, with individual awards expected to range between $1.5 million and $2.5 million. Approximately 20-30 awards are anticipated under this announcement.

Place of Performance
Project activities must occur within the Gulf of America watershed or within the United States contiguous zone in the Gulf of America.