Micro-Grants for Food Security Program

Background
The Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to assist agricultural agencies or departments in eligible states and territories to enhance the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food insecure communities. This is achieved through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations by competitively distributing subawards to eligible entities. The program also promotes climate-resilient landscapes and rural economic systems.

Grant Details
The MGFSP will provide approximately $4.75 million in funding for fiscal year 2026. Eligible applicants include state or territory departments, divisions, or agencies of agriculture in specific regions such as Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, and others. The program encourages the competitive distribution of funds through subawards to eligible entities that can implement activities to increase local food production. Eligible activities include small-scale gardening, herding, livestock operations, and expanding access to food security knowledge. Each subaward may not exceed three years in duration, with individual applicants capped at $5,000 per year and eligible entities at $10,000 per year.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are state or territory departments of agriculture from Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Subaward eligible entities include individuals, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations focused on food security (e.g., food banks), federally funded educational facilities (e.g., public schools), job training programs, and local or tribal governments that cannot levy taxes.

Period of Performance
The grant period of performance is four years starting no later than September 30, 2026 and ending no later than September 29, 2030.

Grant Value
The total value available for grants under this program is approximately $4.75 million. Individual grant awards may be up to $5,000 per year for individual applicants and up to $10,000 per year for eligible entities.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed in various eligible states and territories including Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico among others.