The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of up to $9.5 million for Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2023. The cooperative agreements support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. They are part of USDA’s broader efforts to support urban agriculture.
Eligible Recipients:
- County governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Special district governments
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- City or township governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Independent school districts
Eligible Projects:
- Generate compost.
- Increase access to compost for agricultural producers.
- Reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer.
- Improve soil quality.
- Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.
- Increase rainwater absorption.
- Reduce municipal food waste; and
- Divert food waste from landfills.
OUAIP will prioritize projects that anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits, incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to farmers, including community gardeners, integrate other food waste strategies, including food recovery efforts and collaborate with multiple partners.
Funding Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service – NHQ – Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP)
Funding Amount: The federal funding agency will award approximately $9.5 million through this opportunity. However, the agency retains the discretion to award a larger or lesser amount.
Deadline: Applicants must submit their applications through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 15, 2023.
Contact:
Melanie Krizmanich
Grantor
Email: melanie.krizmanich@usda.gov
More Information:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/usda-announces-cooperative-agreements-for-compost-and-food-waste-reduction