USDA Highlights Business Builder Grants for Small and Mid-Sized Farm and Food Businesses

Courtesy of NAA:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested a total of $124 million in Business Builder grants to support small and mid-sized farm and food businesses by funding projects that increase business viability, develop regional market opportunities, and expand value chain capacity.

The Business Builder grants are being offered through USDA’s 12 Regional Food Business Centers (RFBC) and is a part of their work to support a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system by providing localized assistance to access local and regional supply chains, including linking producers to wholesalers and distributors.

Recent Business Builder Announcements

Today’s announcement includes $25 million in Business Builder grants announced earlier this week that will be made available through the National Intertribal Food Business Center (NIFBC). The NIFBC’s Business Builder grant program supports small and mid-sized farm and food businesses across Indian Country. NIFBC, led by the Intertribal Agriculture Council, works to create new markets and expand current linkages throughout the supply chain, directing resources to food system revitalization efforts among American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The Center’s Business Builder program provides strategic investment to enhance economic opportunities in rural and remote areas not functionally reached by the other Regional Food Business Centers.

Additionally, earlier this month, USDA announced $4 million in Business Builder grants to be made available through the Southwest Regional Food Business Center for businesses in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California.

Upcoming Regional Food Business Center Announcements

Over the coming months, USDA will finalize Business Builder programs with six Regional Food Business Centers, adding to the six Business Builder Programs already launched in 2024. To date, $7.8 million has been made available through the RFBC Business Builder program, with $116 million in remaining funding to be awarded by December 2027 across the country.

Launching in 2025:

Delta RFBC, Total Award Amount: $9.9 million
Great Lakes Midwest RFBC, Total Award Amount: $6.8 million
Islands and Remote Areas RFBC, Total Award Amount: $8.1 million
Northeast RFBC, Total Award Amount: $15.9 million
Rio Grande Colonias RFBC, Total Award Amount: $6.6 million
Southeast RFBC, Total Award Amount: $6.1 million

Of the six RFBCs launched in 2024, the Northwest/Rocky Mountain and Southwest RFBCs are currently accepting applications.

Northwest and Rocky Mountain RFBC, Total Award Amount: $6.8 million
Southwest RFBC, Total Award Amount: $4 million
Appalachia RFBC, Total Award Amount: $16.5 million
Heartland RFBC, Total Award Amount: $11.2 million
North Central RFBC, Total Award Amount: $3 million
IAC | Intertribal Food Business Center, Total Award Amount: $25 million

In May 2023, USDA awarded $360 million to finalists to establish 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers, including a National Intertribal Food Business Center, to provide essential local and regional food systems coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building. The 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers provide financial assistance through their unique Business Builder programs to support farm and food businesses producing in, sourcing from, and focused on local and regional markets. Business Builder grants are for small and mid-sized food and farm businesses, including agricultural producers, processors, aggregators, distributors, and other businesses within each center’s region.

More information can be found on the Regional Food Business Centers website.

Blog