The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with North Dakota under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and North Dakota are working together to offer over $4.2 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. North Dakota is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through April 3, 2024.
In May 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $420 million through RFSI to strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories. RFSI is authorized by the American Rescue Plan. Updates for each state’s Request for Applications for the RFSI program are available on the AMS website.
“This partnership between USDA and North Dakota is allowing critical funding to reach areas of the supply chain that need it most,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The projects funded through this program will create new opportunities for the region’s small and midsize producers to thrive, expand access to nutritious food options, and increase supply chain resiliency.”
Using RFSI funding, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture will fund infrastructure projects that upgrade holding tanks on dairy farms, expand packaging facilities, purchase equipment that addresses food handling safety, and assist with the expansion of intermodal facilities. The state’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to better understand their needs.
“Through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, we will strengthen our supply chain and reduce bottlenecks to protect against disruptions,” said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “People living in rural areas and small to medium sized communities will benefit from increased efficiencies.”
Those interested in receiving a subaward should apply directly through the North Dakota Department of Agriculture by April 3, 2024. AMS encourages applications that serve smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities.
For more information, visit the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.
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USDA – 2024
