The location of your project does not determine your eligibility. On-farm projects are eligible for RFSI funding as long as they focus on eligible middle-of-the-supply-chain activities and not production or harvest.
For example, the purchase of an irrigation system for a vegetable farm would not be eligible, because it is infrastructure used for the production stage of the food supply chain. The construction of an on-farm processing facility or commercial kitchen to produce a value-added vegetable product would be eligible.
Yes, construction costs may also include “soft costs” or pre-build costs tied to construction. These could include administrative or legal expenses, relocation expenses, architectural and engineering fees, or project inspection fees, as long as they occur after your grant contract agreement has been executed.
Yes, construction costs may also include “soft costs” or pre-build costs tied to construction. These could include administrative or legal expenses, relocation expenses, architectural and engineering fees, or project inspection fees, as long as they occur after your grant contract agreement has been executed.
“Developing, customizing, or installing climate-smart equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases efficiency in water use, improves air and/or water quality, and/or meets one of the USDA’s climate action goals” is listed as one of the eligible project examples in the RFSI Program Scope and Requirements (below). Installations of solar panels and equipment, along with other costs or activities related to mitigating and adapting to climate change, are allowable as part of your grant budget.
“Developing, customizing, or installing climate-smart equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases efficiency in water use, improves air and/or water quality, and/or meets one of the USDA’s climate action goals” is listed as one of the eligible project examples in the RFSI Program Scope and Requirements (below). Installations of solar panels and equipment, along with other costs or activities related to mitigating and adapting to climate change, are allowable as part of your grant budget.
Yes, you can include the costs for wells, water treatment, or wastewater management infrastructure in your grant budget, as long as these items are connected and necessary to your eligible middle-of-the-supply-chain project.
Yes, you can include the costs for wells, water treatment, or wastewater management infrastructure in your grant budget, as long as these items are connected and necessary to your eligible middle-of-the-supply-chain project.
No, your travel budget is only intended to cover costs for project-related travel, except that of contractual personnel. Project-related travel costs can include costs such as mileage or per diem to attend trainings or conferences related to your project or for you to drive to pick up equipment you are buying for your project. Travel costs cannot include general operational costs, such as mileage for delivery routes.
No, your travel budget is only intended to cover costs for project-related travel, except that of contractual personnel. Project-related travel costs can include costs such as mileage or per diem to attend trainings or conferences related to your project or for you to drive to pick up equipment you are buying for your project. Travel costs cannot include general operational costs, such as mileage for delivery routes.
Special purpose vehicles necessary to the scope of work for your project, such as delivery vehicles or refrigerated trucks, are allowable as an equipment item under RFSI. However, the purchase of a general-use vehicle is not allowable. There is more information on what is considered special purpose equipment on page 33 of the RFP.