Kauai residents eligible for $5,000 Micro-Grant for Food Security

The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity announced Jan. 21 that it is accepting applications for the fifth year of its Micro-Grant for Food Security Program, offering $5,000 to eligible individuals to boost local food production in food-insecure communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved $2,235,220 for this year’s program under funding authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.

Individual applicants, including backyard farmers, may receive up to $5,000. Applicants must be Hawai‘i residents, at least 18 years old and head of household. Organizations registered to do business in Hawai‘i, including Native Hawaiian organizations, nonprofits and federally funded educational facilities, are eligible for awards up to $10,000 and must provide matching funds of at least 10%.

Consideration for awards will be based on the project description, the number of beneficiaries and the anticipated production of the project. Previous awardees are not eligible for this year’s grant program, a change intended to broaden participation and direct funds toward new or expanding local efforts.

Eligible uses of grant funds encompass a wide range of small-scale agricultural investments. Examples include small-scale gardening needs such as tools, soil, seeds and plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, composting equipment, towers and systems for hydroponic and aeroponic farming. Small-scale herding and livestock operations may use awards to purchase animals or to buy, erect or repair fencing. Apiary-related costs are also eligible. The grants are designed to increase both the quantity and the quality of locally grown food in communities facing food insecurity.

For Kauai County residents, the program presents an opportunity to scale up home and community food production without the large capital outlays typically required for farm expansion. Funds could help shore up ohana gardens, support small livestock projects on homesteads, or expand school or nonprofit food programs that serve vulnerable populations. The restriction on repeat awardees and the emphasis on demonstrated beneficiaries means projects that clearly serve neighbors, schools or community food programs may have stronger prospects.

Applications are due by noon on Feb. 19. The online application form and program details for individuals are available on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Market Development Branch website. For questions about the application process, callers may contact 808-973-9594 or email dab.md.microgrants@hawaii.gov.

For Kauai residents weighing whether to apply, now is the time to prepare a concise project description that outlines who will benefit and how much food the project is expected to produce. With federal funding in place and a short window to apply, the program could provide a tangible boost to local food resilience this year.