Program Overview

The Alaska Division of Agriculture has received over $2.2 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to support the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. The purpose of the RFSI program is to assist U.S. states and territories in building resiliency in the middle of the food supply chain by strengthening local and regional food systems, creating more diverse local and regional market options, increasing economic opportunities for communities, and opening new revenue streams for producers.

Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products excluding meat and poultry. Emphasis will be made to fund projects that benefit historically underserved farmers and ranchers, businesses that qualify under SBA categories of small, disadvantaged businesses, women- owned small businesses, and veteran- owned small businesses.

The RFSI program is targeted specifically for processing and aggregation/distribution stages of the food supply chain. Production activities are not eligible for this grant program. This is a one-time only funded program through USDA AMS to U.S. State and Territory Departments of Agriculture.

Grants Available

The Alaska Division of Agriculture has been awarded $2,217,448.20 from USDA AMS to award competitive grants to Alaska food and farm businesses and other eligible entities.

Two grant types are being offered: Infrastructure Grants and Simplified Equipment-Only Grants. Per USDA guidelines, Applicants may only apply for one of these grant types. Applicants are not permitted to apply for both. The Division will be prioritizing infrastructure grant projects that focus on:

• Expanding processing capacities, including adding product types, increasing production volumes, and supporting new wholesale/ retail product lines.
• Purchase and installation of specialized equipment, such as processing components, sorting equipment, packing and labeling equipment, or delivery vehicles.
• Modernizing equipment or facilities through upgrades, repairs, or retooling.
• Increasing storage space, including cold storage.
• Construction of a new facility.

Ineligible Activities:

• Acquiring real property (including land purchases) or any interest therein;
• Projects focused on meat and poultry processing or other ineligible agricultural products;
• Activities that receive or have received a Federal award from another Federal award program
• Claim expenses that have been or will be reimbursed under any Federal, State, or local government funding.

A full list of eligible project types and eligible entities will be available in the Request for Proposals.

Simplified Equipment Only Grants:

The Division is allocating 15% of the total grant award for the purpose of issuing Simplified Equipment Only Projects. These grant projects will be between the amounts of $10,000- $100,000 for equipment only purchases. The Simplified Equipment Only option is a Fixed Price Grant, and the awarded amount will be equal to the cost of the equipment up to $100,000. Freight cost can be included. No match will be required.

Infrastructure Grants:

The Division is allocating the remainder of the grant award, minus grant administration, to Infrastructure Grants. The minimum amount for these grants will be $100,000.00. The maximum award amount is $1,000,000.00. Infrastructure grant recipients will be required to contribute 50% of the total proposed project costs as a match to federal funding unless they qualify for reduced matching funds under the SBA categories of small, disadvantaged businesses and historically underserved farmers and ranchers. Infrastructure Grant recipients will receive a 25% advance payment to begin their project, the remainder of the funds will be distributed with proof of cost.

Eligible Products:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Dried fruits
• Dairy
• Grains for human consumption
• Aquaculture
• Other food products (for human consumption)

Ineligible Products:

• Meat
• Poultry
• Wild caught seafood
• Animal feed and forage products
• Fiber
• Landscaping products
• Floriculture
• Hemp and Cannabis
• Dietary Supplements

How to Apply:

• Download and read the Alaska Division of Agriculture Request for Applications document.
• Review the application resources below.
• Complete the RFSI application template and required attachments and email along with supporting documentation to dnr.scbg@alaska.gov subject line: “RFSI Application and Applicant Name.”
  
  2024 RFSI Request For Applications
  Collaborating Organization Template
  Critical Resource Infrastructure Template
  Verification of Matching Funds Template
  The following two PDFs need to saved to your computer and opened using a PDF viewer.
  RFSI Equipment Only Grant Template
  RFSI_Infrastructure Grant Template
  

Application Resources:

RFSI Program Overview Webinar
RFSI Detailed Discussion + Q&A Webinar 2/12/24
RFSI FAQ's Webinar 2/27/24
RFSI Presentation: A Detailed Overview
RFSI Program Scope and Requirements
USDA AMS General Terms and Conditions
RFSI Specific Terms and Conditions
Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
SBA Categories

Federal Requirements:

For funded grant projects associated with the purchase of iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials permanently installed, awardees must follow the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act. In addition, any special purpose equipment purchased using RFSI grant funds are subject to section 8.2 of the AMS General Terms and Conditions.

Grant recipients must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and all other federal and state environmental laws and regulations.

Contact Us:

For questions about the RFSI program, please contact either:
Amanda Swanson, Marketing and Grants Manager, at 907-761-3869 or amanda.swanson@alaska.gov
Kristi Short, Program Coordinator, at 907-761-3858 or kristi.short@alaska.gov