2023 Micro-Grants Available
The Micro-Grants for Adirondack Farms and Value-Added Producers provide funding for the implementation of environmentally-beneficial and sustainable projects. The program has been made possible with funding support from the Klipper Family Fund and subsequent contributions from generous individuals and foundations.
2023-2024 Grant Cycle
The grant period for the 2023 request for proposals is now closed. Please check back in early March 2024 for next year’s application and program details.
Competitive awards will be made in all three of the following levels:
Tier 1: up to $1,500 for projects on small farms or value-added producers so that those businesses might adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, or improve or restore environmental health.
Tier 2: Larger businesses – those with greater acreage, employees, or gross sales -- will be eligible to apply for more competitive $3,000 grants.
Tier 3: Grant applications that feature partnerships between farms or value-added businesses that are tackling sustainability efforts at a community scale may apply for up to $8,000 in funding to offset projects. For instance, projects that empower several businesses to collaborate on addressing an environmental issue by sharing resources, technologies, equipment, or tools will be eligible for additional funding. Proposed projects will be scored against one another competitively regardless of the applicant’s tier.
Funded projects will demonstrate an objective environmental benefit, which may include improving soil health or water quality, reducing carbon emissions, conserving energy, or other environmentally healthy and sustainable farming or processing efforts. Preference will also be given to applicants identifying as a traditionally underserved population or projects that address social or economic inequities among business owners and/or their employees.
Eligible applicants are commercial farms within the Park and value-added producers who use a majority of inputs that originate from within the Adirondack Park. For projects involving 3 or more collaborating entities, each entity named must be eligible by the same general criteria.
Please note that a panel of reviewers from a variety of organizations, as well as Council staff and board members, will score applications and select recipients.
Evaluation Criteria
- Completed application, including a detailed project budget.
- Project proposal aligns with and fulfills the program’s purpose and Essex Farm Institute’s mission and vision.
- The applying farm/business is operated within the Adirondack Park, satisfies eligibility criteria, and will be able to fulfill the reporting requirements.
Application Deadline & Other Important Dates
- Application Deadline – April 10, 2023
- Grant Recipients Announced – April 24, 2023
- Grant Checks Mailed – early May 2023
- Monitoring Visits – October-November 2023
- Reporting Requirements Due – March 15, 2024
How to Apply
Please click HERE to apply. Farms and businesses are limited to one application per grant cycle. Farm businesses listed as co-applicants for Tier III applications may not apply as single entities.
All applications must be submitted here unless an applicant prefers to submit a paper copy. To request a paper copy of the application, please call (518) 810-4648 and leave a message including an address for where the application should be sent.
Questions?
Please email any questions to microgrants@adirondackcouncil.org.,
