Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements

Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are available for an estimated $75,000 – $400,000. Projects must be 2 years long and based on a start date of January 31, 2025.

Applications are due by September 4, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. A 25% match of nonfederal money is required; this may be provided in cash, services, materials, equipment, or in kind donations.

Eligibility

Photo by Sippakorn Yamkasikorn: https://www.pexels.com/photo/earthworms-on-a-persons-hand-3696170/

This funding opportunity is open to:

  • Local governments
  • Special district governments (soil and water conservation districts, regional planning districts, landfill districts, etc.)
  • Native American tribal governments
  • School districts
  • Tribal organizations

Program Goals

Food Waste Reduction Goals

  • Reduce municipal food waste
  • Divert residential and commercial food waste from landfills

Composting and Conservation Goals

  • Create compost
  • Increase agricultural producers’ access to compost
  • Limit the use of chemical fertilizer by reducing reliance on it
  • Improve soil quality
  • Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.
  • Increase rainwater capture, infiltration, or absorption

Program Priorities

Photo by Eva Bronzini: https://www.pexels.com/photo/vegetables-on-the-soil-5503338/

Priority consideration will be given to projects that include:

  • Ways to address environmental justice, racial equity, climate change, investment in underserved communities, and sustainable agricultural practices
  • Integration of food waste reduction strategies that take the EPA’s Wasted Food Scale into consideration
  • Expected economic benefits for the community
  • Plans to make compost easily available to community gardeners, school gardens, and other producers
  • Collaboration with multiple partners
  • Plans for monitoring and evaluating lessons learned throughout the project

Allowable Expenses

Funds may be use for:

  • Salaries and wages for employees of the applicant organization
  • Fringe benefits for the above employees
  • Travel 
  • Equipment 
  • Supplies
  • Consultants and contractors
  • Construction 

Applicants should use their negotiated indirect cost rate or the 10 percent de minimis cost rate.

Join my Patreon and get featured grants straight to your inbox every week!
Become a patron at Patreon!