Public Notice for RFP#201510180..........Dept of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.... Agricultural Development Grant Program.......Grant money available to expand and develop marketing for Maine agricultural products.

 

We have so many small family farms in our area, we felt the need to post this grant opportunity from the Maine Deptarment of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Agricultural Resource Division.

We would LOVE to see a  Farmer's Market here in Lebanon.

We are growing as a town......it's time!!!

 

Public Notice for RFP#201510180

The State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Agricultural Resource Development has a requirement for grant proposals which, if approved, will become part of funding from the Agricultural Development Grant Program. In accordance with State procurement practices, the Department is hereby announcing the publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP# 201510180) for proposals from qualified applicants.

The 119th Legislature authorized an Agricultural Development Fund (7 M.R.S.A., Chapter 10 §306A - 309). The Legislature identified the agricultural industry need for accelerating new market development, adoption of improved technology and promotion of agricultural products produced in Maine.  

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may allocate the grant funds among projects involving market research, market promotion, or a combination of those activities for the purpose of expanding existing markets and developing new markets for agricultural products produced in Maine; or for testing and demonstrating new technologies related to the production, storage or processing of State agricultural products. The Department has $250,000 available and may select multiple projects with maximum amounts of up to $50,000 per award.

The Commissioner has established priorities for this RFP. All submitted proposals need to be for projects which demonstrate readiness and that can be commenced immediately upon acceptance. Proposals that incorporate one or more of the priorities below will be considered more favorably in the evaluation process. They are:

1. Development of livestock processing
2. Improved utilization and profitability of Maine grown crops.
3. Product enhancements for nutrition and/or food safety.
4. Alternative markets or diversification including merchandising, farm stands, rural tours and educational opportunities.

A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the Department’s RFP Coordinator for this project: Jessica Nixon, Director of Market Development. The RFP Coordinator can be reached at the following email address: Jessica.L.Nixon@maine.gov or mailing address: 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. The Department encourages all interested vendors to obtain a copy of the RFP and submit a competitive proposal.