The Kauai County Office of Economic Development (“OED”) is requesting proposals for the Agriculture Farm Expansion Grant Awards for the 2023-2024.
Donor Name: Kauai County Office of Economic Development
State: Hawaii
County: Kauai County (HI)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/02/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The intent of the grant program is to advance Kauai’s agricultural industry through targeted investments in the expansion of farming across the island.
Funding Information
OED intends to award grants ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 each for different initiatives that align with RFP Project Specifications. Total funding will be no more than $400,000.
Project Period
Upon award, the contract period will commence on March 1, 2024, thru February 28, 2026.
Eligible Projects
Examples of Eligible Projects:
- Infrastructure
- Equipment & Supplies
- Technical Assistance & Options
- Workforce Development
- Community Engagement & Education
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for award through this RFP, the applicant shall:
- Be a Non-Profit entity that operates a bona-fide farm or bona-fide ranching business and/or Non-Profit entities that partner with operating bona-fide farm or bona fide ranching businesses (as defined below) throughout Kauai County. Non-profit organization governing board members shall have served without compensation and have no material conflict of interest. The Applicant shall be the Non-Profit Organization who operates a bona fide farm or bona fide ranches or partners with a Bona Fide Farmer or Bona Fide Rancher. A Bona Fide Farmer is someone who:
- Is an owner-operator of an established farm conducting a substantial farming operation and for a substantial period of the person’s life resided on a farm or depended on farm income for livelihood; or Has not less than two years’ experience as a full-time farmer or four years’ experience as a part-time farmer and who, in the administrator’s judgement, is likely to successfully operate a farm by reason of ability, experience and training as a vocational trainee or;
- A New Farmer who shall farm full-time and who is: a college or community college program graduate such as agriculture or aquaculture who has less than two years’ experience as a full-time farmer or less than four years’ experience as a part-time farmer; and a person who by reason of ability, experience and training as a vocational trainee is likely to successfully operate a farm, as determined by the administrator or;
- A qualified person, or association of persons, actively engaged in farming, agricultural processing, or agricultural product development activities
- A bona fide ranching business is someone who:
- Is an owner-operator of an established ranch conducting a substantial ranching operations. Has a registered livestock business that operates on agricultural land on Kauai and is engaged in the production of livestock products, including but not limited to cattle or sheep.
- Is an owner-operator of an established ranch conducting a substantial ranching operation and for a substantial period of the person’s life resided on a ranch or depended on ranch income for livelihood; or Has not less than two years’ experience as a full-time rancher or four years’ experience as a part-time rancher and who, in the administrator’s judgement, is likely to successfully operate a ranch by reason of ability, experience and training as a vocational trainee or;
AND
- Is a citizen of the United States who has resided in the State for at least three years, or a permanent status alien who has resided in the State for at least five years and;
- Has not had, during the five years preceding the date of disposition a previous sale, lease, license, permit, or easement covering public lands canceled for failure to satisfy the terms and conditions thereof and;
- Is not in arrears in the payment of taxes or other obligations to the State of Hawaii or to any of its Counties.
Entity Eligibility Requirements
- All Operating Farm partners must have:
- An active GET License to conduct business in Hawaii for at least one year.
- Business owners and partners that are Kauai County residents for a minimum of one year prior to date of application.
AND ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Have a current Equity Plan in place and be able to describe your equity strategy going forward. Equity is defined as the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality;
- Is a farm business that operates on an aggregate of 100 acres or less. Livestock ranches of up to an aggregate of 200 usable acres for livestock within Kauai County will be Eligible. Both farms and ranches must possess a county business and/or state general excise license for the farming business for at least one year.
- Non-Profits and Business (Corporations only) must have SIGNED bylaws or policies that describe the way business is conducted including management, fiscal policies and procedures, and policies on nepotism, equity, and the management of potential conflicts of interest.
- Have at least one (1) year of experience with the project or in the program area being offered. The Director may grant an exception to this requirement if the proposer has demonstrated the necessary experience in the program area.
- Have staff or authorized representatives adequately trained to administer and provide the project described.
- Is or can become compliant under the Hawaii Compliance Express system prior to funding. You do not need to be HCE compliant at the time of application, but it is highly recommended that you start the process now.
For more information, visit OED.
