An external review committee will score each application based on the following criteria:

• Does this project result in an on-farm efficiency improvement? (0-20 points)
• Does this project have a positive environmental benefit? (0-20 points)
• Does this project extend the farmer or rancher’s season or productivity rate of food? (0-20 points)
• Is the budget clear, accurate, and financially sound? Must show 50% cost share. (0-20 points)

Priority points will be provided to:

• Traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
• LGBTQIA2S+
• Beginning (1-10 years of farm/ranch experience)
• Living with a disability
• U.S. veterans.

Additional points will also be awarded to HDFFA Partners and applicants who have not received funding from HDFFA in the past.

All points will be tallied, and applicants will be ranked by their total point value from highest to lowest. Funds will be distributed to applicants in the order in which they are ranked until funds are fully distributed. Some applicants may not be funded. All applicants will be notified of their funding status by the Agricultural Support Manager by January 31, 2022

Upon approval of an applicant’s grant application, grantees must:

1. Complete a pre-grant webinar (date TBD) and verify their budget documentation, grantees will receive 85% of their requested grant amount.
2. Once all documentation and reporting is complete, including participation in a post-grant webinar (date TBD), the remaining 15% of grant funds will be disbursed after July 31, 2022.
3. Applicants must submit all required documentation including match forms before receiving the remaining 15% of grant funds.
4. Grantees will need to submit documentation for every purchase and/or expense made on behalf of their project, which includes costs covered by the grant and costs incurred as match.

Documentation includes:

• Receipts for all purchases and expenses
• Reimbursement form or match form
• Pictures before and after project implementation
• Proof of agriculture-related course

Grantees are allowed to make changes in purchase quantities of up to 5% of their total budget without approval by HDFFA. For example, if your budget is $1,000 you can make changes of up to $50 such as if the purchase of a plastic cover in your project was $50 less than expected and you want to purchase more plastic, this is acceptable. If you want to spend that $50 on materials or supplies not previously in your budget or if you are making changes over the 5% threshold to your budget, you need to get approval from the Agricultural Support Manager by emailing andrea@hdffa.org.

Grant awardees will be required to submit a final report of their project no later than July 29, 2023, which will include:

• Budget showing utilization of grant funds and matching costs.
• Receipts for all costs covered by the grant, including matching costs.
• Proof of participation in at least one agriculture-related training course.
• A brief paragraph explaining how the grant improved their farm/ranch efficiency (include how many months or percent of food production increase if applicable).
• 5 pre- and 5 post-project pictures.

Awardees will also be required to participate in a post-grant webinar (date TBD). Failure to complete both of these tasks will result in the remaining 15% of grant funds being withheld.

• Dec 15, 2022: Kick-off of the grant and application opens
• Dec 15 – Jan 17, 2023: Application period
• Jan 17-27, 2023 – Review Period
  
• Jan 31, 2023 – Grant Winner Announced
  
• Spring 2023 – Pre-Grant Webinar
• Feb 15, 2023 – Funds (85% of grant amount) disbursed
• July 1, 2023 – Funds must be fully utilized
• Summer -Post-Grant Follow-Up Meeting
• July 29, 2023 – Reporting due and remaining funds disbursed (15% of grant amount)

We suggest for all supplies purchases that you share with other farmers/ranchers seeking similar equipment needs. If two farmers apply for the same equipment, we may introduce you with permission from both parties.

In 2022, HDFFA granted more than $45,000 to 7 farms and 7 ranches. To see the projects that were awarded the 2022 On-Farm Efficiency Grants, head to the grantee page.

We encourage all awardees to donate food through HDFFA’s Grow & Give program. Ranchers who do not qualify for G&G, please reach out to HDFFA to be connected to a food bank in need.

If you do not have enough funds to support the match requirement for this grant, please consider pairing this grant with other financing options:

• • Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Small Grant
  • USDA Farm Service Agency Microloan 
  • USDA Farm Service Agency Farm Storage Facility Loan Program 
  • Energy Trust of Oregon Irrigation Cash Incentives

You may not use any other USDA grants as matching funds for this project. USDA loans are allowed to be used for matching funds, but funds awarded by HDFFA cannot be used as repayment to the USDA.

This grant program is funded by a private donor. With these funds, HDFFA is able to award at least nine projects. At this time, we are actively searching for a match to meet additional demand and fund more projects.

With that being said, there is a possibility for a wait-list or second round of funding to be distributed. HDFFA will communicate to applicants of their grant status after the review period, and potential awardees will be notified as soon as funds are secured if they have been selected after the review period.

Future iterations of the On-Farm Efficiency Grant is dependent on HDFFA securing funding to continue this program.