Due to a successful program last year, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) announced a $3 million grant for Hawaiian farmers. Special consideration will be given to those in a Food Insecurity Index and only given to individuals who have not received a grant in the past.
According to a press release, the grant can be used for home gardening farming purposes including cultivation of food and livestock. These micro-grants for home gardening and small-scale agriculture are meant to give Hawaiian farmers more capacity to, "purchase tools or equipment, soil, seeds, plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, composting equipment, towers, hydroponic and aeroponic farming and purchase animals, buy, erect or repair fencing for livestock." The deadline for applications is Sep. 19 at noon.
“Since the department received a great amount of interest last year from home gardening and small-scale farmers, the department has streamlined the application process and will focus on supporting households so they may grow food for their families,” Chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser said, according to the press release.
Hawaii residents who are 18 years or older and have not previously received a MGSFP (Micro-grants for Food Security Program) grant are eligible to apply. Organizations are not eligible due to individual interest from last year’s program.
A maximum of $5,000 can be awarded per household. Last year the Department awarded 177 grants across Hawaii.
Funding for the program comes from a $2 million grant from the USDA plus an additional $1 million regarded as carryover funds from last year’s program. The program was popular last year due to the pandemic causing many Hawaiians to transition to home farming and gardening. The Hawaiian Department of Agriculture is hoping for a similar outcome for this year’s program.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding the micro-grants under the 2018 Farm Bill that lays out programs according to each state's agricultural needs.
The Board of Agriculture will consider applications from those living in a Food Insecurity Index which measures household economic difficulty and basic access to food, according to Hawaii Health Matters.
According to the Food Insecurity Index, the Big Island has 6 zip code zones in “high need” at a level 5. The zip code zones are ranked 1-5 based on their relative food access in their relative region.
More information from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and how to apply for a grant can be found by emailing hdoa.md.microgrants@hawaii.gov.