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Grant Overview

Accepting applications from Friday, September 22, 2023 until Friday, October 27, 2023 at 4:30 PM. 

How to Login to the Online Grant Portal

You can also read this step-by-step guide: How to Login to the Community Food and Farm Grant Portal

Background

Johnson County created the Community Food and Farm Grant Program in response to COVID-19’s impacts on our local food system. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Up to $200,000 is available for this grant cycle.

The pandemic impacted small farms, small food businesses, and households, affecting how food is grown, sold, and accessed. The following impacts show a need to both increase access to fresh food and support the small farms and food businesses who feed our community.

Impact on Small Farms
  • Increased costs
  • Loss of market channels
  • Lack of labor force
  • Lacked access to capital, resources, and risk management tools before COVID-19 which made impacts worse
Impact on Small Food Businesses
  • Periods of shutdown
  • Decreased revenue
  • Increased costs
Impact on Households
  • Increased food insecurity due to income loss and the closure of sites where residents eat each day
  • Low-income households more at risk of food insecurity 

Definitions

Foodshed

A region where there is a flow of food from where it is grown to where it is eaten. There are food and farm businesses found in East Central Iowa and nearby counties who produce food that feeds Johnson County residents. These businesses are all a part of the Johnson County foodshed.

Community-based Food

Food produced and distributed locally that enhances the health of environmental resources, celebrates culture, meets diverse food needs, and builds a network of community relationships.

Sliding Scale

Costs for products or services are varied and dependent on the customer’s ability to pay, often determined through annual income and/or total wealth.

Purpose

Increase community-based food production, processing, and distribution capacity to strengthen food security in Johnson County, IA.

Grant Goals

Applicants must demonstrate how their project will meet at least one of the following grant goals.

  • Goal 1:  Farm and food businesses grow, process, cook, or distribute more community-based food
  • Goal 2:  Farm and food business workers and/or entrepreneurs develop skills to improve their businesses through education and technical assistance
  • Goal 3: Low-income communities have more opportunities to access community-based food 

Eligibility

Farms, food businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who produce, process, or distribute community-based food in Johnson County, IA OR enable these activities are eligible.

  • Projects must impact residents of Johnson County, IA
  • Projects must include at least one local food product grown or raised  in the Johnson County foodshed (see definition above). In the application, you must name the source of your local food product. Local food sources include individual farms, farmers markets, food hubs, dairies/creameries, and meat and egg processors. Visit https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/localfoods/findlocalfood to find a list of local food sources.
  • Project entities must receive less than $1 million in gross income annually (sales, grants, and/or donations)

Funding Requests

Applicants can request $1,000 - $25,000. Smaller amounts than requested may be awarded. Grant awards are intended to fund projects that support businesses and meet the grant goals listed below. Grant awards are not intended to fund entire businesses. Funding requests must be supported by clear and detailed budgets. 

Eligible Costs

Projects could include but are not limited to: 

  • Equipment and supplies for growing, processing, and distributing food
  • Creation of new food distribution sites
  • Neighborhood projects that help people grow or access food
  • Help with business plans, marketing, grants, food license applications
  • Business support (administrative fees, legal, education, transportation, and childcare costs)
  • Adding income-based payment options to your business (SNAP/EBT or sliding scale)
  • Business mentorships

Ineligible Costs

  • Individual or personal use only gardens
  • Bulk food purchases 
    • Funding is available for bulk food purchases through the Local Food Purchasing Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs. We encourage you to partner with organizations leading these programs. Please visit the website https://iowalfpa.org/ for more information.
  • Other costs may be found ineligible due to American Rescue Plan Act guidelines.

Equity

Johnson County encourages participation from communities who have been denied equitable access to fresh food and/or capital needed to start and sustain thriving farms and food businesses. This includes Black, Indigenous, multiracial, and other people of color, people who are LGBTQIA+, female identifying people, and people with disabilities. 

This lack of access has caused more severe economic impacts related to COVID-19. These communities best know how to address their needs, and we want to support their leadership and ownership across the food system.

Application Evaluation 

All applications will be reviewed and scored by Johnson County staff and a committee of members from the Johnson County Food Policy Council. Scores will be used by the reviewer committee to create a funding recommendation presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

 Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:

  • Grant Goals Alignment
  • Project Impact
    • Project increases equity in the food system
    • Project strengthens or builds partnerships
    • Project has short and long term impacts
    • Applicant has demonstrated funding need
    • Project impact is proportional to amount of funds requested
  • Project Readiness
    • Applicant has relevant/necessary experience or capacity
    • Project is achievable and needed infrastructure/resources are identified
    • Budget is clear and detailed
    • Project has a reasonable timeline that is within expenditure deadlines

Reporting

If awarded, applicant must:

  • Agree to have their name and/or business advertised as a recipient of grant funds on Johnson County media
  • Submit a mid-year (August 2024) and final (February 2025) report to Johnson County
  • Allow site visit for grant reviewers and the Board of Supervisors if requested 
  • Contribute 1-2 photos or videos for Johnson County media
  • Save all receipts and track expenses for purchases made with grant funds. Purchases must be tracked in the Community Food and Farm Grant Expense Table.

Timeline

Award announcement and other deadlines may change. Eligible applicants will be informed of all changes.

  • Application Deadline: Friday, October 27, 2023 at 4:30 PM 
  • Announcement of Awards: February 2024
  • Deadline to Spend Funds: December 31, 2024

 

Application Information

Applications must be submitted online. Applications are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and French. If you need the application translated into an additional language, please email [email protected].  

Consider downloading the application questions below to review before starting the online application form.  

Download in English  

1. Start Your Application 

To start an online application, create an account with an email address in Johnson County’s online portal.

To begin an application, click here. 

2. Resume Your Application.  

You can access saved and submitted applications in the online portal using this link. 

3. Review Your Application.

After submitting an application, you will receive an email confirming your submission. If you notice errors in your application, please contact [email protected]. Do not submit multiple applications.

4. Check Your Email

You will receive updates on your application on the email that you provide. Grant reviewers may also contact your email to request more information to assist with their review.

 

Application Clinics

Come to a clinic to learn more, ask questions, and receive help. 

 

Past Recipients

Round 1 - $100,000 Awarded

In Round 1, 126 applications were submitted, and 74 were eligible. After careful review, scoring, and consideration, 9 applicants were selected to receive funding.

  • Center for Worker Justice, $5,000 to host educational workshops for immigrant entrepreneurs seeking to start or expand their food or farm businesses.
  • Echollective Farm, $15,000 for infrastructure and equipment to increase capacity to harvest and store vegetables 
  • El Azul, $10,000 to purchase a deli case and kitchen equipment to expand production and sales of prepared foods at their new Latino market.  
  • IC Compassion, $15,000 for the Global Food Project to purchase supplies and infrastructure to increase production and sales for gardeners 
  • Nam and Anna’s Garden, $8,500 to construct greenhouse infrastructure to increase vegetable production 
  • Over the Moon Farm and Flowers, $14,000 to construct a brooder space to increase production of Pekin duck. 
  • Poimen Bosko Foods, $15,000 for a mobile food trailer and kitchen equipment to expand their business  
  • Simon Bwayo, $2,500 to purchase a walk behind tractor and tiller implement to increase vegetable production 
  • Williams Topsoil, $15,000 to purchase supplies and equipment to expand chicken production 
Round 2 - $285,376 Awarded

In Round 2, 40 applications were submitted, and 36 were eligible. After careful review, scoring, and consideration, 15 applicants were selected to receive funding. 

  • Coming Soon

 

Contact

If you have questions, need assistance with the application, or need translation or interpretation services, please contact Johnson County Local Foods Staff at [email protected] or 319-688-5840.