Aquaponic farming combines fish farming with vegetable farming in a pond ecosystem. Because aquaponic farming is not reliant on large amounts of irrigation, it is seen as a potential alternative to modern large-scale commercial farming. Several national agencies and organizations offer agricultural grant programs that may be available to aquaponic farming enterprises.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, offers annual Conservation Innovation Grants to entities and enterprises committed to improving agricultural practices. In 2011, West Virginia University was awarded $134,974 to build an aquaponic production model. Hawaiian company Island Paradise Aquaponics received a grant of $100,000 in 2010. Under this program, grants are available to both non-governmental organizations and individuals. You may contact the program by calling (202) 720-8071.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
The organization Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education offers a variety of grant programs to applicants committed to developing sustainable forms of agriculture. Producers, nonprofit organizations, researchers and students are all eligible to apply. SARE grants are awarded by region - Northeast, North Central, Southern and Western. Applications may be downloaded from the SARE website (sare.org), as well as tips for writing a good grant proposal.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture, offers grants in several core funding areas which may be available to aquaponic enterprises and researchers, including technology and engineering, animals, plants and agricultural systems. Possible sources of funding under NIFA include the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative for Sustainable Bioenergy and the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program. Request for Application forms may be downloaded from the NIFA website (nifa.usda.gov).
Private Organizations
Several private organizations offer grants for sustainable farming that may be available to aquaponic farms. The Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation (noyes.org), for example, lists the promotion of a Sustainable agricultural and food system as one of its major funding priorities. The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (syngentafoundation.org) offers grants to small-scale farming operations that promote greater sustainability. Company Patagonia (patagonia.com) offers grants to sustainable farming ventures; in 2010, it offered over $100,000 to farms and enterprises promoting alternatives to large-scale farming.
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