Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
Grant funding for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program is available if you apply by November 22, 2024. To apply, find the information on the program and the application below. (If you have trouble downloading the PDF's from the links below, please see the bottom of the page for another download option)
RFSI Equipment Only Grant Template
RFSI Infrastructure Grant Template
RFSI Program Scope and Requirements
For questions, contact Jason Fearneyhough
Please submit completed applications to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture at wda1@wyo.gov
Once received, the WDA will review the application and if it is a project that fits the criteria listed in the scope and requirements, it will be submitted to USDA for final approval.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has a cooperative agreement with Wyoming under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Wyoming are working together to offer over $1.8 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. Wyoming is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through Nov. 22, 2024.
In May 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $420 million through RFSI to strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories. RFSI is authorized by the American Rescue Plan. Updates for each state’s Request for Applications for the RFSI program are available on the AMS website.
Using RFSI funding, the Wyoming Department of Agriculture will fund projects that increase dry and cold storage, enhance delivery and distribution, provide more processing options for Wyoming grown products, and help producers enter new markets. The state’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to better understand their needs.
The WDA will allocate approximately $1,8 million divided between the two allowable RFSI grant programs. $1,35 million will go toward large-scale infrastructure grants and $462,880 will go toward the smaller scale equipment only grant program.
The equipment only grant program will consist of a competitive process to award $10,000 to $100,000 equipment only projects with no matching funds required as per program guidelines.
RFSI Equipment Only Grant Template
The large-scale Infrastructure grants will range from $100,000 to $750,000 and require a dollar for dollar match. That is to say at least a 50% cost match of the entire project.
RFSI Infrastructure Grant Template
To view more about the RFSI program, including criteria for each grant, visit the link below.
RFSI Program Scope and Requirements
For questions on this program, contact Jason Fearneyhough
Please submit completed applications to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture at wda1@wyo.gov
Once received, the WDA will review the application and if it is a project that fits the criteria listed in the scope and requirements, it will be submitted to USDA for final approval.
Accessing the RFSI Grant Application
Introduction
The USDA requires the use of a specific document format, known as XFA (XML Forms Architecture), for submitting the 2024 RFSI Grant Application. This guide is designed to assist you in accessing and completing the RFSI Application PDF using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
What You Need
- A computer with internet access.
- Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat installed. Download Adobe Reader
Step-by-Step Instructions Installing Adobe Reader
- Visit the Adobe Reader download page.
- Follow the instructions to download and install Adobe Reader on your computer.
Accessing the RFSI Application PDF
- Open Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat on your computer.
- Download the RFSI Application PDF from the USDA website or the link provided in your grant application email.
- Open the downloaded PDF in Adobe Reader or Acrobat by selecting 'File' > 'Open' and navigating to your download location.
Compatibility Notes
- The RFSI Application PDF is an XFA-based document and is not viewable on mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones, even with the Adobe Reader app.
- For more information on XFA documents, please visit Adobe's XFA support page.
Viewing in Web Browsers
- Viewing XFA-based PDFs directly in web browsers like Firefox or Google Chrome may not be supported. For guidance, visit Adobe's browser viewing page.
Setting Adobe as Default PDF Viewer
- To avoid issues opening the RFSI Application PDF, set Adobe Reader or Acrobat as your default PDF viewer. Instructions can be found here.
Troubleshooting and Support: Encounter an issue? Here's what you can do
- Ensure Adobe Reader is up to date: Regularly check for and install updates to Adobe Reader or Acrobat.
- Check document compatibility: Confirm the document is not being opened on a mobile device.
- Change the default PDF viewer: If PDFs are opening in another program, switch your default viewer to Adobe.
- For further assistance, contact USDA support at [USDA Support Email/Phone] or visit the USDA RFSI Grant support page.
Accessibility
For applicants requiring assistance due to disabilities or needing alternative formats of the RFSI Application PDF, please contact USDA Accessibility Services for support.
FAQs
- Q: Can I fill out the RFSI Application on my mobile device?
- A: Due to the specific format of the document, it cannot be filled out on mobile devices. Please use a desktop or laptop computer.
- Q: What if I can't set Adobe as my default PDF viewer?
- A: You can still open PDFs with Adobe by right-clicking the file, selecting 'Open with,' and choosing Adobe Reader or Acrobat.
RFSI Grant
RFSI Grant Templates
Download the RFSI Grant PDF's below. If you have trouble with the PDF's, please see the bottom of the page for tips on how to open them.
RFSI Equipment Only Grant Proposal Template
RFSI Grant Templates
Download the RFSI Grant PDF's below. If you have trouble with the PDF's, please see the bottom of the page for tips on how to open them.
RFSI Equipment Only Grant Proposal Template
