Climate Smart Agriculture Grant
QUESTIONS?
Do you have questions about the CT RC&D Climate Smart Farming Grant program and/or the grant application? Email Sarah Layton, Agricultural Programs Coordinator, at slayton@ctrcd.org or call 860-345-3977 ext. 102.
How to Apply
Please review the following information before beginning the online application at the bottom of this page. Several documents and forms must be completed and ready to upload when you begin the application process.
Application Period:
Friday, August 25, 2023 to end of day Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Grant applications must be submitted through CT RC&D’s Climate Smart Agriculture webpage. Applicants must download all provided templates in the Documents & Forms section, complete them in their entirety, and then upload through the webpage once finalized and ready to submit. The deadline to submit a completed application is end of day Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Application Checklist:
A complete CT RC&D Climate Smart Agriculture Grant application includes completing the Grant Application Form on the CT RC&D webpage, in addition to uploading a number of attachments. Download the application checklist here.
Review Factors:
The CT RC&D Climate Smart Farming Grant is a competitive grant program. Only complete applications, as outlined in the application checklist, which are submitted by end of day Tuesday, October 31, 2023, will be reviewed.
A committee will review applications based on the following criteria:
- Alignment with grant objectives: Applicants must demonstrate how their proposal aligns with the objective of the grant, which is to provide funding to farmers to implement, support, or expand climate smart agricultural practices related to on-farm energy and soil health.
- Capacity to deliver on the project: Applicants must provide evidence of their capacity to successfully implement the project. This includes past project success, organizational capacity, and a clear plan for the proposed project to be installed/implemented within one year from award.
- Farm/business impact: Applicants must provide a clear plan for measuring the impact of their project. This includes goals and objectives, expected outcomes, and a clear plan for monitoring and evaluating the project’s success.
- Climate smart impact: The potential to improve agriculture via climate-smart practices in a measurable way.
- Sustainability: The practice/project must have a clear plan for continuation beyond the grant period.
- Historically underserved farmers*: Priority will be given to projects which support BIPOC producers, veterans, new and beginning farmers (farming for 1-3 years), anyone in a protected class, and anyone who speaks English as a second language. *As defined by the CT Department of Agriculture for the Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Grant funding.
NOTE: The Connecticut Department of Agriculture must give final approval before awards are administered.