The MEO Agriculture Micro Grants Program 3.0 will allow operating farms on Maui, Molokai and Lanai to qualify for grant funds up to $25,000 that will have a direct impact on the availability of:
- local produce
- local livestock and poultry
- and other related products
The application period will be from 10-17-22 to 12-16-22. Applications must be completed and submitted with all required documentation before the deadline in order to be considered for the grant. You may apply online or in person at 99 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, HI, 96793.
MEO will ensure equitable distribution among applicants in Maui, Molokai, and Lana’I, with preference given to socially disadvantaged farming applications such as women and native Hawaiians. Funding priority will also be given to applicants that did not receive previous MEO Agricultural Micro Grant. This micro grant will be exclusively for food-producing farm businesses that operate on less than an aggregate of 12 acres or up to an aggregate of 40 usable acres for livestock within Maui County, and possess a County business or state general excise license for the farming business as of July 1, 2022.
Requirements:
- Operating farms throughout Maui County (crops, livestock, poultry and products)
- GET License to conduct business in Hawaii as of July 1, 2022
- Business owners and any partners are Maui County residents for a minimum of one year prior to date of application
Grant funds will be approved for one or more of the following:
- Expand farm yield capacity and production
- Improve safety and health practices
- Increase business acumen
- Adopt or increase utilization of technology
- Adopt or increase business visibility through marketing efforts
Application Requirements:
- Completed application
- Farm needs statement to explain the description of business operations, and the need and use for grant funds
- Photo ID
- Copy of GET tax Licence as of July 1, 2022.
- 2021 State tax return Form N-11, copy
- Photos of farm operation & buildings, pictures of corps or livestock
- As part of the application process, you will be required to write a FARM NEEDS STATEMENT in which you will justify the requested amount you are seeking from the grant. This, and all required documents can be uploaded with the online form.
Applications must be complete before submission. Incomplete applications will cause award delays. All attachments must be clear and legible. An actual photo copy of GET License is required. Form G-45 or Form G-49 are the only acceptable substitutions for the GET License. 2022 Hawaii Form N-11 is required to provide proof of residency for all farm business owners, including partners.
Farm Needs Statement – You must submit a farm needs statement that gives thorough detailed information on the farm, farming operations, acreage and land information, production and distribution information, explanation of need of grant funds, pictures of the existing farm and approximate costs, which may include shipping costs.
Micro grant payments up to $25,000 will be awarded per grantee to those who meet the criteria listed below. Upon application approval, MEO will issue payments directly to the vendors the grantee chooses.
Upon notice of award, you will be asked to submit vendor quotes for the items outlined in your farm needs statement. Quotes will be due within 4 weeks from Award date. Micro grant allocations will be distributed based on need, and with considerations made to the farm’s distribution output to the community and scale of operations.
Eligible use of funds:
- Farming Equipment & Machinery
- Processing and Storage Equipment
- Farm Infrastructure, Expansion & Upgrades
- Inventory & Supplies
- Packaging & Packaging Materials
- Technology Equipment
- Marketing Supplies, Equipment & Websites
- Professional Development & Education
Grant Award Notifications will begin January 1, 2023.
Farmers receiving grants must provide a report 90 days after receipt of grant documenting goals and objectives were met.
For more information on this program email bdcinfo@meoinc.org or call 249-2990 and ask for David Daly.