Search Through Agriculture Grants in Washington in the U.S.

CHS is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to creating connections to empower agriculture, helping its farmer-owners, customers and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, seed, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products. 

Agricultural and cooperative education: AG leadership

The CHS Foundation supports agricultural leadership and cooperative education projects that build a robust, diverse pipeline for agriculture and help people understand the value of the ag cooperative business model.

AgWest Farm Credit

AgWest Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative with more than a century of experience serving farmers, ranchers, timber harvesters, and aquatic producers throughout the West. 

Rural Community Grants

AgWest Farm Credit is committed to improving the economic and social well-being of rural communities.

We are looking for creative and collaborative approaches to address challenges and provide opportunities to people who live in rural communities. This program provides grants to non-profit organizations for projects that improve rural communities within Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. This includes efforts such as building or improving facilities; purchasing necessary equipment to facilitate a local program; and funding capital improvements which enhance a community’s infrastructure, viability and/or prosperity.

Examples of rural community grant projects

• Fire engine for rural fire department
• Multi-purpose community building
• Improving community park facilities
• Computers for a community center’s educational classes

Grant amounts

Maximum grant request is $5000. Due to growing demand, the average amount awarded is between $500 and $2,500. An organization may only be awarded grant funds once per calendar year.

Background

CHS is a global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, we’re committed to creating connections to empower agriculture, helping our owners and customers grow their businesses.

General inquiriesWe consider other requests that benefit the agriculture or cooperative industry.

Laird Norton Family Foundation

The Laird Norton Family Foundation (LNFF) is a private family foundation in Seattle, Washington, with a mission to honor and reflect the family’s shared values through giving and engage the family in philanthropy as a platform for strengthening family connections.

Primary Grantmaking Programs  

Our grantmaking reflects the values of the Laird Norton family. We give in program areas that reflect the family's shared interests:

Arts in Education

Our Arts in Education grantmaking program supports equitable educational opportunities for students using arts integrated and culturally informed instruction, including sustained professional development for public school teachers. Funding will be directed toward programs that seek to enhance students’ educational outcomes in public Pre-K through grade 12 classrooms rather than to simply increase participation in, or appreciation for, the arts.

• Our current support focuses on organizations that provide: long-term, push-in, professional development opportunities for public Pre-K through grade 12 teachers and schools; programs that aim to serve students furthest from educational justice; and programs with culturally relevant instruction and are focused on the whole child.

Climate Change

Climate change is a global, complex challenge facing our world. The goal of our Climate Change program is to help the planet heal and mitigate adverse impacts of climate change for all people, communities, and the natural world. Grantmaking is centered around carbon sequestration work and recognizes organizations as the experts and stewards to advance climate and environmental justice. Grantmaking is focused in the West Coast of the US.

•  We are focused on supporting work that increased the abilities of forests, coastal ecosystems, and agricultural lands to sequester carbon. Through projects involving healthy forests, blue carbon, and regenerative agriculture, we seek to learn from and follow the lead of communities impacted first and worst as our planet changes. 

Human Services

• Our Human Services grantmaking program supports organizations working directly with youth and young adults (age 12-25) who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, and/or involved with child welfare, juvenile legal or behavioral health systems. Grantmaking is currently only with organizations in King County, WA. 

• Our current support prioritizes organizations that are created and led by the communities they seek to serve, that acknowledge and seek to address racial and social injustice in their work, and that offer programming with the aim of preventing youth and young adult homelessness and creating systems change.

Watershed Stewardship

​Watersheds have social, ecological, and economic significance. The goal of the Watershed Stewardship program is to create enabling conditions for long-term social and ecological health and resilience in places of importance to the Laird Norton Family. Currently, we prioritize work in Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as a few key watersheds in the Western United States, consistent with the Laird Norton family's priorities.

We take a long-term view on healthy watersheds and invest in organizational capacity with an eye to future resilience. We encourage our partners to focus not on single-species recovery or restoration to historical conditions as a primary end-goal, but to also consider the potential value of significantly altered — but functioning — ecosystems as we continue to face the impacts of climate change and other natural and human-caused changes into the future.

​We believe the wellbeing of the people who live in a place must be considered alongside ecological goals; understanding the diverse interests and values of a watershed’s human inhabitants is an important component of long-term success. ​

Perdue Farms is the family-owned parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness. Perdue Farms are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for everyone we touch through innovative food and agricultural products.

Through Perdue Farms Perdue, Harvestland and Coleman Natural food brands; through Perdue Farms agricultural products and services; and through Perdue Farms stewardship and corporate responsibility programs, Perdue Farms are committed to making Perdue the most trusted name in food and agricultural products. At Perdue, Perdue Farms believe in responsible food and agriculture.What We Support

• We strive to strengthen our communities by focusing our efforts on agriculture and the environment, education, fighting hunger and poverty, health and social services, and public safety
• We also support organizations that celebrate the heritages and cultures of our communities
• We may give additional preference to organizations in which our associates have direct involvement, but the overarching consideration is the betterment of the community

Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family owned U.S. food and agricultural company. We were founded on trust—a value that carries through everything we do. Through our two operating divisions, Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness, we’re making steps every day toward our goal of becoming the most trusted name in food and agricultural products. Our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger.

We're Committed to Being Careful Stewards. Stewardship is one of our company's core values. Our stewardship platform, "We believe in responsible food and agriculture®," challenges us to continually improve. Learn more about the progress we've made in the areas of food, environment, animal care, people, community and our partners.

What we support

We believe in putting our resources where there is a direct benefit to a broad-based spectrum of the community.

• We strive to strengthen our communities by focusing our efforts on agriculture and the environment, education, fighting hunger and poverty, health and social services, and public safety
• We also support organizations that celebrate the heritages and cultures of our communities

Our Responsibility

• Food Producing: Quality Food
• Environment: Protecting the Environment
• Animal Care: Providing for the Welfare of Animals
• People: Caring About Others

Pilot Project Program

 The University of Washington’s PNASH Center is dedicated to the prevention of illness and injury among agricultural producers, workers, and their families. The PNASH Center focuses on safe and sustainable agricultural workplaces and communities with an emphasis on injury and illness prevention, especially among hired laborers, migrant/seasonal workers, and children.

Our approach includes:

• Working in partnership with employers, workers, agencies and other research and service organizations.
• Conducting innovative research and intervention programs that focus on problem solving.
• Taking solutions to the workplace and community through training, outreach, and participatory research.

Priority Areas

This program provides both early stage and experienced investigators with opportunities to:

• Develop preliminary data or expertise to support new proposals,
• Adapt or evaluate proven tools or techniques for new populations, workplaces, or delivery methods,
• Evaluate the merit of new ideas, or new approaches to existing methodologies or datasets,
• Explore new directions in research, prevention/intervention, and education/translation,
• Apply their expertise to the field of agricultural safety and health, and
• Leverage emerging technologies in supporting a healthy, safe, and productive AgFF workplace. 

In addition, the PPP places a special emphasis on supporting meritorious projects that widen PNASH’s work in the industries of fishing and forestry, and projects that support early-stage investigators. 

Funding Amount

The PPPs is a competitive process, where the PNASH Center will fund pilot research awards. These pilot research awards will be awarded to projects through a competitive process for a maximum direct annual cost allocation of $30,000 each. Funded projects will have the option of applying for an education/research translation Supplement Grant with an additional maximum $5,000 funding. The PPPs funding period is for a duration of twelve (12) months

Deadlines and Awards

Complete applications will be received on a rolling basis. To be selected for funding the following month, proposals must be submitted by the first day of the month, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Funding decision will be made within one month of receipt. For example, applications received by October 1 will be reviewed by October 31 and eligible for a start date of November 1. See “Application Submission Procedure” for additional details. Projects must be completed by September 29, 2026, with final reports submitted by October 31,2026.

Climate change and floodplains

Floodplains by Design (FbD) is an ambitious public-private partnership led by Ecology, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and Puget Sound Partnership. FbD works to accelerate integrated efforts to reduce flood risks and restore habitat along Washington's major river corridors. Its goal is to improve the resiliency of floodplains to protect local communities and the health of the environment. FbD also supports important Washington values, such as agriculture, clean water, and outdoor recreation. By working together, organizations can align state and federal investments with locally-driven solutions that address floodplain management challenges and create a more sustainable future.

Floodplains by design grant program

Floodplains by Design (FbD) is our primary grant program for projects that help communities live better in their floodplain. This competitive grant program is a component of a public-private partnership led by Ecology, The Nature Conservancy, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and the Puget Sound Partnership. It is focused on re-establishing floodplain functions in Washington’s major river corridors, as well as reducing flood risk.

Floodplains provide important habitat for salmon, rich soil for farms, and beautiful backdrops for residents and visitors to Washington. In the past, attempts were made to control rivers, thinking flooding could be stopped by walling off rivers with levees, straightening them, and laying a grid of commercial and residential development across them. Now, salmon runs are disappearing, and more people live in the path of dangerous floodwaters.

Local and Tribal governments, along with nonprofit organizations, are using FbD grants across Washington to complete multi-benefit projects that reduce flood hazards to communities and restore the natural functions of rivers and their floodplains. These FbD projects bring together many different stakeholders in the floodplain to:

• Improve flood protection for communities that live and work in floodplains.
• Conserve and restore habitat for salmon and other important aquatic species.
• Preserve farmland to keep agriculture viable for future generations.
• Improve water quality.
• Enhance outdoor recreation.

Investing in the future of the cooperative system

The CHS Foundation supports cooperative education projects that develop and enhance understanding of the ag cooperative business model through education, professional development, and practical experience.

Program priorities and guidelines

The CHS Foundation will consider programs that:

• Educate the next generation about the agricultural cooperative business model
• Demonstrate a history of success and/or increase in growth or demand
• Incorporate technology and new, innovative approaches
• Target middle school, high school, college-age students and young producers
• Clearly identify strategies for engagement with key audiences and outline goals with measurable outcomes
• Use funding to support program-related costs
• Have a national or state level reach within the main CHS trade area (Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming)

Background

The FFAR Fellows Program offers leadership and professional development training to PhD students studying food and agriculture-related sciences in the U.S. and Canada. North Carolina State University leads the initiative, which provides Fellows with training, networking opportunities, and peer support.

Over the 3-year period members of each cohort (25-30 fellows) attend four in-person meetings plus monthly virtual sessions, create and execute annual professional development plans, and network and establish mentor-mentee relationships with industry scientists and others outside of academia.

Program Details

The Fellows Program kicks-off with a one-week orientation session in August at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and a second session at NCSU the following April. These Year 1 sessions and the monthly webinars focus on self-exploration, self-management, creating networks of support (peer, mentor, professional), and improving communication and teamwork skills within an organization. The residential sessions include site visits at agriculture industry locations in Research Triangle Park and meetings with industry scientists and extension leaders including alumni FFAR Fellows.

In Year 2 of the program Fellows have the opportunity to meet in conjunction with the World Food Prize gathering in Des Moines, Iowa (or another university-based location). The Fellows’ spring Year 2 meeting is held in Washington, D.C. This meeting and webinars in Year 2 focus on communicating with policy -makers, understanding the policy process, and exploring careers in the public sector and NGOs. In Year 2 fellows also train to become better mentors and supervisors and how to lead through influencing. They also complete a 360 process whereby they receive largely anonymous feedback from their advisor, mentors, peers, and those they supervise.

The Fellows final in Year 3 has varied, with the most current cohort meeting in St. Louis with with tours of Bayer and the Donald Danforth Center. In Year 3 fellows receive training on creating and managing effective meetings and group and 1:1 assistance in preparing their CV/resume and interview skills for the job search.

Each year fellows complete a Professional Development Plan and have interactions with their mentors (their advisor, and industry mentor, and an additional mentor depending on interests) to identify and achieve their PDP goals. Fellows also receive extensive training on communicating their science in presentation format, poster format, and in the form of a 3-minute recorded talk.

Objectives of the FFAR Fellows Program

• Develop leadership competencies that enhance current and future individual productivity and well-being, and enhance Fellows capacity to contribute to the public good
• Connect young scientists across research domains and geographic areas to promote multi-disciplinary understanding and problem-solving
• Broaden students understanding of their career options and create links to sectors beyond academia (industry, government, NGO)

Stipend + Professional Development Category

Students accepted into the Stipend/Professional Development category will receive $49,500 each year to cover tuition, fees, stipend, and related costs. Students applying to this category should already have a defined research project and an industry or analogous sponsor. The sponsor(s) will commit $32,500 per year to the Fellowship, matched equally by FFAR. The total of $65,000/annually is distributed as follows: $49,500 for student stipend tuition, fees, etc.; $5,500 for university overhead; and $10,000 retained by the FFAR Fellowship Program lead institution, North Carolina State University, for program management and costs of the professional development training.

For the Stipend/Professional Development category applicants must have at least 50% of the sponsorship pledged by a non-academic entity (e.g., company, commodity organization, foundation, state government) to be considered. The remaining funds can be from departmental or university accounts as long as the source is non-federal (examples of federal funds not accepted: USDA, NIH, or NSF grant funds).

About Us

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Harry and Kathern Lovejoy Scholarship

Jane Lovejoy desired to assist WSU students further their studies in advancement of agriculture; the unfinished goal of her father, Harry Lovejoy, who had to withdraw from his studies at WSU during the Great Depression to assist with the family farm in Waterville. He was never able to return to his studies but was able to send his only child, Jane Lovejoy to WSU where she diligently completed a degree in education and became a premiere high school English teacher and librarian for more than three decades.

As a farmer’s daughter, an educator for more than three decades and a devout Christian, Jane Lovejoy encountered many hard working students with the desire to further their education but without the means to do so and wanted to assist them. The ideal recipient of the Lovejoy Scholarship would be a studious young person from Central Washington who is proud to be a Cougar and is actively striving to make an agricultural contribution that would cause for greater yields from the world’s fertile lands.

This scholarship supports transfer students, nontraditional students and graduate students seeking education at WSU. The committee seeks to award students who demonstrate financial need, commitment to their studies and any direct work experience in an agriculture related industry.

About Us

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Henry Max Galbraith / East Wenatchee Grange No. 1012 Scholarship

Henry M (Max) Galbraith was a fruit rancher in East Wenatchee and a long time member of East Wenatchee Grange. He served as Master of the East Wenatchee Grange for several years and also served in many positions within the East Wenatchee Grange and the Douglas County Pomona Grange. This scholarship was specifically provided for in his will to support a student from Douglas County who plans to study either agriculture or allied health at Wenatchee Valley College. The ideal student exhibits a balanced combination of character, academic achievement, community involvement, college motivation and financial need.

WAEF Scholarships

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships.

Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards.

Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges.

Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. 

AgroFresh

This scholarship is offered to a student raised in family involved with Washington's tree fruit industry who will pursue a degree related to production agriculture.

WAEF Scholarships

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships.

Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards.

Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges.

Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. 

Brian Kershaw Memorial

Established in memory of Brian Kershaw, the scholarship is open to children of Kershaw Companies' employees and employees of Kershaw Companies. Scholarship award must be used at an accredited community college, technical or trade school or university. The scholarship may be renewed for up to a total of four undergraduate years, for students meeting the renewal qualifications.

WAEF Scholarships

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships.

Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards.

Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges.

Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. 

Chamberlin Agriculture

Scholarship is open to the children of current Chamberlin employees who work in the Cashmere, WA, Wenatchee, WA, The Dalles, OR and Hood River, OR locations and to students employed by Chamberlin to work in the summer months who have expressed a plan to work in the ag sector. Award may be used at accredited technical/vocational colleges, two- and four-year colleges and universities. Award may be used at accredited technical/vocational colleges, two- and four-year colleges and universities for both graduate and undergraduate studies.

WAEF Scholarships

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships.

Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards.

Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges.

Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. 

Jeff & Jolene Hattori

Scholarship is open to high school seniors and undergraduate students located in the Tri-Cities area preparing for a career in agriculture with an emphasis in agri-business or production agriculture. The award may be used at an accredited trade/technical school, or a two or four year college/university

WAEF Scholarships

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships.

Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards.

Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges.

Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. 

Jerry Haak Memorial

This scholarship honors the memory of tree fruit industry leader Jerry Haak. Jerry was a passionate orchardist known for his innovative approach to farming and willingness to share new techniques and discoveries. Candidates for this scholarship are men and women raised in families involved in apple, cherry and/or pear orchards. Applicants should be preparing to work in the tree fruit industry by pursuing an agriculture related degree.

WAEF Scholarships

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships.

Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards.

Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges.

Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. 

Joe & Ann Hall Education Fund

The Hall family has established this scholarship fund to assist students with strong academics, a motivation to succeed and an intent to build a career in agriculture, engineering or technical related fields. Applicants must be raised in families with ties to Washington's tree fruit industry. Scholarships may be used at two- or four-year universities or colleges.

WAEF Scholarships

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships.

Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards.

Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges.

Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. 

Roger Calhoun Memorial

Roger Calhoun was the chairman of the Washington Apple Education Foundation in 2007. His influence with WAEF began when he joined the board of directors in 2003 and his legacy continues in our planning philosophy and governance. Applicants must be Washington state high school seniors or current college students from Washington state. Parents/Guardians of the applicants must be employed in an entry level or lower level management position by a commercial grower or packer in Washington's tree fruit industries.

Background

The FFAR Fellows Program offers leadership and professional development training to PhD students studying food and agriculture-related sciences in the U.S. and Canada. North Carolina State University leads the initiative, which provides Fellows with training, networking opportunities, and peer support.

Over the 3-year period members of each cohort (25-30 fellows) attend four in-person meetings plus monthly virtual sessions, create and execute annual professional development plans, and network and establish mentor-mentee relationships with industry scientists and others outside of academia.

Program Details

The Fellows Program kicks-off with a one-week orientation session in August at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and a second session at NCSU the following April. These Year 1 sessions and the monthly webinars focus on self-exploration, self-management, creating networks of support (peer, mentor, professional), and improving communication and teamwork skills within an organization. The residential sessions include site visits at agriculture industry locations in Research Triangle Park and meetings with industry scientists and extension leaders including alumni FFAR Fellows.

In Year 2 of the program Fellows have the opportunity to meet in conjunction with the World Food Prize gathering in Des Moines, Iowa (or another university-based location). The Fellows’ spring Year 2 meeting is held in Washington, D.C. This meeting and webinars in Year 2 focus on communicating with policy -makers, understanding the policy process, and exploring careers in the public sector and NGOs. In Year 2 fellows also train to become better mentors and supervisors and how to lead through influencing. They also complete a 360 process whereby they receive largely anonymous feedback from their advisor, mentors, peers, and those they supervise.

The Fellows final in Year 3 has varied, with the most current cohort meeting in St. Louis with with tours of Bayer and the Donald Danforth Center. In Year 3 fellows receive training on creating and managing effective meetings and group and 1:1 assistance in preparing their CV/resume and interview skills for the job search.

Each year fellows complete a Professional Development Plan and have interactions with their mentors (their advisor, and industry mentor, and an additional mentor depending on interests) to identify and achieve their PDP goals. Fellows also receive extensive training on communicating their science in presentation format, poster format, and in the form of a 3-minute recorded talk.

Objectives of the FFAR Fellows Program

• Develop leadership competencies that enhance current and future individual productivity and well-being, and enhance Fellows capacity to contribute to the public good
• Connect young scientists across research domains and geographic areas to promote multi-disciplinary understanding and problem-solving
• Broaden students understanding of their career options and create links to sectors beyond academia (industry, government, NGO)

Professional Development Category

Students accepted into the Professional Development category are full members of the cohort and take part in all professional development activities. Sponsors are invoiced for $5,000 per year for each of the three years of the program. Sponsorships cover the costs of participation in the program. Students do not receive direct payments.

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program offers grants to graduate students to conduct research on topics specific to sustainable agriculture under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Proposals should address issues of current or potential importance to Northeast farmers, agricultural researchers, and farm support professionals such as staff of NRCS, Cooperative Extension, and nonprofit organizations.

Projects should explore one or more of the sustainable agriculture themes of good stewardship, profitability, and quality of life for farmers and the farm community. We specifically seek projects that are consistent with our outcome statement, which says: Agriculture in the Northeast will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to its customers; it will be conducted by farmers who manage resources wisely, who are satisfied with their lifestyles, and have a positive influence on their communities and the environment.

Charitable Foundation

The Paul Lauzier Charitable Foundation was created pursuant to the Last Will and Testament of Paul Lauzier. During his lifetime, Mr. Lauzier made numerous contributions to religious, educational, and community organizations. His legacy of charitable giving continues through annual grants awarded by the Paul Lauzier Charitable

Foundation in support of community development, youth programs, public health and safety, education, and agriculture.

There is no geographical limitation for funding requests. With that said, the Paul Lauzier Charitable Foundation prefers to fund programs and projects geographically located in rural communities in central and eastern Washington, with an emphasis within Grant County.

The Foundation also provides support in the form of long-term grants disbursed over several years. The Foundation will consider funding requests for program support, equipment and capital projects. 

About Us

The Philadelphia Unit is one of the 44 autonomous units which belong to The Herb Society of America. The unit was organized in 1937 in the Philadelphia suburbs as “The Central Unit” and became “The Philadelphia Unit” in 1940. Our mission is to increase our own knowledge and enjoyment of herbs and to share this knowledge and delight with the community.

Among our many other activities, the unit’s members have participated in the production of Herb Society publications, helped create the National Herb Garden in the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., sent numerous members as officers to national and regional functions, and designed and established teaching gardens around the Philadelphia area.

The Fragrant Garden at Tyler Arboretum in Lima, PA, and the 18th-Century Medicinal Herb Garden at Historic Yellow Springs in Chester Springs, PA, were designed by and still are maintained by the unit.

The Philadelphia Unit has also held an herb sale each spring since 1938 (1989 excepted). The sale is currently held at Historic Yellow Springs and offers more than 10,000 herb plants for sale. Proceeds from the herb sale benefit our gardens at Tyler and Yellow Springs as well as community gardens in the area.

Currently there are about 40 members in the unit. We meet monthly, except January, usually on the first Wednesday morning of each month. Meetings may include lectures, herb study groups, workshops, discussions, and trips to see gardens or other locations of interest.

As we take great pleasure in growing, using, and learning about herbs, we hope that we can successfully reach out to those who share our interest so they, too, can enjoy herbs more.

Scholarships

The Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America, a group “dedicated to promoting the knowledge, use and delight of herbs through educational programs, research and sharing the experience of its members with the community,” is pleased to offer a $1,500.00 scholarship to students enrolled in certificate or degree programs related to the study of horticulture or similar fields.

Funding for precision ag and data analytics projects

All requests for funding from colleges and universities are accepted and evaluated during an annual, competitive grant process. Online applications are available April 15 to May 31. Each year, the CHS Foundation board of trustees selects new funding priorities. The 2023 funding priorities are data analytics and precision agriculture with a focus on agronomy or ag mechanics/engineering.

Data analytics

The CHS Foundation will consider initiatives that prepare students to collect, analyze and understand data sets to optimize the agricultural supply chain. Priority given to projects that:

• Drive students to innovate and develop new technology
• Prepare students to collect and analyze data from multiple sources
• Expand students’ understanding of data architecture and systems
• Feature collaborative approaches that combine elements of statistics, economics and computer science
• Offer hands-on learning for students

Precision agriculture

The CHS Foundation will consider university and college initiatives that prepare students to design, operate and maintain technology, machinery and systems for agriculture. Priority given to projects that:

• Develop or enhance agronomy, precision agriculture, or ag mechanics/engineering degree programs, curriculum and classes
• Recruit students to pursue degrees and careers in precision agriculture, agronomy, ag mechanics or engineering degree fields
• Drive students to innovate and develop new technology
• Provide students hands-on experiences

CHS Inc

CHS (fomerly is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to creating connections to empower agriculture, helping its farmer-owners, customers and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, seed, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products. 

CHS invests in programs that strengthen hometown communities and develop future generations of ag leaders through CHS community giving and the CHS Foundation. These initiatives support CHS sustainability efforts and long-term focus on people and rural communities

CHS community giving serves cooperative communities through support of cooperative matching grants, Twin Cities projects, volunteerism and industry support.

CHS Foundation

The CHS Foundation builds ag career pathways and educates rural youth through support of ag safety.

Teacher Grants

The CHS Foundation will award up to $50,000 to help teachers to implement a project at their school that will engage students in experiential agricultural education. We know teachers have big ideas we want to help bring those to life for students in rural communities.

Under the Farm Bill, WSDA receives grant funding from USDA to enhance the competitiveness of Washington's specialty crops. WSDA conducts an annual competitive application process to award grant funds.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. Eligible plants must be intensively cultivated and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops.

Funding Categories

Environmental Stewardship, Conservation, and Climate Smart Agriculture

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that enhance soil health, conservation of agricultural land and water, and address specialty crops contribution to adaptation and/or mitigation of climate change, as well as any other projects that demonstrate environmental stewardship.

Pest Management

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that address pests that affect the production of Washington’s specialty crops. Projects submitted to the Pest Management category should include applied research related to the probability and impact of invasive pests, and threats to specialty crops, and research to develop tools to detect, eradicate, and control pests.

Plant Health

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that address plant diseases that affect the production of Washington’s specialty crops. Projects submitted to the Plant Health category should include applied research related to the probability and impact of invasive disease, and weed threats to specialty crops, and research to develop tools to detect, and control plant diseases.

Food Safety Research

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that address food safety for specialty crops. Such projects might include applied research projects that address "real world" food safety issues related to food and agricultural practices in the specialty crop industry, the impact of agricultural practices on subsequent specialty crop food processing; sciencebased practical and transferrable research projects that focus on food safety issues related to food-borne pathogen detection

Innovative Technologies

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that address any innovative technology that will increase the competitiveness of specialty crops.

Training and Education

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that address training and/or education that will increase the competitiveness for Washington’s specialty crop industry. Projects might include food safety education and outreach projects to help compliance with the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Domestic Marketing

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that address domestic marketing for Washington’s specialty crops. Projects submitted can pertain to any type of domestic marketing project. 

International Marketing

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that will enhance or increase the opportunity for the exports of Washington’s specialty crops to foreign markets, increasing the competitiveness of specialty crops. 

Small Farm/Regional Marketing

In this Review Category, WSDA will consider projects that enhance and develop small farm/regional markets for Washington’s specialty crop industry. 

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.

ACEP has two components:

• Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.
• Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) help private and tribal landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.

Additionally, through ACEP, USDA offers the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP), a voluntary program through which NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to leverage resources to carry out high priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement and to improve wildlife habitat.

Agricultural Land Easements

NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing perpetual Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrubland. Eligible partners include American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland, rangeland or grassland protection programs.

Under the ALE component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the ALE.

Under ACEP-ALE, provisions were included to provide an increased Federal share for enrollment of Grasslands of Special Environmental Significance (GSS) that protects the long-term grazing uses and related conservation values on eligible private range and pasture lands. The program emphasizes support of grazing operations, maintaining and improving plant and animal biodiversity, and protecting grasslands and shrublands under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development, and other non-grazing uses. Conservation easements can support the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) by keeping working lands working as intact range. If you have property that lies within one of the Sage Grouse core areas it may, as a grassland of special environmental significance, qualify for the higher NRCS contribution of up to 75 percent.