Hello Michigan grain lovers!
Artisan Grain Collaborative has a grains-to-school focused microgrant application period open through October 8. Awards of $2,500-$5,000 to fund technical assistance and equipment needs that will support Midwest grain chain entities and K-12 schools and school districts in increasing knowledge about and use of local and regional grains and grain-based products in K-12 school meal programs are available. (Funds must be spent within 90 days of receipt.)
Here are eligible applicants:
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Any entity in IA, IL, IN, Michigan, MN, OH, and WI growing or processing food-grade grains (e.g., farmers, millers, cleaners, bakers, food businesses, researchers) that is either already be working with K-12 schools in IL, IN, MI, or WI or be seriously interested in doing so.
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K-12 schools or school districts located in Lake Michigan’s 4-state region of IL, IN, Michigan, or WI already working with or seriously interested in working with local and regionally grown grains and/or grain-based products as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP). Schools and school districts may be public as well as nonprofit charter and private schools operating the NSLP and/or SBP.
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Support organizations or food hubs in AGC’s seven state region of IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI providing on-the-ground technical assistance, logistics, and communications in service of getting more local and regional grains into K-12 schools in IL, IN, MI, or WI.
If you know of any interested applicants that might be interested or have a good project fit for this program, please send them the
full RFA - including eligibility requirements and the application form - LINKED HERE. If you have any questions, please reach out to AGC Operations Director, Jenileigh Harris, at
info@graincollaborative.com.
Julie Lehman (she/her)
Farm to Youth Network Coordinator
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
My personal Zoom room link is below.
Online for drop-in hours every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30am EST
Zoom link: https://msu.zoom.us/j/5658155119
Meeting ID: 565 815 5119
Passcode: lovelocal
---------- Forwarded message ---------
Subject: Network News Special Edition 🌱 AGC Fall 2026 Microgrant Application Period Open!
To: <
info@graincollaborative.com>
Apply by Thursday, October 8
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SPECIAL EDITION:AGC's Fall 2026 Microgrant Application Period Open! |
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Hello AGC members, AGC’s Fall 2026 Technical Assistance and Equipment Microgrant round is now open, with applications accepted through Thursday, October 8. We're seeking applications to award microgrants of $2,000-$5,000 for technical assistance and equipment needs that will support Midwest grain chain entities and K-12 schools and school districts in increasing knowledge about and use of local and regional grains and grain-based products in K-12 school meal programs. These grants are intended to infuse small amounts of capital to remove specific barriers and immediately increase the capacity of the regional grainshed. Since Spring 2025, AGC has awarded 34 applicants a total of ~$75,000. The vast majority of these awards have gone toward small equipment purchases, something we’ve continued to hear can be a barrier for small businesses to expand and meet the needs of their customers. Items have included ovens, mixers, other bakery equipment like bread slicers and dough sheeters; grain cleaning and small-scale milling equipment, grain storage, and a still. We’ve also had awards go toward electrical upgrades as well as professional development. Now, we are thrilled to run this special round supporting Midwest grain chain participants engaged in the Lake Michigan K-12 school food system! |
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Visit AGC’s Microgrant Program page to access the official Request for Applications, which includes:
- information about the program
- eligibility and reporting requirements
- allowable costs
- timeline
- application form
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“Our microgrant has allowed us to purchase equipment that's enabled us to experiment with novel (local) ingredients on an R&D scale with the intention of commercializing these products on a larger scale. We've significantly increased our use of local ingredients since being awarded the grant.”
— Spring 2025 microgrant recipient
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AGC will host office hours on Wednesday, September 30 from noon-1pm CT to answer questions about the RFA. Keep an eye out for a calendar invite coming through the listserv today. In the meantime, any questions may be directed to AGC’s Operations Director, Jenileigh Harris, at info@graincollaborative.com. |
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