Join Instructor Toby Rittner for a two-day dive into the development finance tools available to your community in the Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance WebCourse. Explore key tools like bonds, tax credits, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), revolving loan funds, federal financing programs, and access to capital lending resources. Based on CDFA's Practitioner's Guide, this course qualifies for the DFCP Program. Register today!

Builders Vision is an impact platform that works to shift markets and minds for good in pursuit of its vision for a more humane and healthy planet. With the launch of their new "Supply Chain Infrastructure Asset Map," Builders Vision has set out to address the lack of essential mid-supply chain infrastructure and information, which makes it difficult for farmers and stakeholders across the value chain to market diversified crops.

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) awarded over $500,000 in funding to seven New Jersey startups under the Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program. The funding will support startup companies in the development of commercially viable technologies that combat food insecurity, helping to increase access to nutritious foods and alleviate food deserts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a new partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to fund projects that strengthen local and regional food systems. Through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI), $21.5 million has been awarded for 117 projects, including both Infrastructure and Equipment Grants. This funding aims to improve the "middle" of the supply chain—distribution, storage, and processing—so that smaller producers and communities can benefit from more stable, efficient local food networks.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $7.5 million in 26 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements are part of USDA's broad support for urban agriculture. The CFWR program is jointly administered by USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Regenerative agriculture pioneer Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) announced that USDA Rural Development has awarded it a $3.8 million grant through the department's Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). FPEP provides grants to help high-potential organizations increase or otherwise expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives and their availability in the U.S. The funding will enable AEA to make facility upgrades and scale its workforce for its newly launched, 55,000-square-foot production facility in Aurora, CO. This state-of-the-art facility houses all of the necessary equipment to efficiently produce AEA's plant nutrition products, formulated specifically for regenerative growers.

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) has been awarded a transformational $18.7 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program. The From Food Waste to Opportunity: A Path toward Climate, Environmental, & Economic Justice in Rhode Island project will enable a generational investment in the critical area of food waste reduction. More than 40% of unused food is sent to landfills, and about 8% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributed to food waste. 

University of Nevada, Reno Extension has received federal funding to plan the first food hub in the greater Las Vegas area. The project will be designed to help urban and rural producers access larger markets and customers they may not reach individually, ultimately working to strengthen southern Nevada's food system. Along with agricultural partners and community leaders, the team will develop a business plan for a central location where farmers can deliver their produce. The plan for the facility is to have it be equipped to process, package, and ensure the produce meets food safety standards before being transported to markets in Nevada and beyond.

The Regenerative Agriculture Finance Program (RAF) was launched in January 2022 by Farmers Business Network in collaboration with Environmental Defense Fund. The pilot year of the RAF program included 48 corn, wheat, and soybean farmers seeking access to lower interest rates on operating loans by achieving standards for soil health and nitrogen fertilizer management practices. The success of the pilot year of the RAF encouraged Farmers Business Network to expand the program. 

CDFA // BNY Development Finance Webcast Series: Bond Market 2025 Forecast
January 21, 2025 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern

CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series: Harnessing the Power of Bonds: Transforming Food Systems Through Strategic Investment
February 25, 2025 - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

>>> VIEW THE FOOD SYSTEMS RESOURCE CENTER   
>>> VIEW THE AGRICULTURE RESOURCE CENTER