The Hawaii Department of Agriculture CBB-CLR Pesticide Subsidy is now open for reimbursement of products to control Coffee Leaf Rust in addition to BotaniGard/Mycotrol receipts to control CBB. The program is currently reimbursing receipts from 7/1/20 - 6/30/23. Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) sprays must be on the HDOA-approved list. HDOA will reimburse 50% of the pre-tax cost of the pesticides. For more information visit the website, fill out an application here or Melanie Bondera at 808-323-7578 for paper applications.

The MAP is designed to encourage the development, maintenance, or expansion of commercial export markets for United States agricultural commodities and products through cost–share assistance. All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for consideration. Applicants must be Nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organization, Nonprofit state regional trade group, U.S. agricultural cooperative or State government agency.

This program provides financial assistance to eligible producers for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events, or loss conditions. In 2021 USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing in areas affected by drought. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic.

PGC in partnership with Kiva, is offering 0% interest loans up to $15,000 for entrepreneurs in Honolulu City & County working in manufacturing, food service, agriculture, and value-added goods.

Producers suffering from farm related losses directly caused by declared natural disasters, emergencies or designated quarantine areas can apply for up to $500,000 in loans. These funds can be used for restoring or replacing essential property, covering part of the production costs associated with the disaster year, refinance certain non-real estate operating debts, paying family living expenses, and reorganizing the family farming operation. The current interest rate on this loan is 2.25%

This fund provides grassroots organizations with up to $5,000 grants for projects that ensure that the most vulnerable communities can stay safe. Examples of eligible projects include participatory mutual aid projects serving vulnerable communities through means such as food justice.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce provides 0% interest emergency and working capital loans of $7,500-$25,000 to businesses in Maui County with 10 or fewer employees during the pandemic. The goal of the program is to serve as many small, economically disadvantaged businesses. In addition to loan funding, recipients will also gain access to business development resources, auxiliary programs and mentorship.

SECD promotes regional economic and community strategic planning in rural America through supporting multi-jurisdictional or multi-sectoral projects. There are a variety of SECD programs relating to community facilities, water and waste disposal, business and industry, rural business development, and broadband service. All programs are now streamlined under one application.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitats, and mitigation against increasing weather volatility.

Feed the Hunger Fund provides 6.5%-8.5% $5,000-$250,000 loans for anyone involved in the food industry, particularly marginalized communities with sustainable businesses.

This program provides support to immigrant, refugee and socially disadvantaged farmers by helping them navigate through regulatory requirements, access farmland, micro-loans, and other forms of capital, connect with commercial farms and restaurants, provide marketing support services, and learn business management and operations.

The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade facilities to store eligible commodities including on-farm storage and handling for small and mid-sized farms, and for new farmers. Loan terms vary from 3 to 12 years. The maximum loan amount for storage facilities is $500,000. The maximum loan amount for storage and handling trucks is $100,000.  Microloans are available up to $50,000.

Aqua-Spark is an investment fund that supports sustainable small-to-medium aquaculture businesses around the world to provide safe, accessible aquatic life that does not harm the ocean. With investments starting at $250,000, Aqua-Spark looks to be a minority investor in businesses with elements of economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability.

The primary goal of this program is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands. It does so by funding support for projects that provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability.

Through the LFS program, USDA will award up to $200 million to states for food assistance purchases of domestic local foods for distribution to schools. This program will strengthen the food system for schools by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors. Only state governments can apply.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences.

USDA offers disaster assistance to farmers and livestock producers in Hawaii impacted by December 4-8 severe rain and wind.  Agricultural producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center to learn about the programs available to help them recover from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses.  Sponsors must submit a formal request (via mail or email) to the Director for  assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites is possible. 

This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain.

The goal of this program is to reestablish valuable land cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce the loss of wildlife habitat. Farmers receive an annal rental payment in exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and instead planting species that improve the environmental health and quality. Contracts for the Conservation Program are 10-15 years long. All interested producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center for more information.

The CBED Program financially assists community based enterprises through providing low cost loans of $25,000 to agricultural producers, manufacturers using agricultural products, and value added agricultural product businesses. For more information, call Wayne Tom at (808) 587-2772, Kevin Yokoyama at (808) 323-7591 (Kona) or Gareth Mendonsa at (808) 933-9977 (Hilo).

Farm Service Agency has a wide range of loan programs including: 

•Direct Operating Loans 

•Direct Farm Ownership Loans 

•Minority and Women Farmers and Rachers 

•Emergency Loans 

•Microloans 

To discover which USDA farm loans or microloans you are eligible for here, access the farm loan discovery tool here.

The Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) Grassroots Fund offers peer-review certification to farmers and beekeepers producing food for their local communities by working in harmony with nature, without relying on synthetic chemicals or GMOs. This fund waives the minimum $150 dues for CNG certification.

The EQIP Organic Initiative provides financial and technical assistance to organic producers through contracts up to ten years. Producers must have a USDA National Organic Program Organic Certificate, proof of good standing from a USDA accredited certifying agent, and sell less than $5,000 a year in organic agricultural products or are looking to transition to organic.

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility then is responsible for repayment to USDA.

The Pacific Gateway Center’s Social Enterprise Program provides technical, social, and monetary support to entrepreneurs that create jobs for vulnerable populations and revitalize the community.

This program can provide direct access to capital such as facilities, equipment, and funding for businesses looking to expand their operations. The program also provides one-on-one coaching for business needs with special classes for taxes, legal issues, marketing and more. It also provides access to childcare, transportation assistance, and language access support. If interested, email sep@pacificgatewaycenter.org.

This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing renewable energy technical and site assistance.  Applications are accepted year round.

This program provides tuition assistance for courses through a list of approved vendors. Employers can apply to this fund on behalf of their employees in order to participate. The goal is to enhance workers’ skill sets for improved job performance and increased chances for future promotions and pay.

The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC) is designed to assist U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that seek to remove, resolve, or mitigate existing or potential sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. Any U.S. organization, government or private, with a demonstrated role or interest in exporting U.S. agricultural specialty crops may apply to the program. Government organizations consist of Federal, State, and local agencies. Private organizations may include non–profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and private companies.

Eligible companies can receive up to $15,000 that doesn’t need to be repaid. Businesses must be in low-income communities, have no more than 300 employees, and have been significantly affected by the pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary has declared Hawai‘i County a natural disaster area, allowing the FSA to issue emergency loans to help producers meet various recovery needs, including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or the refinance of certain debts. 

HDOA provides emergency loans for farmers of up to $150,000 at 3% interest. Loans up to $100,000 will not require credit denials from other financial institutions. HDOA has waived their three-year residency requirements; both citizens and residents are able to apply. Applicants must have devoted most of their time and derive most of their net income from farming. HDOA also offers numerous other loan options, including loans for new farmers, qualified farmers, part-time farmers, food manufacturing, and aquaculture. To learn more about HDOA's loan options, click here or here.

This Center offers special issues grants up to $5,000 for time-sensitive one-year integrated pest management projects that cannot wait until the next regular grant cycle.

The Emergency Conservation Program provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and to implement emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought.

Kahiau Rural Business Development Microloan Program offers technical assistance and $2,000-$15,000 2% interest loans for businesses to help them develop and build a network. Businesses must have a Native Hawaiian or kama`āina owner/operator and be located on Hawaii Island or Molokai.

This program focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. EWD invites applications in five areas: professional development for agricultural literacy; training of undergraduate students in research and extension; fellowships for predoctoral candidates; fellowships for postdoctoral scholars, and a brand-new program for agricultural workforce training. Deadlines vary for each program area; please refer to the RFA for more details.

Previously known as Hawaii Farm Credit, American AgCredit is a privately-run, agriculture lending company. They provide a variety of loans for land, equipment, construction, leasing, crop insurance, and more from $10,000-$20M.

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) is available to eligible agricultural producers in Hawaii. It provides financial and technical assistance to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into farming operations.

This program helps both new and existing agricultural enterprises on Oahu and Hawaii Island by providing access to farmland and micro-loans for low-income farmers, start-up assistance including business plan, promotion and marketing assistance, and education and training on topics such as food safety and regulatory requirements. Language assistance and guidance is also available.

Sea Pact aims to advance sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture practices through funding projects in four focus areas: Sustainable Fisheries Partnership’s Target 75 Initiative, Domestic Aquaculture Advocacy, Aquaculture Education, and the responsible joint Sea Pact seafood sourcing policy. Sea Pact accepts LOI year-round.

The Kiva Loan Program provides $1,000-$15,000 loans to small businesses. The loan has up to a 42 month term at 0% APR with a 6 month grace period for agriculture. The loan may be used for working capital or capital expenditures. If the loan is for food and agriculture, The Kohala Center's Hawaiʻi Food Producers Fund will participate up to 50% of the loan amount.

USDA offers help to farmers completing loan applications, environmental reviews, and other paperwork free of charge. Farmers who work with the USDA Service Center can establish their farm by registering for a farm number, which is required for USDA programs and assistance, learn how to meet conservation compliance provisions, verify eligibility for USDA programs, discuss their business and conservation goals, create a conservation plan, and fill out loan and program applications.