Below you will find information on grant opportunities for schools and commercial aquaponic farming:
Aquaponics Grant Funding for Schools
Most aquaponic systems in schools are often paid for with grant funding. Aquaponics meets the requirements of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) teaching and this opens up many paths for grant funding STEM aquaponics programs. In addition to funding for STEM education projects, there are many other funding sources for schools and educators planning to buy an aquaponic system.
Aquaponics is an excellent means of demonstrating many principles of science, agriculture, math and business in all grade levels and for home schooling.
There are many entities and government agencies that will help partially or fully fund an aquaponic system for a school or social project. Schools using aquaponics include elementary schools, middle and high schools, colleges and Universities. Aquaponic social projects can include feeding programs, food banks, missions and urban agriculture centers. All of these can be eligible for grant funding for their aquaponic systems.
Learn more about Aquaponics in Schools
Grants Funding Options for Schools include organizations that have funded aquaponic programs for schools, such as:
Businesses, including:
- Lexus Eco Challenge
- AgStar Financial
- Monsanto
- Toyota Tapestry Grants for Science Teachers
Foundations, including:
- W.K. Kellog Foundation (WKKF)
- Fund for Excellence in Education
- Perkins Foundation
- American Chemistry Society ACS-Hach School Chemistry Grant
- McCarthy Dressman Education Foundation – Teacher Development Grants
State Governments
- State Department of Agriculture
- State Department of Education
- State Farm to School Programs
Federal Governments
- USDA Farm to Cafeteria Program
Donations for aquaponic systems for schools from
- Community Organizations
- Parent/Teacher Organizations
- Alumni Organizations
Fundraisers for Aquaponics
- Sales of food, goods and products to raise money for an aquaponic system
Aquaponics Grant Funding for Commercial Farms
Aquaponics meets many goals in sustainability and economic development that are the focus of grant funding. Often, individuals new to business make an assumption that their business plan for an aquaponic farm is such a great idea, they are sure to get a grant to start it. But, that is rarely the case.
The good news is that there will likely be some grants available for aquaponics that fit a portion of the aquaponics business plan. This can be a great help in the funding of an aquaponic farm. Specific areas to look at for grant funding for a commercial aquaponics farm include:
- Sustainability
- Alternative agriculture
- Alternative energy
- Economic development
- Marketing and/or Distributing Local Foods
- Value added-food processing
- Social Benefit
- Research
Grants are not free money. There is a great deal of time required to find appropriate grants and complete the applications and there is no guarantee, once you do so, that you will be awarded the grant.
Also keep in mind that there are often “in-kind” funds that the grantee pays, the grant does not always provide the funding upfront and some grants require demonstration of meeting specific criteria before funds are released. These things all make it difficult to use grant funds to actually start a business.
If you are looking for grants, set google alerts to notify you of new postings of grants that meet your aquaponic farm business model.
Focus your search for grants for those that fit your business model, rather than altering your business model to meet specific grant requirements.
Grants for Commercial Aquaponics from Government Agencies
There are a number of US government agencies that provide grants to business and other entities.
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
The Agricultural Marketing Service is a branch of the USDA.
The purpose of the program is to Improve local food marketing and increase the demand for and distribution of local food.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Another program to look into when exploring grants for aquaponics is SARE, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. SARE’s mission is to help create the future of sustainable, profitable and high-quality American agriculture.
SARE has a competitive Grant Program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects.
As local food producers, aquaponic farms are candidates for a variety of assistance and, potentially, grant funding for activities that fall within the purpose of this program.
Rural Energy for America (REAP)
Another USDA program, REAP, the Rural Energy for America Program, Provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
This can be a great fit for an aquaponic farm that is interested in pursuing energy efficiency improvements in the greenhouse or other type of indoor farm.
State Departments of Agriculture and Departments of Economic Development or Business
In addition to the Federal Programs above, most states have a variety of programs to help new business get established. Aquaponic Farming grants could be found through a State Department of Agriculture, Department of Economic Development or Department of Business. These same agencies might also offer loans for starting an aquaponic farm,
Other Funding Options for Commercial Aquaponic Farms
In addition to grant funding, most businesses will fund their aquaponic farm using one of these funding sources:
- Self-funding
- Private Investors
- Traditional Business Loans
- Business Loans through Government Agencies
- Grants
- Leasing
Keep in mind that whichever of these paths you are exploring, and it might be more than one, it is expected that, as the business owner, you will have something besides your idea and time to invest. Having skin-in the game, which is essentially, fronting some of the investment, will go a long way in enticing an investor or convincing a banker that you are serious about the business and potential return.
Having someone else provide 100% of the financial responsibilities of a new venture is not realistic or probable. Also keep in mind that whatever your potential funding source, you will be expected to provide a through business plan and accurate financial projections.