Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program
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The 2025 Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program Application Deadline is March 3, 2025.
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Read the information below to learn about the Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program and how you can apply. Learn more about funded agroforestry projects, resources, demonstration farms, natural resource professionals and more at Agroforestry Regional Exchange (ARKx) Network. Sign up for the newsletter to receive occasional updates about agroforestry events, news and resources in your region.
About Catalyzing Agroforestry Grants
Program (CAGP)
The Catalyzing Agroforestry Grants Program is an initiative funded by Edwards Mother Earth Foundation (EMEF) that is managed by Virginia Tech University in partnership with Rural Action, Appalachian Sustainable Development, North Carolina State University and SilvoCulture.
Direct financial support is available through the program for farmers who seek to join our effort to mitigate climate change through use of agroforestry applications. Agroforestry practices sequester carbon, sustain productive and healthy farms and forests, protect water quality, regenerate soils, and enhance biodiversity.
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Read about Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's commitment to agroforestry here.
The Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program is a competitive grants program focused on implementing the following agroforestry practices: Alley cropping, Forest farming, Riparian forest buffers and Windbreaks, Silvopasture, Urban food forest, and Windbreaks. In the first two cycles of the program, 100+ producers from 18 states were awarded funding for agroforestry projects.
The ultimate goal of the effort is to increase ecosystem sustainability and diversity by scaling up agroforestry practices. To achieve this goal, assistance is available for selected projects through regional partners, management of funds and technical assistance. The program will also develop an Agroforestry Regional Knowledge (ARKx) Exchange that serves as a framework for future growth of agroforestry adoption. The ARKx Exchange will support ecocultural learning, workforce development, and networking of producer peers, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and governmental and nongovernmental partners.​
How CAGP works
​The program will provide up to $1500/acre for all field-based agroforestry practices (alley cropping, riparian forest buffers, silvopasture, urban food forests, and windbreaks), depending on project scale and scope. For forest farming, the program will provide up to $1,000 for 1/4 acre and up to $500/acre for site preparation depending on project scale and scope. Awardees are reimbursed for project expenses upon completion of the project.
To enhance shared learning, producers who receive support will share successes and lessons-learned with their peers and other interested stakeholders as part of the Agroforestry Regional Knowledge Exchange Network. Minority, female, Indigenous farmers and tribal nations, LGBTQ+, socially/economically disadvantaged, and/or veteran farmers are highly encouraged to apply. Agroforestry assistance is available to producers in all States.
We are taking applications on a rolling basis and will have a third review in early 2025. Direct questions to Patrick Bowers at Virginia Tech [bpatri8@vt.edu].​
Catalyzing Agroforestry Grants Program
Application Instructions
**Please read before applying!**
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We are dedicated to making this application process accessible to all interested producers, including those with limited internet and technology access. Please choose the best application method for you.
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To apply for CAGP Agroforestry Assistance, please complete and submit the below application and associated worksheet. Be sure to fill out both parts: the application and budget worksheet to the best of your ability, and include supporting documentation. Please note that your application will not be complete until you return your completed application and the Time and Budget Worksheet.
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​Strong applications will include supporting documentation to aid project narratives. Examples include annotated maps or aerial imagery, existing planning documents, business plans, farm newsletters, promotional videos, product lists, and website links. Please be sure to label photos and documents with your farm name.
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Send questions to CAGP contact: Patrick Bowers at Virginia Tech [bpatri8@vt.edu].​
Apply Online
2025 Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program Application Deadline is March 3, 2025.
Please use the google form below to submit your application (Gmail account required).
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After completion you may upload your supporting documentation directly to the google form, or email your supporting documentation to: Patrick Bowers at Virginia Tech [bpatri8@vt.edu] with the following subject line: 2025 CAGP Application - [Your name].​
Please note: Your CAGP application will not be reviewed until both the completed application form and budget worksheet have been submitted.
Apply by Mail or Email
You may download and print and fill the application and budget worksheet, and return by email or mail. Please send all applications, worksheet and associated documents to: Patrick Bowers at Virginia Tech [bpatri8@vt.edu].​ with the following subject line: 2025 CAGP Application - [Your name]
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2024 Catalyzing Agroforestry Assistance Application - 8 pages (pdf)​
2024 Catalyzing Agroforestry Time and Budget Worksheet - 2 pages (pdf)​
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2024 Catalyzing Agroforestry Assistance Application - 8 pages (.docx)
2024 Catalyzing Agroforestry Time and Budget Worksheet - 2 pages (.docx)​
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Please note: Your CAGP application will not be reviewed until both the completed application form and budget worksheet have been submitted.
Thank you for your interest in Catalyzing Agroforestry!
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What is CAGP?The Catalyzing Agroforestry Grants Program (CAGP) is a competitive, rapid-resource distribution grants program for land owners, managers, and community land project coordinators who seek to establish or expand agroforestry on all or a portion of the land they own, manage, or coordinate.
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What is the Agroforestry Regional Knowledge (ARK) Exchange?ARK Exchange is a peer-to-peer demonstration and communication program that is part of CAGP. You must commit to sharing your project with peers if you receive funding for your project. This may be in the form of field tours, media posts, blogs, producer meeting presentations, or other ways to share your work. You may not be asked to participate in an ARK Exchange program, but selected CAGP funding recipients must commit to the ARK Exchange to finalize project support.
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Who do I contact if I have questions?Please see contact details in the application for questions. Email or calls are welcome. Patrick Bowers at Virginia Tech [bpatri8@vt.edu].​
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Who are the CAGP Partner Organizations?Edwards Mother Earth Foundation (EMEF) Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition Appalachian Sustainable Development Rural Action SilvoCulture NC State Extension Virginia Tech
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Am I eligible to apply for CAGP?Any land owner, manager, or coordinator is eligible to apply in applicable states. Service organizations that manage land or other community initiatives and producer networks also are welcome to apply.
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What Agroforestry practices are eligible for funding?All agroforestry practices currently recognized by the USDA USFS are eligible to apply.
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Is there a minimum acreage in the CAGP program?Any agroforestry project size, scope, or mission is allowable.
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How do I apply to CAGP?There are three ways to submit your CAGP application along with your Time and Budget Worksheet and supporting documentation. 1. You can complete the google form and submit online. 2. You can download the PDF (.pdf) application or Microsoft document (.docx), complete it, and mail to the listed address. 3. You can download the pdf application, complete it with a pdf editor, and email to Ian Nichols (iancn@vt.edu)
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Who reviews CAGP applications?CAGP is a competitive program. A diverse multi-institutional and multi-organizational committee of program managers evaluates CAGP applications using a scoring rubric that balances project quality, producer goals, and constructive contributions to agroforestry advancement.
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What happens if my CAGP application is accepted?You will be contacted to discuss your project further prior to final acceptance if your application is accepted. In-person technical evaluation and assistance may be possible, depending on available resources and time. Initial acceptance is not a guarantee of final acceptance. Preliminarily accepted projects require additional scrutiny before signing a Memorandum of Understanding and securing administrative registration at Virginia Tech to ensure payment.
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What happens if my CAGP application is wait-listed?You will be notified and it will remain in the queue for future scheduled evaluation. During this time, you are welcome to revisit and revise your application with assistance from technical service providers or other service programs in your region. Please send the revised application using one of the submission avenues and notify program managers of the revision. Your application will be reviewed again in the next cycle.
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What happens when I apply to CAGP?Your application will be batched with others and staged for review. You will be notified of receipt. The application process is rolling, meaning there is no deadline. However, there are scheduled application reviews. You are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is evaluated during the next scheduled review.
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What is the reimbursement process?A W-9 (W-8 for foreign nationals) is required when signing the MOU to enter the applicant into the Virginia Tech reimbursement system. Reimbursements occur at project completion and will require an invoice with receipts and payee name, remit address, date and description of service and dollar amount. Checks will take at least 30 days by mail.