Micro Grant Reimbursement Program

To encourage continuing education intended to enhance the economic viability profitability and sustainability of eligible applicant’s businesses by providing grant funding to help applicants offset the cost of online courses, workshops, seminars, conferences and college courses.

i. Only training opportunities that occur after the approval date will be eligible for funding. 

ii. An overview of the training including: web links, an agenda or syllabus, and other supporting documents must be included with the application prior to approval. 

iii. Demonstration of projected impact the training will have on diversification, continuing education, profitability and/or sustainability of your business. 

iv. Prior to payment the applicant must complete and submit a Training Reimbursement Closeout Package. The Closeout Package includes proof of training attendance, an invoice identifying total cost of the training, a completed W9 and a completed EV Micro Grants Application. The payment will be based on the training invoice. 

v. To be eligible for funding the training must occur within six months of the approval date. 

To directly support economic profitability by off-setting the cost of attending new events, fairs, farmers’ markets and/or transporting products to new markets or venues through mileage reimbursement and/or vendor fees reimbursement. Funding will be considered for applicants that demonstrate new events are assisting in the expansion of their market reach. This is a one-time offset reimbursement not intended to be used for continual attendance.

i. WAC will reimburse applicants at the current federal mileage reimbursement rate. Google map directions should be submitted round trip.

ii. WAC will reimburse applicants for the cost of attending an event/fair/new market located in New York State. 

iii. Applicants must submit an application prior to travel that identifies the eligible market, event, or new venue desired to attend, the date and the distance. All mileage will be calculated using the applicant’s business address. 

iv. Prior to payment the applicant must complete and submit an Event/Mileage Reimbursement Form provided by the Watershed Agricultural Council when accepted and receipts from event confirming attendance. The Closeout Package includes the travel starting point (the business location), destination, pictures, financial impact, a completed W9 and a completed EV Micro Grants Application. 

To encourage branding, advertising and communications related to the marketing of products and services provided by eligible applicants.  

i. Eligible Marketing activities are: farm signs, product labels or packaging, logo development, webpage development, advertisement design and placement. 

ii. Applicants must submit a project timeline and overview for completion based off cost quotes.  

iii. All estimates of cost must be provided by qualified web links, businesses, or professionals. The cost quotes provided must reflect the amount being applied for. We ask that the applicant clearly identify why they have chosen the quote/consultant.  

iv. Only marketing activities that occur after the application approval date are eligible for reimbursement. 

v. If approved, applicants will not be eligible to reapply for the same marketing services. 

vi. Prior to payment the applicant must complete and submit a Marketing Reimbursement Closeout Package. The Closeout Package includes .pdf, .eps and/or .jpg design files for logos, digital copies of advertisements, final web link, a completed W9 and a completed EV Micro Grants Application.

To enhance profitability, productivity and/or assist with business expansion.  

i. Applicants must submit a business/operation overview identifying how funding for a new staffing position will support expansion, increased viability and/or productivity.  

ii. Applicants must provide specific expansion information including list and description of new market(s) if applicable, and metrics for measuring success.  

iii. Applicants must submit a job description as planned to be advertised to the public clearly identifying the role of the new position, how the new position will assist in operation expansion, increased profitability and/or productivity.  

iv. Applicants must submit a timeline including pay rate (at least minimum wage), length of position(s), hours per week, and how they plan to track those hours (pay stubs and mileage will be requested for the closeout package.) We ask that you provide the process you currently have/or intend to have in place, along with the payroll service that you have/or intend to use to track the position, Only positions hired after the application approval date are eligible for reimbursement. 

v. WAC is not responsible for the work, direction, IRS reporting, or personal conduct of the proposed staff. The applicant accepts full responsibility for the proposed staff, this position (if approved) is not an employee of WAC.  

vi. One-time payment per business. Businesses cannot reapply to fill position if seasonal. 

vii. Prior to payment the applicant must complete and submit a Staffing Reimbursement Closeout Package. The Closeout Package includes pay stubs, mileage if attending markets/events, a signed sheet from the employee and employer that they were paid the correct rate, metrics of increased sales, a completed W9, and a completed EV Micro Grants Application.

Support activities related to expanding and/or starting fruit and vegetable production to increase producer viability.  

i. Eligible activities: row cover support, winter season extension projects, small tunnel projects and operational expansion-related items. 

ii. Applicants must submit a business/operation overview identifying how funding will support expansion, increased viability and/or productivity of operations.  

iii. Applicants must submit a comprehensive project overview including budget and timeline for completion.  

iv. Only projects/activities that occur after the application approval date are eligible for reimbursement. 

v. Prior to payment the applicant must complete and submit a Greenhouse and/or Raised Bed Expansion Closeout Package. The Closeout Package will need to include all invoices related to the project, proof of payment, estimated economic impact and a completed W9.

Support agricultural projects and purchases related to water management that aim to help agricultural producers expand and/or initiate fruit and vegetable production. 

i. Eligible activities: wash station support, irrigation needs, well development, and projects that relate to heavy storm events, overall rainfall and periods of drought. 

ii. Applicants must submit a business/operation overview identifying how funding will support expansion, increased viability and/or productivity of operations. 

iii. Applicants must submit a comprehensive project overview including budget and timeline for completion. 

iv. Only projects/activities that occur after the application approval date are eligible for reimbursement.

v. Prior to payment the applicant must complete and submit a Water Access Reimbursement Closeout Package. The Closeout Package will need to include all invoices related to the project, proof of payment, estimated economic impact related to the business/operation, and a completed W9.

Support structural needs as related to the development of vegetable and fruit expansion of business operation.  

i. Eligible activities: insect and bird netting, deer fencing, cold storage, tables, bulk bins and crates necessary for transport and pest control.  

ii. Applicants must submit a business/operation overview identifying how funding will support expansion, increased viability and/or productivity.  

iii. Applicants must submit a comprehensive project overview including budget and timeline for completion.  

iv. Only projects/activities that occur after the application approval date are eligible for reimbursement.  

v. Prior to payment the applicant must complete and submit a Farm Structure Reimbursement Closeout Package. The Closeout Package will need to include all invoices related to the project, proof of payment, estimated economic impact and a completed W9.