The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is a federal cooperative agreement awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to state departments of agriculture to build resilience across the middle-of-the supply-chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for their state's producers.

Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products excluding meat and poultry. This program is intended to provide similar support to other programs which provided USDA funding for meat and poultry processing, but this program is focused on sectors other than meat and poultry.

States will work in partnership with USDA to make competitive subawards to create more diverse local and regional market options and create more economic opportunities for communities, allowing them to retain more of the value chain dollar.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has been awarded $6,459,355.99 from the USDA to award competitive grants to Kansas food and farm businesses and other eligible entities for projects that expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural products. KDA is offering two grant types under the RFSI program. Applicants may only apply for one grant type. 

Infrastructure Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $100,000 and a maximum award of $3,000,000 and require cost sharing or matching of 50% of the project cost. For underserved farmers and ranchers, a reduced match is required at 25% of the project costs. 

Simplified Equipment-Only Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 and do not require cost sharing or matching. The Simplified Equipment-Only Grant is a fixed price grant, meaning it will fund only equipment purchases (and not associated facility upgrades, staffing, or other costs), and the amount awarded will be equal to the cost of the equipment up to $100,000.

The application portal for the RFSI program has closed. This is a reimbursement grant. Funding will be awarded no earlier than July 1, 2024.

• RFSI Program Scope and Requirements
• USDA AMS General Terms and Conditions
• RFSI Program Specific Terms and Conditions
• Verification of Matching Funds Template Letter
• Evidence of Critical Resources and Infrastructure Template Letter

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Overview
November 28, 2023 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Overview of the RFSI  program and the types of grants available. 
View the recording HERE.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Grant Application Office Hours
December 19, 2023 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Open office hours to walk through the applications and ask questions of the grant administrators.
View the recording HERE.

Do you have questions about the RFSI program? Please contact either:
Brittney Grother, Grants Coordinator, at 785-564-6797 or Brittney.Grother@ks.gov or
Trace Mulligan, Agribusiness Development Director, at 785-564-6758 or Trace.Mulligan@ks.gov