2026 CalAgPlate Grant Program

Who can apply

NonprofitPublic AgencyTribal Government

Non-profit organizations, as well as state, local, and tribal government agencies within California which promote and administer agricultural education and leadership programs targeting K-12, post-secondary, and adult education. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicant organizations may only submit one grant proposal to the CalAgPlate program.

Purpose

The CalAgPlate program funds projects that support agricultural education, agricultural career awareness and development, agriculture career training, and agriculture leadership development to assist students at the kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12), post-secondary, and adult education levels. Supporting these educational and training areas will provide participants with further agricultural opportunities.

Description

Funding and Duration: The CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture anticipates that up to $230,000 will be awarded to projects to support agricultural education and training. Grant amounts range from $2,500-195,500. The maximum grant duration is one (1) year, six (6) months and grant funds cannot be expended before January 1, 2027, or after June 30, 2028. CDFA reserves the right to offer an award amount less than the amount requested. * NOTE: Non-profit programs administered or managed by a university, such as the 4-H Youth Development Program are exempt from this limitation. Two funding opportunities available: Tier 1 – California Adopted Agricultural Education Programs Up to 85 percent ($195,500) of total available grant award funding is reserved for the California FFA Association; the non-profit organization that represents state-adopted Agricultural Education Programs (Education Code Sections 52450-52454). These programs have proven to be effective on a statewide basis in meeting the priorities and intent of the CalAgPlate program. Tier 1 grant awards range from $10,000 to $195,500 per project. Tier 2 – Local/Community/State Agricultural Education Programs Up to 15 percent ($34,500) of available funding will be awarded to eligible Local/Community/State Agricultural Education Programs. This Tier is open to non-profit organizations, as well as state, local, and Indian tribal government agencies within California which promote and administer agricultural education and leadership programs targeting K-12, post-secondary, and adult education. Individual schools and school districts are encouraged to partner with eligible non-profit organizations. Institutes of higher learning are ineligible to directly apply*, however, they can partner with eligible organizations on a proposed CalAgPlate project. Tier 2 grant awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 per project. Funding Category I: Agricultural Education In this funding category, CDFA will consider projects that enhance and benefit agricultural education opportunities for students and educators. Examples:• Agricultural curriculum development and implementation• School/community garden enrichment programs• Interactive agriculture learning experiences, outdoor agricultural education programs (e.g., farms/ranches)• Agriculture demonstrations/activities (e.g., exhibits). Funding Category II: Agricultural Career Awareness, Development and Training In this funding category, CDFA will consider projects that advance, promote and support agricultural career development and training for high school and college students. Examples:• Interactive training experiences and mentorship programs• Practical career preparation and career advancement opportunities• Outreach programs and career expos• Informational workshops for next-generation/beginning farmers. Funding Category III: Agricultural Leadership Development In this funding category, CDFA will consider projects that provide leadership experiences and skills for participants that encourage agricultural leadership development. Examples:• Agricultural leadership conferences• Agricultural leadership training programs• Education tours focusing on agricultural policy issues/areas.

Important dates

Opened

Oct 6, 2026

Application deadline

Nov 2, 2026 09:00

Expected award announcement

January 2027

Period of performance

1/1/2027-6/30/2028

Funding details

Total estimated available

$230,000.00

Estimated amount per award

Between $2,500.00 and $195,500.00

Expected number of awards

Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.

Letter of intent required

No

Matching funds

Not Required

Funding source

State

Funding method

Advances & Reimbursement(s)

Funding method notes

Recipients are required to submit invoices at least quarterly, but no more frequently than monthly for reimbursement of actual expenses incurred to support approved project activities. Invoices must include documentation to support reimbursement requested. 501(c)(3) organizations may be eligible to receive an advance payment to cover anticipated project expenditures up to 25 percent of the total award, and must be submitted to CDFA for approval.

How to apply

Read the full guidelines on the grantor's site, then apply there. Nothing is submitted through this site.

Submission: url: https://applications.cdfa.ca.gov/grants/s

• Grant guidelines & application ↗
• CA Department of Food and Agriculture ↗
• Grantor's own update list ↗
• Original listing on grants.ca.gov ↗

Questions about this grant: name: Office of Grants Administration; email: [email protected]; tel: 1-916-657-3231;