MICROGRANTS

Microgrant Timeline

• Application period, May – August
• Judging, September – October
• Winner notification and grant contract submissions, November – December
• Public announcement of winners, January

To Apply for a Microgrant:

• Watch the “How to Submit a Livestock Conservancy Microgrant Application” video above. (We find that a majority of successful applicants have viewed, and followed the information presented in the video.
• Complete this online application (preferred) OR
• Request an application by sending an email to info@livestockconservancy.org

Please note: Because applications greatly outnumber available grant awards, we are unable to fund all projects. Many people will apply; not all will be selected as recipients.

About Microgrants:

The Livestock Conservancy’s Microgrants put dollars into the hands of the people who do the hard work, day after day, to steward genetic treasures for the security of tomorrow’s food and fiber system.  Since 2019, we have awarded over $150,000 to farmers and organizations raising and supporting endangered breeds of livestock and poultry across America. The program includes three categories: National, Youth, and Breed Associations. The National and Youth awards can be used to fund things such as basic infrastructure improvements, provide new genetics for an existing breeding program, marketing tools, and more. They are meant to support people already doing good work with their breeds and not typically to get a start in rare breeds. The Breed Associations grant can be used for a wide array of things such as website improvements, studbook work, computer purchase, germplasm preservation and other needs that help move groups forward in the conservation efforts.

Microgrant Categories:

• National Microgrants: This category is open to residents and organizations of the U.S. who are actively working with livestock and poultry breeds listed on the Conservation Priority List (CPL). Support will be provided through this competitive program for improvements to a variety of farm-related operations, including, but not limited to, livestock, poultry, infrastructure, processing equipment or services, milk, meat, wool and egg production and sales, agritourism, promotions and marketing. Awards typically range from $500 – $2,000, at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy. A fencing-related project in this category is sponsored by Premier 1 Supplies.

• Youth Microgrants: This U.S.-based program provides funding for youth projects for individuals 12-18 years of age who are actively working with breeds listed on the CPL. Support will be provided through this competitive program for a farm-related operations similar to the National microgrants. Awards range from $500 – $2,000, at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy.

• Breed Association Microgrants: This program is open to U.S. based associations and clubs working with breeds listed on The Livestock Conservancy’s CPL. Funds are intended to help associations and clubs improve services for their membership and conservation of their breeds. Awards are typically made to organizations in existence for at least three years, meet their state’s requirements for operating as a business or corporation (no Sole Proprietors or Partnerships), and have board approval to pursue the project. Suitable expenditures of Breed Association Microgrants include, but are not limited to, marketing materials, website improvements, gene banking, software, educational events, developing strategic plans, DNA studies, flock or herd rescues.
• Emergency Response Microgrant: Funding for emergency assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis to rare breed stewards and organizations. The Livestock Conservancy is alerted occasionally to situations where genetically important animals (individuals or groups) are in danger of being lost to the breed due to environmental catastrophe, global crisis, or owner death or disability. In some of these situations it is appropriate for The Livestock Conservancy to provide assistance to ensure that they are not lost to the breed. These funds are for emergencies only, and it will be up to the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy to determine if the project meets our conservation mission.

• Once an application is received, the genetic importance of the animal or group will be examined through pedigree research or historical records, by The Livestock Conservancy staff or experts it designates. This will help determine whether losing the animals threatens the breed’s genetic integrity. Funds will only be provided for breeds listed on the CPL, and may be used for animal transportation, short-term housing, sometimes short-term feed, veterinary care, and infrastructure. Awards will typically be in the range of $500 – $1,000 per application and at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy. Emergency Response Fund applications will be available as funding allows. Apply here.

• Additional Information:

  For full consideration, applicants must:

  1. Currently works with livestock, poultry, or products from purebed animals on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List of heritage breeds (CPL). Strong preference is given to applicants who are already raising the species and breed described in the project, to maximize the conservation impact of microgrants
  2. Complete the application, including a detailed plan for the use of the grant funds, project goals and methods, a clear timeline for achieving proposed goals, a detailed project budget, how the project will impact both the breed and other producers, and how you will evaluate success.
  3. Include two letters of recommendation from a professional relationship or educator. If the applicant is under 18, a letter of support from a parent or guardian is also required. These can be attached within the online application as a PDF, MS Word, or JPEG file. Letters may not be requested of or provided by current staff or board members of The Livestock Conservancy.
  4. Microgrant recipients are required to submit a written report and pictures or videos showing the use and impact of the microgrant funds within one year of accepting the award.
  5. Special consideration will be given to farmers who are active members of their breed association, those who are active participants or mentors in their agricultural communities or farm organizations, and farmers who will represent The Livestock Conservancy at local events by displaying heritage animals during the year following receipt of the microgrant.

  Start planning your project to save rare and endangered livestock breeds from extinction!

  Microgrant applicants will need to register for an account within the microgrants system. Note that this is NOT connected to a Livestock Conservancy membership account. This is a new account just for submitting microgrant applications.

Tiffany Taylor, a 2022-2023 Recipient Talks About Her Microgrant

Please contact Jberanger@LivestockConservancy.org or (919) 542-5704 with questions.

Please note, current employees and Directors of The Livestock Conservancy and their spouses are not eligible for the microgrants program, nor may they be used for letters of recommendation. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

If you would like to help fund microgrants or other initiatives, please contact Allison Kincaid, Executive Director at (984) 208-9780 or at akincaid@livestockconservancy.org.