Available Resources

Agricultural Grants Available

Value Added Grants

Grants are available to assist producers who want to add value to the commodities they produce on their farm.  The deadline for applying for the 2008 Value-Added Producer Grant Program is March 31.

Since 2001, a total of 12 businesses in Hawaii have been awarded more than $1 million in grant funds through this program. This year $18 million is available through this nationally competitive program. Grants are available to independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Further information about Value-Added Producer Grants and other Rural Development programs is available by calling the agency at 808-933-8313, at a local Rural Development office or at www.rurdev.usda.gov. A copy of the 2008 Value Added Producer Grant Notice of Solicitation of Application is available at

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm. 

Renewable Energy Loans and Grants

The USDA will accept $220.9 million in loan and grant applications within USDA’s Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program.

Loan guarantees and grants are available to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. 

Eligible applicants may seek loan guarantees to cover up to 50 percent of a project’s cost, not to exceed $10 million.  Grants are available for up to 25 percent of a project’s cost, not to exceed $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements and $500,000 for renewable energy systems.  USDA Rural Development has invested $674 million in more than 1,763 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects since 2001.  These investments include ethanol, biodiesel, wind, solar, geothermal, methane gas recovery systems and biomass.

The Bush administration’s Farm Bill proposal recommends a $1.6 billion increase in renewable energy funding. Details are available at www.usda.gov/farmbill .

USDA will issue one grant solicitation for two separate competitions in FY 2008.  For the first competitive window, grant-only applications must be submitted no later than April 15, 2008.  For the second competitive window, grant-only applications must be submitted no earlier than April 16, 2008, and no later than June 16, 2008.  Applications for loan guarantees, as well as those for loan/grant combinations must be completed and submitted to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than June 16, 2008. 

Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .

Artists in the Schools (AITS) Project Grants

Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 15, 2008The Artists in the Schools (AITS) School Year 2008-2009 Project Grants are open to DOE public schools and Hawaii public charter schools. Schools are required to develop the grant application with an approved teaching artist from the Artistic Teaching Partners Roster. You may download application materials and the teaching artists roster from the SFCA website by clicking on Artists in the Schools Program. For more information contact SFCA Arts Education Coordinator Vivien Lee at 586-0768 or email vivien.lee@hawaii.gov.

SFCA Biennium Grants

State Foundation on Culture and the Arts awarded Biennium Grants totaling $1,583,199 for 106 projects in Fiscal Year 2007-2008. This was the first year of SFCA’s online application process, Ko‘o Hana No‘eau, which was designed and implemented by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF). The grants were awarded in five program areas – Arts Education, Community Arts, Heritage and Preservation, Presentation, and Presentation – Performing Arts. To see a list of awards, click on SFCA Biennium Grants FY08. For more information, click on SFCA Biennium Grants Program.

Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program

Application Deadline: Friday, April 18, 2008 The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is now accepting applications for its Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program. An eligible apprenticeship team consists of an accomplished and recognized folk or traditional teaching artist and an experienced apprentice. Funding per apprenticeship ranges from $2,800 to $5,000. You may download forms for the SFCA Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program for 2008-2009 by clicking on the following links, Guidelines and Application. For more information, click on SFCA Folk Arts Program or call 586-0306.

Molokai Health Foundation/Molokai General Hospital Scholarship

The Molokai Health Foundation and Molokai General Hospital is pleased to once again offer college scholarships to students pursuing careers in health care and/or human services fields. Scholarship applications are available at Molokai General Hospital’s Administration Office as well as Maui Community College – Molokai Education Center. Application Deadline: Postmarked by Monday, March 31, 2008. Award to be applied to direct educational expenses only (tuition, fees, books). For more information contact: Punahele Alcon at (808) 553-3123.

Recruiting Native Hawaiians for Summer Programs

Ka’Imi’Ike – Explorations in the Geosciences

A 3-week summer boarding experience for students at any University of Hawaii campus with an interest in learning about earth, weather and water sciences. Boarding and meals for the 3 weeks are provided plus a stipend for your time. For more information: http://hbmp.hawaii.edu/kaimiike , 808-956-6846

PIPES – Environmental Summer Internships

The UH Hawaiian Internship Program links kama’aina to 11-week paid environmental internships with agencies and organizations through the State of Hawaii. A great opportunity for students to find summer employment on their home island, while gaining valuable skills and experiences in fields of conservation, resource management or environmental education. For more information: www.uhh.hawaii.edu/uhintern, 808-933-0705