NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
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Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) launched a new grants management system, MiAgGrants - a streamlined system to reduce user barriers and allow more access to MDARD’s grant opportunities.
“As I’ve met with food and agriculture business owners across our state, I’ve repeatedly heard that businesses need easier, streamlined processes to apply for MDARDs many grant opportunities,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “MiAgGrants delivers on that need. This system will reduce barriers and save time for local businesses, farms, and non-profits as they apply for grant funding. Additionally, this program helps to manage applicant, grant, and grantee information - making our processes at MDARD more efficient. Economic opportunities and growth shouldn’t mean endless paperwork. MiAgGrants marks a major step forward for streamlining processes to better serve Michiganders and business owners.”
The new MiAgGrants system is designed to help manage MDARD’s grant programs from Request for Proposal to closing out a grant award. This includes data management, financial review assistance, and active grant monitoring for applicant, grant, and grantee information. For ease of access, the system will support the development of an electronic grant application submission, a competitive application review process, and management of the awarded grant projects.
Additionally, this system will allow MDARD to send applicants reminders and communicate more efficiently with grantees. Along with this new grant management system, new grant program opportunities will be available via the system in 2024 including a Value-Added Regional Food Systems Grant, a Resilient Food System Infrastructure Grant, a Minority Program Grant, and an already open Specialty Crop Block Grant.
When a new user logs in, the below dashboard is what they will see. As they navigate through the site, applicants are able to view all of the grants that are currently open and those that are upcoming that are offered by MDARD.
“By increasing our communication with grantees and applicants, our team will be able to answer applicant questions more effectively throughout the application process within the new system, says Heather Throne, MDARD Grants and Commodity Program Manager. “MiAgGrants is a one-stop shop for Michigan businesses and communities of all sizes looking for grant services and the support they need to succeed.
For more information on MDARD grants, visit www.Michigan.gov/MDARDGrants. To learn more about the new MiAgGrants System visit our website.
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