What kind of products do I need to be growing/raising/fishing to be eligible?
There is no restriction on what type of products your foodways operation is producing other than your harvests are meant for human consumption.

Is there an age limit to apply for these grants?
Yes, applicants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for this funding.

I am a part-owner of a cooperatively owned farm business, is my farm eligible to receive a grant?
These grants will be given to individual owners. Individuals who own parts of a cooperative operation are eligible to apply and may put their funding toward projects, but the cooperative must pick an individual owner to represent the operation on the application.

I have a hand-shake or verbal agreement to use the land and/or equipment for my operations, can I still apply?
Yes, but please present a project that is not tied to permanent infrastructure that can’t be moved or used in the event you are unable to remain using the land or equipment in the long term. We ask that you demonstrate in your application that your project has flexibility and some longevity (i.e. purchases or investments made can move with you if you need to seek a new arrangement.)

My project budget exceeds PCF’s maximum grant bid, can I still apply?
If your project budget is much larger than PCF’s maximum grant bid of $3,500, you are eligible to apply, however, we request that you demonstrate where the additional funding is coming from to make up the difference (i.e. savings, pre-approval for a loan or otherwise). If you do not have a set plan for raising the extra funds at the time of submitting your application as to how you will raise the auxiliary funding needed to complete the project, we highly encourage you to present a project that is within the $1,000 to $3,500 range we are offering.

Do I have to have organic certifications or sustainability measures in place to apply?
No. We are keenly aware that the state’s policies around organic certifications create significant hurdles for most operators and as a result, we are not making it an eligibility requirement. However, we are enthusiastic about operations that are run sustainably to enhance and conserve natural resources. If you can illustrate how you currently implement or plan to implement sustainable practices and/or ethics it will contribute to the strength of your application.

Why does PCF request information regarding operating expenses and gross revenue?
One of our three main criteria in evaluating applications is need. We will prioritize applicants for whom the grant money will make a significant difference in their financial ability to meet their goals and improve operations.

Are hydroponic/aquaponic producers eligible for this funding?
Yes.

Are grants available to foodways operations outside of California?
No.

Why do I need to submit photos with the application?
We love to see the people and places for the application. This does not affect your eligibility or probability of receiving a grant. Moreover, if the applicant is selected, their name and photos will be included in a public announcement of grant recipients on PCF’s website, social media platforms, and marketing materials, so having photos on hand will streamline this process for us.

What is the timeline for when I have to spend the money if I receive a grant?
Final reports for the 2024 grant season are due in October of 2025. We require that you will have used the funds by that time and we would like to know how the project went and if goals are on their way to being met.

I work out of a location that is owned by a city/park district or the state as a volunteer, am I eligible to apply?
At this time we are not supporting community or school garden projects run by volunteers. Individual farmers, ranchers, fisherfolks or aquaculture purveyors who founded and manage a for-profit project and are using their work to support themselves financially by selling their harvest may apply. Please note, that non-profit organizations are not eligible at this time.

I want to use the grant funds to launch a value-added product to enhance revenue streams, can I apply?
Yes, as long as the majority of ingredients are sourced from your operation. If you are launching a product that is not the same as the operation's name, please explain your reasoning in the project description of the application. Value-added products are raw products that have been modified or enhanced to have a higher market value and/or a longer shelf life. Some examples include fruits made into jams, meats made into jerky, seaweed made into seasoning, and tomatoes and peppers made into salsa.

Are these grants open to purveyors of all races and genders?
Equity is essential to Pine Cone Foundation's work. These grants are not designed to exclude anyone but are designed to recognize that not all people interested in foodways careers are starting from equal access historically and presently to similar agricultural financial resources. While these grants are open to all races and gender identities, we believe in ensuring that at least half of those who receive grants identify as BIPOC, as well as womxn, nonbinary, and trans foodways folx, is an important step to resisting the systemic racism and sexism that has historically kept these groups from accessing financial resources in agriculture, ranching and beyond. Because there are BIPOC applicants who are women, nonbinary and trans, and vice versa, these commitments do not add up to 100% of all grants available.

If I received Pine Cone Foundation funding in previous years can I receive one again?
We are not currently offering grants to those who have received funding in the past.

If you have any other questions about the application or our organization, we welcome you to email us via the contact page.