Grant Opportunity: HiGPA

Written By Madeleine Longoria Garcia

$18.5 Million Available to Support Hawaiʻi Producers

SHAC will update this page as the timeline progresses for this grant. Please check back for updates on a weekly basis beginning June 19, 2026. Updates are added to the bottom of this page.

About The Grant

The Hawaiʻi-Grown Partnership for Agriculture (HiGPA) is making $18.5 million available to Hawaiʻi farmers, ranchers, and forest managers through the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative. Building on the success of the former Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, HiGPA is helping agricultural producers strengthen both environmental stewardship and economic viability through conservation agriculture and market development opportunities.

Through this funding opportunity, producers can receive financial incentives and technical support to implement approved conservation practices, improve farm and forest resilience, and expand market opportunities for the products they grow and raise. The program is part of a broader statewide effort that will support at least 6,500 acres of conservation implementation and provide direct financial assistance to 150 producers across Hawaiʻi through 2028.

Funding is available across several categories, including Conservation Practice Incentives ($10.5 million), Marketing Incentives ($7.5 million), Data Reporting ($150,000), Producer Travel ($200,000), and Farmer-to-Farmer Training ($20,000). Eligible applicants must be located in Hawaiʻi, sell at least one agricultural crop or commodity, register with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), and commit to implementing at least one approved conservation practice.

The application process begins with a pre-screen eligibility application opening on June 15, 2026. Eligible applicants will gain access to the full application portal beginning June 26, 2026. The first round of applications is due July 31, 2026, with award notifications anticipated after mid-August. Contracts are expected to be executed by the end of 2026, with up to 75% of awarded funds available upfront to help producers launch their projects.

HiGPA is delivered through a collaborative network of Hawaiʻi agricultural organizations and guided by a Producer Council to ensure the program remains responsive to producer needs. Together, these partners are working to strengthen local agriculture, improve conservation outcomes, and create new market opportunities that support Hawaiʻi's food systems, rural economies, and natural resources.

For more information on the grant, eligibility requirements, and application materials, visit the HiGPA website or contact them via email at producersupport@lynker.com

Step-by-Step Instructions

(updated 22 June 2026)

There are Two Phases to Take Note Of:

  1. FSA Eligibility Determination (happening NOW; recommended completion by July 20)

  2. Grant Application Period (June 26 – July 31 for maximum funding)

The instructions below are to determine your eligibility.

STEP 1: Check Your Acreage

Before you do anything else, determine if your farming operation meets the minimum acreage requirements for HiGPA eligibility:

  • Floriculture: 1 acre minimum

  • Orchardists (coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, cacao): 4 acres minimum

If you don't meet these minimums, you are not eligible for this grant. No need to proceed further.
If you DO meet the acreage requirement, continue to Step 2.

STEP 2: Establish Your FSA Farm Numbers

Contact your local FSA office to get your FSA farm, tract, and field numbers assigned.
Why do this first? You'll need these FSA numbers to complete the other required forms and the eligibility check.

STEP 3: Check Your FSA Eligibility & Complete Required Forms

Once you have your FSA numbers, here are three forms you'll need to complete:

  1. AD-2047 (Customer Data Worksheet) — Your basic farm information
    https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/documents/farmersgov-form-ad-2047.pdf

  2. AD-1026 (Highly Erodible Land Certification) — Conservation compliance
    https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/documents/form-ad1026-highly-erodible-land.pdf

  3. Farm Operating Plan — Choose ONE that matches your operation:

Why start now? The grant application is complex. Getting your FSA paperwork done early gives you a head start and ensures you're ready when the full application opens June 26.

STEP 4: Go to the Eligibility Portal

Fill out the required information and select your Producer Engagement Teams. When completing the eligibility form, you'll see a question: "Please select Producer Engagement Team(s) you are affiliated with (select all that apply)." Select ALL organizations you work with. This includes:

  • SHAC (Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council) — if you grow coffee, cacao, papaya, floriculture, or macadamia nuts

  • Any other organizations you are connected with on the list

This helps both SHAC and other organizations track interest and provide support to the farmers we serve.

STEP 5: Expect More Details Soon

The full application portal opens June 26. We'll send more info to help farmers navigate the application process. More details coming soon—watch this page! Questions? Contact SHAC for assistance with the application process.

For more information on the grant, eligibility requirements, and application materials, visit the HiGPA website or contact them via email at producersupport@lynker.com

More Information

Grant Application Assistance

(updated 26 June 2026)

We are opening one-on-one sessions with Joan Obra, SHAC’s Senior Program Manager, to help you navigate this grant application. These are free 30-minute meetings with SHAC staff, where you can ask questions about the grant and receive insights on how to accurately complete your application and navigate the NRDS platform. You are also welcome to book as a small group (no larger than 5), if you want to navigate the process together. You can book your session today using the link below. Available time slots begin on July 2nd.

This is a service we are offering you, farmers who produce the crops represented under the SHAC umbrella, and ask that producers of other crops contact their Producer Engagement Team listed on HiGPA’s website. Crops currently represented by SHAC include:

  • Cacao

  • Coffee

  • Floriculture

  • Macadamia Nuts

  • Papaya

Please only book a one-on-one with us if you meet the following criteria:

  1. You farm in Hawaiʻi and sell (or plan to sell) at least one crop or commodity:

    • Orchard/tree crops (cacao, coffee, macadamia nuts, and papaya): minimum 4 acres

    • Floriculture: minimum 1 acre

    2. You have registered (or will register) your farm with USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

  2. You have completed (or will complete) the FSA Eligibility Determination before your scheduled meeting with SHAC.

  3. You are willing to implement at least one approved conservation practice.

  4. You sell (or plan to sell) products under your own brand—whether to other businesses (B2B) or directly to customers (B2C).

Additionally, please review the information shared here before you schedule a meeting with us.

Book Your Meeting
Madeleine Longoria Garcia