National Bison Business & Market Program

National Bison Business & Market Program

Funder: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service – Advancing Markets for Producers Program (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-BPMGP-G-25-0001)

Managing Organizations: Partnership between Flower Hill Institute, Mad Agriculture, and the National Bison Association

Geographic Scope: 50 States, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Program Overview:
This program is designed to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of bison and bison products in the United States through business and resource development, and the advancement of innovative solutions or approaches to support the long-term growth of the bison sector. The program pairs industry experts with hands-on technical guidance and targeted financial support to producers to connect them to viable markets and increase production capacity.

Total Program Funding: $3.38 million

Award Range: $50,000 – $150,000 per project

Period of Performance: Up to 2 years

Program Goals

Through a partnership integrating on-the-ground production support, business and operational development, and market access and industry coordination, the initiative will:
• Strengthen production systems
• Improve business performance
• Expand market participation
• Generate actionable insights for the broader industry

Problem Statement

The U.S. Bison Industry faces barriers such as:
• Limited processing and market access
• Lack of coordinated technical and business support directly to producers
• Varying levels of production capacity

Funding Priorities

Projects must align with one or more of the following:

1. Production Improvement & Capacity Expansion

Grazing and land management

Herd health and production systems

Infrastructure supporting operational efficiency

2. Business Development & Financial Viability

Enterprise planning and cost structure development

Scaling production and improving profitability

Risk management strategies

3. Market Access & Value Chain Development

Processing and distribution solutions

Market diversification

Buyer relationships and product positioning

4. Community and Industry Advancement

Tribal and community-based food systems

Producer collaboration and network development

Knowledge sharing and industry learning

Strengthening community food systems and local economies

Eligible Applicants

Organization Types:

Agricultural Businesses or Cooperatives: Businesses or member-owned entities that provide, hold, deliver, transport, offer, or sell agricultural products or services for member benefit

Producer Networks or Associations: Producer group- or member-owned organizations that provide, offer, or sell agricultural products or services through a common distribution system for mutual member benefit

Local Governments: Any unit of government within a State (county, borough, municipality, city, town, township, parish, local public authority, special district, school district, etc.)

Nonprofit Corporations: Organizations with State or IRS 501(c) status, including accredited institutions of higher education

Economic Development Corporations: Organizations whose missions are to improve, maintain, develop, and/or market or promote a specific geographic area

Tribal Governments: Governing bodies or governmental agencies of any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group certified by the Secretary of the Interior

Federally chartered Tribal organizations: Tribal corporations chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934

Geographic Requirements:
All applicants must be based in the 50 States, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Priority Considerations

Priority will be given to applicants who:
• Are actively engaged in bison production or directly supporting producers
• Demonstrate readiness to implement proposed activities
• Align with the program goals of production growth and market participation

Eligible Project Examples

The following are examples of eligible activities (not exhaustive):
• Implementation of adaptive grazing systems, including fencing and water infrastructure
• Grazing planning and herd management improvements to increase production efficiency
• Business planning, financial modeling, and enterprise expansion strategies
• Investments in handling facilities or equipment that improve operational capacity
• Projects to increase herd size or improve herd health and performance
• Development of regionally appropriate production systems and infrastructure
• Improving access to processing, aggregation, or distribution channels
• Market development, including new buyer relationships or sales channels
• Value-added product development using bison meat or byproducts
• Tribal and community-based projects supporting local food systems
• Participation in producer case studies, demonstration projects, or data collection
• Engagement with technical assistance providers to implement operational improvements

Ineligible or Non-Allowable Activities

The following activities are NOT eligible for funding:
• Land acquisition or real estate purchases
• Major construction projects not directly tied to production improvements
• General operating expenses not directly tied to project activities
• Debt repayment or refinancing
• Lobbying or political activities
• Research projects without a clear, direct benefit to producer operations
• Projects that do not demonstrate a clear connection to bison production or market development