Sun Grants Consulting

10/07/2026

⚖️ REAP UPDATE: Lawsuit Filed Against USDA

On September 28, the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and Earthjustice filed a lawsuit challenging USDA’s actions involving the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

The lawsuit is especially important for farmers and rural small businesses whose REAP applications were caught in USDA’s March 31, 2026 announcement and were no longer processed under the rules in place when they applied.

The lawsuit asks the court to:

➡️ Invalidate USDA’s challenged REAP policy; and
➡️ Require USDA to process affected applications under the rules that were in place when USDA received them.

Why does this matter to Sun Grants Consulting clients?

Many of our clients followed USDA’s rules, invested significant time and money into their projects, and submitted their applications in good faith—only to have those applications stopped before receiving a final decision.

If the lawsuit is successful, it could provide a path for affected applications to be considered under the rules that existed when they were originally submitted. The outcome is not guaranteed, but this case could have significant implications for applicants left behind by USDA’s policy changes.

Sun Grants Consulting was proud to assist ELPC in gathering information and data about how USDA’s actions affected REAP applicants and their projects.

For our clients who have been waiting for answers: we have not forgotten about you or your projects. We will continue following this case closely and sharing updates as they become available.

🔗 Learn more about the lawsuit from ELPC:
https://elpc.org/news/elpc-sues-usda-over-new-rules-blocking-solar-funding-for-rural-america/

Washington, DC, Sept. 28, 2026 – The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and Earthjustice today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) challenging USDA’s efforts to write solar energy out of the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP). USDA has imposed unlawfu...

07/06/2026

💰 USDA MPPEP Phase 4 funding can provide substantial support for growth.

Two funding categories are available:

🔹 Processing Expansion Projects
Award Size: $50,000 – $2,000,000

🔹 Simplified Equipment-Only Projects
Award Size: $10,000 – $250,000

Whether you're planning a facility upgrade, adding new equipment, increasing production capacity, or modernizing operations, this funding may help move your project forward.

Sun Grants Consulting specializes in developing strong grant narratives, budgets, financial projections, and supporting documentation for competitive USDA applications.

Let's discuss your expansion plans.

06/26/2026

Are you eligible for USDA's Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) Phase 4?

This funding opportunity is targeted toward:
🥩 Very Small Processors
🥩 Small Processors
🥩 Intermediate Processors

Eligible applicants generally include independently owned and operated meat processing businesses that primarily process cattle and meet USDA program requirements.

The program is designed to strengthen local and regional processing capacity while creating more opportunities for producers and consumers.

Not sure if your business qualifies?

Sun Grants Consulting can help determine eligibility and guide you through the application process.

06/25/2026

USDA REAP Grant Update

We know many of you have been disappointed by the USDA's decision to terminate previously submitted REAP grant applications that had not yet received an award from the September 2023 through March 31, 2026 funding cycles.

We want to sincerely thank everyone who contacted their elected officials and shared how this decision affects their business, farm, or project. Your voice matters, and your advocacy has helped bring attention to this issue.

There are ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to address the situation, and Sun Grants Consulting will continue to share updates as new information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

06/18/2026

Just a heads up: USDA MPPEP (Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program) Phase 4 is open. Applications due August 7, 2026. Sun Grants Consulting can help.

01/26/2022

At the 2022 Iowa Pork Congress talking to pork producers about how solar can save greatly reduce their energy cost.