Dairy Promotion Grant Program (SEMAP)

Dairy Promotion Grant Program (SEMAP) is sponsored by SEMAP. This grant program provides funding to eligible individuals and organizations for activities that improve public perception of dairy farming and/or increase consumption of local dairy products.

**Food Access Infrastructure Initiative Grant**")**| Deadline: November 10th** _**Goals:**_ Farm Credit East's Food Access Infrastructure Initiative provides grants to organizations working to improve food security in the Northeast. The goals of eligible projects could include but are not limited to: * Increase produce handling functionality. * Expand cooler or freezer storage.

* Improve inbound or outbound logistics. * Enhance distribution capability. _**Eligibility Factors:**_ The recipient must be a non-profit organization.

Applicants should be based in Farm Credit East’s territory, although nominees from outside the territory may be eligible if the initiative for which they are being nominated is positively impacting the rural areas of Farm Credit East’s territory (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont). _**Funding Limitations:**_ Grants up to $50,000 will be awarded.

**MDAR Natural Disaster Recovery II Program**")**| Deadline: November 16th** _**Goals:**_ Provides financial assistance to aid agricultural operations that suffered weather-related losses in 2023-2024 to rebuild and recover, with the aim of supporting farm sustainability, building resilience, and enabling ongoing production.

_**Eligibility Factors:**_ Applicants must meet be is a producer that suffered an Eligible Loss in Massachusetts as a direct result of a weather event in 2023 or 2024 as defined as eligible in the RFR and had an ownership share and a production risk in the crop, livestock, or timber (including timber rights). All losses must have directly impacted production or storage of an agricultural crop.

Eligible losses include: crop loss, future economic loss, timber loss, infrastructure loss, and/or bare-ground practices necessary to mitigate land loss. _**Funding Limitations:**_ Losses for most categories must represent 15% of the value of the lost crop or infrastructure, and claims must total $2,500 or more for each applicant. _**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Estimated Award Date: February 2027.

Maximum contract end date September 30, 2027. **MDAR Climate Smart Agricultural Grant Program (CSAP) Round II**")**| Deadline: November 24th** _**Goals:**_ MDAR is accepting applications for a limited second round of CSAP funding focused on targeted, installation-ready equipment and infrastructure that protect natural resources, improve environmental performance, increase climate resilience, and reduce agricultural energy use.

Food Safety and Composting projects are not eligible under Round II. _**Eligibility Factors:**_ Eligible applicants are Massachusetts farmers who operate an agricultural business engaged in production agriculture that has been in continuous operation on the same property for a minimum of three years prior to the date of application.

Agricultural operations that have received an award under CSAP-Round I are not eligible to apply for funding. _**Funding Limitations:**_ Applicants may submit one application requesting up to $50,000 per agricultural operation (as identified by a unique tax identification number). Applicants are required to contribute a minimum 20% cash match of total project costs.

_**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Estimated Award Date: February 2027. All projects must be invoiced by June 30, 2027. **Next Generation Farmer Fund**")**| Deadline: December 1st** _**Goals:**_ The Next Generation Farmer Fund will provide grants, including conservation technical assistance, to young farmers and ranchers across the country.

Projects may focus on soil health, water management, energy use, and biodiversity and should make a meaningful impact on both the farm or ranch operation and the land. _**Eligibility Factors:**_ Eligible applicants are 40 years old or younger, actively farming in a U.S. state or territory, and producing food or fiber primarily. _**Funding Limitations:**_ Awards will range from $10,000–$50,000.

_**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Estimated Award Date: February 2027.

**Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant**")**| Pre-Application Deadline: December 17th** _**Goals:**_ This grant supports projects that modernize outdated systems or introduce innovative solutions to improve farm viability, increase animal health and comfort, improve milk quality or value, improve worker conditions, and strengthen the farm’s ability to respond to challenges.

_**Eligibility Factors:**_ Eligible applicants include dairy farmers, producer associations or technical service providers applying on behalf of groups of farmers, and milk buyers focusing on on-farm milk production or transfer. Grants are available to applicants in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

_**Funding Limitations:**_ Awards will range from $15,000 – $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution required. _**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Please note that this year, this program is moving to a two-stage application process because of high demand for grant funds. Applicants will submit a pre-application outlining their intended project.

A subset of pre-applications will be invited to submit a full application. ## **ROLLING APPLICATIONS, NO DEADLINE** **Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund**") _**Goals:**_ To aid Food & Beverage industry professionals with emergency funds to cover essentials in the event of an unforeseen crisis.

_**Eligibility Factors:**_ To qualify, you must currently be employed in the food and beverage industry, working a minimum of 30 hours per week for at least six months. _**Funding Limitations:**_ Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and funding is determined by the applicant’s demonstrated need and the eligible expenses that Southern Smoke Foundation can support.

_**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Applicants are eligible for funding once every 12 months and may receive funding twice within a four-year period. Additionally, your unforeseen crisis must have occurred within the six months prior to your application date.

**USDA On Farm Labor Housing Loans**") _**Goals:**_ Provides affordable financing to develop or rehabilitate affordable rental housing for very-low to moderate income domestic, migrant, and seasonal farm laborers. It also provides funding used to increase the supply of affordable housing for farm labor; and the ability of the farmer to provide affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing for farm workers.

_**Eligibility Factors:**_ Eligible applicants include: * Family farm partnership * Family farm corporation _**Funding Limitations:**_ Total funding pool is $5 million. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. _**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Applications are accepted the first week of every month.

**Dairy Promotion Grant for Farmers**") _**Goals:**_ This grant program provides funding to eligible individuals and organizations for activities that improve public perception of dairy farming and/or increase consumption of local dairy products.

_**Eligibility Factors:**_ Eligible applicants include: * Dairy farmers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont (applicants must be associated with the production of cow’s milk) * Retired dairy farmers or agriculture advocates, in partnership with an active dairy producer * Agriculture organizations (FFA, Farm Bureau, 4-H, etc.) within our five state region _**Funding Limitations:**_ $2,400 in funding annually is available per farm.

_**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply at least six weeks prior to your event or activity. Applicants will be notified by email of approval or denial, as well as the total funding amount.

You can expect a decision within three weeks of submitting your grant application. Approved applicants will receive funding approximately two weeks after we receive your completed grant paperwork, which includes an LOA, W9, and other documents. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Grant recipients are required to submit a grant report after completion of the event or activity to remain eligible in the next calendar year. **Black Farmers Learn**") _**Goals:**_ The _Black Farmers Learn_ educational subsidy will pay tuition or registration fees of up to $500 for Black farmers or land stewards who wish to expand their knowledge or skills via a self-identified training program.

This program honors education from structured sources available to the public; this includes schools, farming institutions, land or agricultural collectives, and conferences or training that offer to deepen skills and increase farming capacity.

_**Eligibility Factors:**_ This program is available to Black farmers or land stewards who are members of the Northeast Farmers of Color (NEFOC) Network") and are pursuing publicly available, structured education programs. _**Funding Limitations:**_ This program will pay tuition or registration fees up to $500. _**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Applications are accepted the first week of every month.

**Farmer Self-Care Award**") _**Goals:**_ The goal of this award is to support farmers' self-care needs. Examples include dinner with friends and family, deep tissue massage, gym or yoga membership, therapy sessions, family fun day and more.

_**Eligibility Factors:**_ Farmers and ranchers operating in the contiguous United States, including all U.S. territories, have an annual farming income of $1,000 or more, and have never received a Real Farmer Care self-care award before. _**Funding Limitations:**_ Awards are $100 per applicant. Grants will be distributed via Visa/Mastercard e-gift cards.

_**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Applications will be accepted and reviewed in the order in which they are received. Funds will be awarded when available and award distribution will occur in seasonal rounds. Applications submitted after the initial window or beyond fund availability will be considered for funding in future rounds.

**Black Farmer Fund Rapid Response Fund**") _**Goals:**_ The goal of this award is to provide financial support to Black Farmers and Food Business Owners experiencing a one-time emergency. _**Eligibility Factors:**_ Black Farmers and Food Business Owners operating in the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Rhode Island).

The business must be in operation for at least one year. The business has demonstrated engagement, work and support with community members. _**Funding Limitations:**_ Up to $10,000 awards granted for general emergencies.

For 2025 Funding Freeze/Cancellation emergency award maximum is $50,000. _**Anticipated Timeline:**_ Four rounds of funding available per year. See website for timeline.

Need grant writing assistance? SEMAP can help you with your grant application process in several ways. We can provide start-to-finish guidance, application review, letters of support, and online resources.