Grants for Farmers

NOFA-NH Farmer Resilience Fund Mini-Grant is a grant from the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire that funds organic farmers in New Hampshire seeking to build climate resilience. The program supports expenses related to healthy soil practices, on-farm climate resilience measures, new supplies and equipment, soil tests, insect prevention, and NRCS organic cost-share practices. Small-scale certified organic farmers with gross income under $25,000 are eligible for up to $250 in organic certification fee reimbursements. The fund also offers emergency and disaster assistance grants. Funding is provided through a donation from Stonyfield Organic and individual donors.

The Farmer Resiliency Mini-Grants program is offered by NOFA-NH to help small-scale certified organic farmers in New Hampshire offset the cost of organic certification. Awards of up to $250 per applicant reimburse a portion of 2025 organic certification fees. Eligible applicants are certified organic New Hampshire farmers with gross farm income of less than $25,000 per year. The program builds on prior successful grant cycles and reflects NOFA-NH's commitment to supporting organic agriculture in the state. The application deadline was February 15, 2026. Farmers must complete the online application to be considered for reimbursement.

The NOFA-NH Farmer Resilience Fund Mini-Grants are offered by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) to support organic and transitioning-to-organic farmers in New Hampshire. The program provides up to $250 per certified organic farmer with gross income under $25,000 to help cover organic certification costs, drawing from a $26,000 total pool. Any New Hampshire farmer may also apply for emergency or disaster relief through the fund. Applicants must be current NOFA-NH members. The application deadline is March 1, 2026. The program supports NOFA-NH's mission to advance organic agriculture and strengthen farm resilience across the state.

NYFIC $10,000 Grants for Sustainable Textile Innovation is a grant from the New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC) that funds New York State–based businesses, organizations, and individuals working to advance and scale sustainable textile development for fashion and interiors. The program supports farmers, researchers, manufacturers, designers, brands, retailers, and educators whose projects contribute to a more sustainable textile industry in New York State. All funded projects must be conducted primarily within New York State. Awards are up to $10,000 per recipient. This biannual grant program runs through 2027, with Round Four opening April 13, 2026, and the application deadline on June 1, 2026. Recipients are announced in the spring following each submission cycle.

Grants for Sustainable Textile Innovation (Round Four) is sponsored by New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC). This statewide grant program supports New York-based businesses and organizations working to advance and scale sustainable textile development for fashion and interiors. Projects should use fibers and materials grown, processed, or made in New York State.

Grants for Sustainable Textile Innovation is sponsored by New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC). This grant program supports New York-based businesses and organizations working to advance and scale sustainable textile development for fashion and interiors. It focuses on strengthening New York-produced materials and industry through environmentally sustainable innovations using fibers and materials grown, processed, or made in New York State.

Sprouts Growing Healthy Kids Grant is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. Growing Healthy Kids Grants support community-based programs focused on children's nutrition access, nutrition education, and health and wellness. Grants are up to $5,000 and support hands-on programs for children and their families that emphasize nutrition education, physical education, mental wellbeing or nutrition security.

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is sponsored by USDA. The FMPP helps improve and expand domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. The money goes to the organization running the market, not to individual vendors. Funds can be used to build a website, run SNAP-matching programs, buy shared equipment, or market the season opening.

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. The FMPP funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets, which can include educational components. While not solely focused on education, projects can incorporate educational initiatives related to healthy eating or agricultural practices.

The Supporting AFR100 Programme - Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBG) scheme is sponsored by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This program aims to strengthen locally led forest and landscape restoration and restoration-based livelihoods and value chains in selected landscapes in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Healthy Food Financing Program (Alabama) is sponsored by Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). This program helps businesses and non-profit organizations with projects that can supply fresh fruits, vegetables, and other grocery items to neighborhoods and communities with limited access to grocery stores. ADECA awards projects annually based on competition to food banks, food pantries, farmers markets, schools, and grocery stores.

Caribbean Infrastructure Grants is a farm infrastructure funding program from the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) supporting agricultural producers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Grants of up to ,000 are available to individual farmers, ranchers, or cooperatives who have at least three years of farming experience and a minimum of two years operating at their current location. Eligible infrastructure projects may include fencing, irrigation, equipment, and storage improvements that strengthen food production capacity. The program prioritizes food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture in the Caribbean region, helping small-scale producers build resilient farming operations that serve local communities.

Missouri Conservation Crop and Livestock (CRCL) Project - Cover Crop Programs (Rye-Soy) is sponsored by University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture. This program provides financial support to Missouri producers for planting cereal rye as a cover crop before soybeans to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and add resilience to farms. It's part of a larger initiative to encourage sustainable farming practices.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The primary goal of BFRDP is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands. This is achieved through projects that provide training, education, outreach, and technical assistance.

2026 Electric Farm Equipment Grant (EFEG) program is sponsored by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). This program helps Minnesota farmers purchase electric farm equipment to reduce air pollution. It requires a 25% cash match, and funds are provided as reimbursements. Priority is given to projects that replace diesel- and gas-powered farm equipment with electric alternatives.

Expanding Agroforestry Project is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Advancing Markets for Producers initiative. This grant program provides funding and technical assistance to farmers interested in applying agroforestry techniques to their lands. It aims to improve land health, reduce stress on livestock, and strengthen markets for agroforestry products.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 is sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners who offer value-added contributions to expand the ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns.

Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program is sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). This program provides funding to producer-led groups to support and advance farmer participation in local watershed conservation efforts, focusing on improving soil health and water quality through cost-share programs, on-farm demonstrations, research projects, and education/out…

Agricultural Innovation Grant Program is a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture that funds farmers, agricultural processors, and technical service providers implementing new technologies, conservation practices, and renewable energy innovations on Pennsylvania farms. The program is funded with $10 million in the 2025-26 state budget. Grants range from $5,000 to $2,000,000, covering project planning, on-site implementation, and regional impact projects. Eligible applicants include farmers with annual sales over $2,000, processors with sales over $10,000, and agricultural service providers. Applications must be submitted through the Single Application for Assistance portal by April 18, 2026.

Agricultural Innovation Grant Program is sponsored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Department of Agriculture). This program helps farmers and other agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable energy innovations. Grants reimburse expenses for project planning, on-site project implementation, and larger grants for projects with regional impact. Nonprofits providing technical assistance or services to farmers are eligible.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This program helps landowners, land trusts, and other eligible entities to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements. It includes both Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE).

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) is sponsored by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). The ECP provides funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to restore farmland damaged by natural disasters and for emergency water conservation measures in severe droughts. This could be relevant for repairing fences or ponds damaged by natural disasters.

Round 2 of the Farming Futures Automation and Robotics competition is the UK's largest dedicated agri-robotics funding call, offering up to 20,000,000 pounds for collaborative R&D on robotic and intelligent automated systems for farming, horticulture and forestry in England. It sits within Defra's Farming Innovation Programme and is delivered by Innovate UK. The scope is broader than previous rounds: alongside core arable and horticultural crops it now covers farmed animals, fruit, orchards, vineyards, protected cropping, ornamental plant propagation and monitoring, and forestry operations. Eligible technologies span robotic and intelligent automated machines, imaging and sensing systems for data collection, post-harvest automation carried out on farm, intelligent food storage systems, and on-farm energy management - a list that puts perception, machine learning and autonomous decision-making at the centre of what the fund will support, even though the competition title leads with robotics rather than AI. The named target problems are productivity, reliance on labour, resource use efficiency, food quality and traceability, waste, crop and animal health, animal welfare and sustainability. Two points determine whether a strong technical idea is fundable here. First, this is explicitly a collaborative competition: a minimum of two organisations must apply for funding, the lead must be a UK-registered business of any size, and no single organisation may take more than 70 per cent of eligible costs. Second, the exclusions are specific and catch applicants out - equine, wild fisheries, aquaculture, medicinal crops, food processing and forestry harvesting equipment are all out of scope. The competition opened 3 August 2026 and closes 30 September 2026 at 11:00am UK time, with projects running 12 to 36 months, starting by 1 March 2027 and ending by 28 February 2030.

Agriculture Enhancement & Diversification Program is sponsored by Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF). This program offers grants and loans to farmers and producers in Oklahoma looking to expand or diversify their agricultural operations. It includes categories for farm diversification, value-added agriculture, and veteran or young farmer projects.

Dairy Farm Improvement and Modernization Grant is sponsored by Northeast Dairy Innovation Center. This grant will fund projects that help dairy farmers improve their operations for long-term success. Eligible projects may modernize outdated systems or introduce innovative solutions to improve farm viability, reduce climate impacts, improve milk quality or value, improve worker conditions, and strengthen the farm's ability to respond to challenges.

PSR Sardegna – Intervento SRE01 “Insediamento giovani agricoltori” anno 2026 is sponsored by Regione Sardegna (within the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027). This program from the Sardinia Region supports the settlement of young farmers within the framework of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. It aims to promote generational renewal in the agricultural sector.

Farming Community Grant Program is sponsored by Northeast SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education). This program funds community-oriented research and education projects that strengthen farming and food systems at the community level in the Northeast. Projects should explore innovative social or community approaches, be farmer-informed, and collaborative, addressing quality of life and social and economic challenges.

New York State Dairy Modernization Grant Program, Round 2 is sponsored by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets / Farm and Food Growth Fund. This program provides $8. 5 million to dairy farmers and cooperatives in Round 2. Funding ranges from $50,000 to $250,000 for projects that expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve efficiencies, and invest in milk transfer systems and cooling technologies.

New York Fashion Innovation Center Grant Program is sponsored by New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC) supported by Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR). This biannual grant program supports New York-based businesses and organizations working to advance and scale sustainable textile development for fashion and interiors. The program focuses on strengthening New York-produced materials and industry.

Spark Awards is sponsored by USDA Food and Nutrition Service (via Illinois Public Health Institute & Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub). The Spark Awards fund projects that require a short-term infusion of funds for school food system and product improvements, such as capacity-building, planning, and product-testing projects within the Lake Michigan region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin). The initiative aims to build a resilient food supply chain through innovation and create a food system that develops nutritious foods for schools through industry partnerships.

NYFIC Biannual Grant Program (Round Five) is sponsored by New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC). This program supports New York-based businesses and organizations working to advance and scale sustainable textile development for fashion and interiors. Grants are awarded for projects conducted primarily in New York, focused on strengthening New York-produced materials and industry across five key areas: fiber cultivation and processing, next-generation biomaterials and manufacturing, textile supply chain and infrastructure development, sustainable yarn and textile material development, and sustainable fashion and interior design industry uses.

Pollinator Habitat Incentive Program is sponsored by American Farmland Trust and Syngenta. This program offers incentive payments for planting new acres of pollinator habitat in the Midwest region. While primarily focused on habitat creation, AI could potentially be used in conjunction with this for site selection, monitoring, or impact assessment.

USDA Innovative Agriculture Micro-grants for Chicago (IAM-Chi) is a grant from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) with University of Illinois Extension that provides micro-grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 for urban agriculture-related projects in Chicago. Funding supports infrastructure improvements, conservation initiatives, and equipment acquisition for urban producers operating in the city. This program is designed to strengthen the urban food production ecosystem in Chicago by helping small-scale and emerging agricultural operations access resources they need to grow. Applications are accepted through November 30, 2026, giving Chicago-area urban farmers and producers ample time to develop and submit competitive proposals.

Innovative Agriculture Micro-grants for Chicago (IAM-Chi) is sponsored by USDA Farm Service Agency Outreach Office and Illinois FSA Office, in cooperation with with University of Illinois Extension. These grants fund innovative projects to advance urban agriculture in Chicago, supporting conservation practices, infrastructure, on-farm equipment, and supply chain improvements. It is a first-come, first-served competitive basis program.

Southern SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant is a program from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA) that funds individual farmers, ranchers, and groups of producers in the southern United States to conduct on-farm research and education projects advancing sustainable agriculture practices. Awards of up to $20,000 support producer-led experiments, demonstrations, and outreach that benefit the farming community. Eligible applicants include individual farmers and ranchers or groups of producers across southern states, including Kentucky. Applications are submitted through the SARE Grant Management System following the annual Call for Proposals; the current deadline is December 5, 2026. Proposals are reviewed by regional administrative council committees.

Rural and Tribal Micro-Grants - NM Farmer Innovation Program is sponsored by Farm to Table New Mexico. This program, an expansion of Farm to Table's New Mexico Farmer Innovation Program, provides micro-grants to agricultural producers, political subdivisions of the state or local government, Tribal entities and agencies, and non-profit organizations in New Mexico's rural and trib…

Local Food System Infrastructure Grant is sponsored by Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). This program supports local food supply chains and market access for farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors. Grants are designed to expand and strengthen collaboration across linkages in Washington's regional food supply chain and can be used for equipment and facilities that support post-harvest handling, distribution, aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, and sale of Washington grown, caught, and raised foods.

This Horizon Europe Cluster 6 topic funds AI systems that deliver advisory support to farmers and foresters, and it sits deliberately under the GOVERNANCE destination rather than under a digital or technology heading - a placement that signals what the Commission is actually buying. The interest is not in advancing agricultural machine learning as such but in the advisory system: how AI-generated recommendations reach farm and forest managers, how they interact with existing extension services and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems, whether practitioners trust and act on them, and whether the resulting decisions demonstrably improve competitiveness and sustainability outcomes. Consortia that propose a strong model with a thin socio-institutional work package tend to be mismatched to the call. Indicative funding is approximately EUR 5-6 million per project for two projects, sized as a Research and Innovation Action - large enough to require a multi-country consortium and multi-actor design, which for Cluster 6 means genuine involvement of farmers, foresters, advisors and advisory organizations as partners rather than as study subjects. Standard Horizon Europe rules apply: consortia must include at least three independent legal entities from three different EU member states or associated countries, with RIA funding at 100 percent of eligible direct costs plus 25 percent flat-rate indirect costs. The important scheduling caveat is that despite appearing in the 2026-2027 work programme this topic is designated for a 2027 call, so it belongs on a watch list rather than in an immediate submission plan; typical Cluster 6 timing opens calls in the autumn or winter with deadlines in the following February, but applicants must confirm the actual opening and deadline against the topic page on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, since the draft work programme dates shift before final adoption. Teams intending to compete should use the lead time to assemble the advisory-sector partnerships that this topic rewards.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Cooperative Agreement is sponsored by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The RFSI program aims to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, and support the development of value-added products. Funds support expanded capacity for aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products (excluding meat and poultry).

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program is sponsored by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (administered by South Carolina Department of Agriculture). This program aims to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, and support the development of value-added products. It specifically mentions dairy as an eligible food product.

KDCJE Project - Inclusive and Resilient Dairy Development Project is sponsored by We Effect, funded by Sida/Civsam (Bilateral Aid). This project supports milk farmers to produce more, increase their part of the value chain, and get better paid. It focuses on technical assistance and advisory services, as well as value chain and socioeconomic circuit development within the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Urban Agriculture Micro-Grants (Kansas City Metro Area) is sponsored by Cultivate KC and KC Black Urban Growers (funded by Farm Service Agency and T.I.M.E. Inc.). Urban Agriculture Micro-Grants for the Kansas City Metro Area is a grant from Cultivate KC and KC Black Urban Growers, funded by Farm Service Agency and T. I. M. E. Inc. , that funds farmers in the Kansas City metropolitan area to start or expand urban agricultural operations.

Gates Foundation $1.4 Billion Commitment for Climate Adaptation of Smallholder Farmers Including AI-Driven Digital Advisory Services is sponsored by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This commitment funds innovations that help smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia adapt to extreme weather, with a significant portion for digital advisory services, including AI-driven tools.

Partnership Grant Program (North Central Region SARE) is sponsored by North Central Region SARE. This program supports agricultural educators and professionals working with small groups of farmers and ranchers on on-farm research, demonstrations, and education that advance sustainable agriculture, including cropping systems, grazing, marketing, value-added processing, food security, and resilience.

John Deere Foundation Grants (via One Acre Fund partnership) is sponsored by John Deere Foundation (through One Acre Fund). The John Deere Foundation supports One Acre Fund's mission to help farmers feed the world's growing population, with a commitment to invest $50 million over 10 years to help 15 million farmers.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer Rancher Grants is a competitive grant program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that funds research and education projects advancing sustainable agricultural practices across the United States and its territories. Projects may address topics such as pastured livestock, rotational grazing, no-till and conservation tillage, high tunnels, and local food systems. Grants are available to individual farmers, ranchers, extension agents, and other educators. SARE funding may not be used to start a farm or make large capital purchases such as land or equipment. Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000 and are administered regionally through four SARE offices covering the North Central, Northeast, South, and West.

Taking Root Program is sponsored by AgTexas Farm Credit. Taking Root is a program for Young, Beginning, and Small (YBS) farmers and ranchers, offering relaxed lending standards, educational resources, business tools, and grants. AgTexas offers five $10,000 grants each year to qualified YBS borrowers. Grant recipients must complete FCU's Ag Biz Planner course and submit a business plan.

Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) is sponsored by USDA, Farm Service Agency (FSA). The FSFL program provides low-interest loans to producers to build or upgrade farm storage facilities, including those for cold storage, and related equipment such as wash and pack stations. This can be beneficial for garlic growers needing to store their harvest.

Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) Project Grants (Senegal) is sponsored by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID announced $1.1 million in grants to local solar technology companies and renewable energy developers in Senegal. These grants are intended to increase access to solar solutions, boost the productivity of small businesses in off-grid areas, and enhance livelihoods in rural communities. The funding supports initiatives such as expanding access to solar water pumps for women farmers, supporting solar solutions in agriculture, fisheries, and commercial/industrial ventures, and developing energy-as-a-service models for solar cooling and electric transportation.

Professional Development Program Grant (SARE) is sponsored by Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) - USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). SARE offers Professional Development Program Grants to agriculture professionals. While the description from the search results does not specifically mention specialty crops, SARE's broader mission is sustainable agriculture, which often includes specialty crop initiatives. Non-profit organizations are listed as eligible for SARE grants generally, and these grants support education and outreach activities for the greater sustainable agriculture community.

NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program is sponsored by NC State University and N.C. A&T State University (N.C. Cooperative Extension). This farm grant program is administered through the N. C. Cooperative Extension, a partnership between NC State University, N. C. A&T State University, and federal, state, and local governments. It supports agricultural projects and initiatives within North Carolina.

Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access Program (reinstated portions) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This USDA program funds locally-led projects that help historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including Black, Indigenous, veteran, and immigrant farmers, as well as first-time producers, access land, capital, and markets. A federal court order has reinstated nearly half of the awards after previous cuts.

BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is sponsored by Innovate BC (Led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, funded by Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership). This program provides cost-shared funding to eligible B. C. farmers to adopt new technologies on-farm that enhance profitability, productivity, and/or efficiency, with a focus on labour-intensive tasks.

Missouri Regional Farm and Food System Grants is a grant program administered by New Growth, a rural development organization supported by the Patterson Family Foundation, that funds farmers and food entrepreneurs in western Missouri to expand regional food system capacity. Up to $1,000,000 in total grants is earmarked for capacity expansion supporting local food production, processing, distribution, and market access. Eligible recipients are farmers, food producers, and entrepreneurs in western Missouri served by New Growth and its network partners. The program is designed to strengthen local food economies and support farm viability in underserved rural communities. No specific application deadline is listed; interested applicants should contact New Growth directly.

Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG) Program is sponsored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (administered through local conservation districts). The Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG) Program helps farmers in Pennsylvania by providing financial and technical assistance to implement best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations in high-priority areas. Funding can cover project design, engineering, planning, construction, installation, equipment, and materials.

FDACS Agriculture Grants (General Programs) is sponsored by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) offers a series of grant programs to support agribusinesses. These grants can cover new equipment, water conservation upgrades, and marketing initiatives for farmers and food producers. Aquaponics businesses, as a form of sustainable agriculture and food production, may be eligible, especially if proposals align with state goals around sustainability, efficiency, and consumer safety. Specialty crop producers and seafood processors are among frequent applicants. Many grants also encourage youth education and food security.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) - California is sponsored by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The RFSI program aims to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, and support the development of value-added products for consumers.

SOILadarity Mini-Grant is sponsored by CRECE Urban Farms. CRECE Urban Farms, in collaboration with the Jobs First California Initiative, distributes micro-grants to urban agriculture businesses and entrepreneurs in Orange County and neighboring communities. The grant aims to support businesses that build a just food system in the region, honoring the knowledge and ingenuity of immigrant, Black, and Indigenous communities. Funds can be used for start-up costs, business operations, land improvements, business equipment (e.g., refrigeration, greenhouse), and professional development.

The USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Climate Change Priority Areas is a grant from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that funds research, education, and extension activities to address climate variability and its impacts on agriculture and food systems. As the nation's leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences, AFRI supports work across six Farm Bill priority areas including plant and animal health, food safety, bioenergy and natural resources, agricultural systems and technology, and rural economies. Awards range from $75,000 to $500,000 depending on program component. Eligible applicants include universities, non-profits, research institutions, farmers, ranchers, and forestry operators, with priority for beginning, minority, women, and tribal producers in select components.

Dairy Industry Impact Grant is sponsored by Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (a partnership between Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research). This grant program welcomes applications in topic areas that have the potential to positively impact the dairy industry as a whole. Applicants may apply to both the Dairy Business Builder grant and the Dairy Industry Impact grant if they have two separate projects.

Agritech Advance (Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund) is sponsored by Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund. Agritech Advance supports the development and scale-up of clean energy agricultural technologies that improve post-harvest management, cut food loss, and strengthen climate resilience for smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. This includes technologies for processing, drying, cooling, and improvements to food systems in horticulture, dairy, fishing, and livestock.

Ten Million Trees Program (Free Native Trees) is sponsored by Ten Million Trees (various PA counties and partners). This program provides free native trees to farmers to help clean water, reduce erosion, and create healthy habitats. The program assists with choosing native tree species, provides access to local tree planting partners, educational programs, and volunteers for maintenance. Many PA counties also offer technical assistance and grant funding for streamside preparation, planting, maintenance, and incentives.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is sponsored by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that funds farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns…

Real Farmer Care self-care award is a grant from SEMAP (Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership) that funds individual farmers and ranchers with a modest self-care award recognizing the personal sacrifices and mental health challenges faced by agricultural producers. The award provides to support the well-being of farmers who often prioritize their operations over personal care. Eligible applicants are farmers and ranchers in the contiguous United States or territories with at least ,000 in annual farming income who have not previously received this award. The award is designed to acknowledge the human side of farming and encourage recipients to invest in their own well-being. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no stated deadline.

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) – Ontario is sponsored by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) via Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and Conservation Ontario. This program helps Ontario farmers improve on-farm productivity and increase agricultural landscape resilience in response to climate change. It is delivered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP).

EPA National Innovation Challenge to Help American Farmers Grow Healthy Food with Fewer Chemicals is sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This challenge supports practical, cost-effective alternatives to conventional chemical crop desiccation. EPA is interested in solutions that maintain or improve harvest readiness, crop quality, and operational efficiency across various crop systems.

USDA Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) - Implementation Grants is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. These grants are designed to establish new local and regional food business enterprises or improve/expand existing ones. They aim to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) is sponsored by Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (administered by local Conservation Districts). The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) supports Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural landowners in protecting and enhancing water quality by providing financial and technical assistance for implementing best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations. Funding is distributed to conservation districts to prioritize reducing nutrient and sediment pollution.

N.C. Agriculture Innovations & Research (NCAIR) is sponsored by N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The N.C. Agriculture Innovations & Research (NCAIR) program, funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, supports the research and development of agricultural and forestry-based feedstocks for bioenergy production, agribusiness development, and cooperative research for biofuels production. It also includes the New and Emerging Crops Program, which identifies potential new crops and value-added products, and provides agricultural research, marketing support, and grower education. In 2024, the scope expanded to include Innovations to Advance the Agricultural Economy.

Specialty Crop Block Grants (State Programs) is sponsored by State Departments of Agriculture (administered by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service). This program provides block grants to State Departments of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Farmers or organizations interested in applying for state sub-grants should contact their state department of agriculture.

State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Block Grant is sponsored by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). SWEEP encourages farmers to install more efficient irrigation systems that decrease their water consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It funds eligible projects that implement on-farm water irrigation systems that reduce energy use and achieve water savings.

NourishMD Grant Program is sponsored by Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (in partnership with Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Health). The NourishMD Grant Program provides direct grants to eligible food retailers, including nonprofits, to expand access to healthy and fresh foods in Maryland communities experiencing food insecurity. Funds can be used for equipment, facility acquisition/construction/expansion, initial inventory, working capital related to expansion, and SNAP/EBT infrastructure and technology.

Geographic Programs - Gulf of America Program is sponsored by ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. The objectives of the Gulf of America Program, housed within the Gulf of America Division (GAD), are (1) To assist States, Indian Tribes, interstate agencies, and other public or nonprofit organizations in developing and demonstrating innovative approaches relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution; and (2) To expand and strengthen cooperative efforts to restore and protect the health and productivity of the Gulf of America through research, studies, experiments, and training, in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region. In Fiscal Year 2026 priorities include projects that will: 1) deliver significant results to achieve the environmental outcomes of improved health of the Gulf of America by restoring, protecting and enhancing habitat, improving water quality, improving the region’s ability to withstand storm events, and furthering environmental awareness; and 2) assisting communities adversely affected by environmental and human health harms or risks. Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding, the GAD will also prioritize projects focused on water quality, ecosystem and wetland restoration, stormwater treatment and control, nature-based infrastructure, restoration due to storm events, resilient shorelines, and environmental awareness. This listing is currently active. Program number: 66.475. Last updated on 2026-01-13.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grant is sponsored by USDA SARE. SARE funds projects that advance sustainable agriculture practices. This includes research and education projects that benefit farmers, ranchers, and processors of all sizes. Small and very small meat, poultry, and egg establishments can participate in SARE-funded projects or apply knowledge generated by SARE to improve the sustainability of their operations.

Campbell's Grower Grants is sponsored by Campbell Soup Company. The Campbell's Grower Grants fund supports tomato and potato farmers in implementing regenerative agriculture practices. Farmers can apply to trial a new practice or scale a trusted one on new acres. The program facilitates financial and technical support to help farmers build knowledge, reduce costs, and limit risk.

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program is sponsored by Connecticut Department of Agriculture (initially federally supported). This program aims to increase access to locally grown, healthy food for those in need while simultaneously supporting the operations of Connecticut farmers and the state's overall agricultural economy. It facilitates the purchase of Connecticut Grown products from local farms for distribution to food-insecure populations. Nonprofits are eligible.

Grants for Nonprofit Organizations (Growing the Good Food Movement, Helping Farmers Thrive, Taking Action to Change the System) is sponsored by Farm Aid. Farm Aid's grantmaking focuses on enhancing the viability of family farm agriculture in the United States. They support organizations that build local and regional food systems, connect farmers with consumers, provide resources to farmers, and advocate for fair farm policies.

Pasture and Surface Water Fencing (PSWF) Program is sponsored by Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM). This is a 90% cost-share program that can cover expenses for fencing, pipelines, water source development, laneways, and stream crossings. It aims to improve water quality and is designed for farmers who rotationally graze.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is sponsored by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) / Maryland Department of Agriculture. CREP is a federal-state partnership program that pays landowners to take environmentally sensitive cropland out of production for 10 to 15 years and plant buffers and other conservation practices that protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat.

Partners for Fish and Wildlife is a grant from the Department of the Interior that funds habitat restoration projects on private lands across the United States. Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools, and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat. Since 1987, the program has helped more than 25,000 landowners complete over 40,000 projects, restoring more than six million acres of forest, prairie, wetland, and stream habitat. With 220 biologists located in all 50 states and territories, the program focuses on conservation areas including upland forests, wetlands, native prairies, and streams, with priority given to projects benefiting migratory birds and endangered, threatened, or at-risk species. Projects have a minimum duration of 10 years, and participating landowners retain full property rights.

Puerto Rico's Food Sovereignty Fund is sponsored by GlobalGiving (managed by a local organization). The Food Sovereignty Fund aims to provide economic relief to farmers and fishers through cash grants for loss prevention and mitigation due to tropical climatic events, voluntary work brigades for restoration of farms and fishing villages, and landscape design recovery.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program is sponsored by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in partnership with State Departments of Agriculture. Aims to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, and support the development of value-added products.

Green and Resilient Retrofit Program is sponsored by Department of Housing And Urban Development. The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program offers loans and grants for HUD-assisted multifamily property owners to improve energy or water efficiency, increase properties' ability to withstand and recover from severe storms and natural disasters, and expand preservation investments. The program also includes funds for utility consumption benchmarking and administrative costs. The application period for participation has closed. This listing is currently active. Program number: 14.021. Last updated on 2026-01-23.

Underserved, Beginning, and Military Veteran Farmers Mini-Grant Program is a grant from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture that provides up to $10,000 to support socially disadvantaged, beginning, and military veteran specialty crop farmers in New Jersey. The program helps eligible farmers invest in equipment, infrastructure, and other needs to build sustainable farming operations. Eligible applicants are New Jersey-based specialty crop farmers who identify as socially disadvantaged, are beginning farmers with limited experience, or are military veterans transitioning into agriculture. The program aims to reduce barriers to entry and build long-term viability for underserved agricultural producers.

Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury CDFI Fund. A federal government effort to expand access to healthy, fresh food in low-access communities. It provides project funding and/or capacity development to organizations that invest in businesses working to increase and preserve healthy food options in low-income communities, support the development of local and regional food business enterprises, and create new market opportunities for farmers.

Farmer Rancher Grant Program (North Central SARE) is sponsored by North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE). This competitive grants program is for farmers and ranchers in the North Central region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-fa…

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) - Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again Through Food as Medicine is sponsored by Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This initiative, funded by a federal program, focuses on healthy food partnerships in schools. Nonprofits can partner with schools to provide access to healthy, locally grown foods, aiming to reduce consumption of processed foods and obesity risk. Funds can be used for food safety and storage, delivery and logistics, nutrition education, equipment, and community gardens.

Maryland's Fresh Food Financing Initiative is sponsored by Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Neighborhood BusinessWorks program. This initiative provides flexible financing for the start-up, rehabilitation, or expansion of businesses and nonprofits located in designated 'food deserts' or 'Sustainable Communities' within Maryland. A particular emphasis is placed on those that will source fresh food from Maryland farmers.

State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (California) is a grant from California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) that funds arts projects and programming. The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) supports California’s efforts to combat climate change and improve water management by promoting more sustainable on-farm agricultural practices. Administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), SWEEP helps farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water through the adoption of advanced, climate-smart irrigation technologies. Eligible applicants include farmers and Ranchers; Tribal Gov.

The Audacious Project Grant Program (through One Acre Fund) is sponsored by TED (The Audacious Project). The Audacious Project, supported by TED, provides backing to visionary change-makers with ambitious solutions for global challenges. One Acre Fund has been an awardee, focusing on empowering millions of African farmers and uplifting communities from poverty, including initiatives related to climate resilience and agricultural practices.

USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Climate Change Priority Areas is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Competitive grants program supporting research, extension, and education on climate adaptation and mitigation in agriculture, forestry, and rural communities. Covers climate-smart agriculture, resilience to climate variability, and greenhouse gas mitigation on working lands.

Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation 'micro-grants' is sponsored by Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation (CASF). These micro-grants are available for those in Pulaski County looking to establish a community garden or build up their backyard farm. The grants can be used by various groups to address needs in producing and distributing fresh vegetables, especially in areas without ready access to grocery stores. CASF also offers workshops and resources to help build garden spaces and educate small-scale farmers.

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Grants for Northeast Aquaculture is sponsored by Northeast SARE. This program offers funding to Northeast farmers and aquaculture producers to test new sustainable agriculture and aquaculture practices. Awards support on-farm research, demonstrations, surveys, prototypes, and outreach that benefit long-term farm and aquaculture sustainability.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants program is a grants program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture that funds farmer-driven innovations in agriculture improving profitability, environmental stewardship, and quality of life. SARE supports research and education projects across four regional offices covering the full United States, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 for small farmer grants to $200,000 or more for professional and graduate student research grants. Eligible applicants include farmers, ranchers, academic researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers depending on the grant type. Projects must address sustainable agriculture practices such as soil health, integrated pest management, diversified farming systems, and climate adaptation. SARE operates multiple grant cycles annually; applicants should consult their regional SARE office for current deadlines and funding priorities.

Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS): Groundwater SAS is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This is part of a larger project, "Sustaining Groundwater and Irrigated Agriculture in The Southwestern United States Under a Changing Climate," which funds interdisciplinary research to alleviate groundwater overdraft and water quality trends, develop decision support tools, as…

Financial Assurance to Revitalize Markets (FARM) Initiative is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank). This initiative is a formalized partnership between USDA and EXIM Bank aimed at rewiring how American agricultural goods move through the global system. It focuses on ensuring that markets, once opened, can actually transact by overhauling the USDA's GSM-102 export credit guarantee program. The program becomes more elastic with an 18-month “bullet” repayment option, globalized banking participation, and in higher-risk markets, guarantees lifted to 100 percent.

VA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The EQIP program offers technical and financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to integrate conservation practices into their operations. This includes addressing natural resource concerns like water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat improvement.

Farmers for Soil Health is sponsored by Farmers for Soil Health (in partnership with NCAT-ATTRA, Walton Family Foundation, DTN, USDA-NRCS). This program offers financial assistance to farmers to offset cover crop start-up costs. It aims to enhance soil health practices like planting cover crops to improve the environment and farmer profitability, providing financial incentives and local research-based technical support.

America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund is sponsored by Reinvestment Fund (on behalf of USDA Rural Development). HFFI provides grants, loans, and technical assistance to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities. The FARE Fund specifically provides financial assistance to healthy food retailers and food enterprises to overcome barriers in areas with inequitable access.

Climate Smart Microgrants is a grant program from the University of Connecticut Extension that funds beginning farmers in Connecticut to adopt and implement climate-smart farming practices. The program, part of the Climate Smart Adaptation Strategies project, provides up to $2,400 per recipient to purchase farm inputs, equipment, tools, and contractual services that increase climate resilience. Eligible investments must align with strategies recommended in UConn Extension's Climate Smart Adaptation Strategies for Beginning Farmers course. Eligible applicants are beginning farmers in Connecticut. Funding for the program was provided by the Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.