Farms for the Future - Phase 1 Grant

Farms for the Future - Phase 1 Grant is sponsored by Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). This planning grant supports Maine farmers in identifying, exploring, and implementing changes to their farm business for greater profitability and viability. Recipients receive funds to test new ideas and get one-on-one business planning support from qualified service providers.

Maine Farms for the Future - Maine DACF Bureaus & Programs → Bureau of Agriculture → Agricultural Resource Development Division → Agricultural Business and Market Development Program → Farms for the Future Program Agricultural Resource Development Division Maine Farms for the Future Program Applications for Phase 1 and Phase 2 will open on Friday, January 24, 2025 . Applications are due by March 7, 2025.

To apply, review the Requests for Applications (RFAs) below. Phase 1 Request for Applications (PDF) FFF Phase 1 Application Form Preview (PDF) Phase 1 Q&A Summary - March 3, 2025 (PDF) Phase 2 Request for Applications (PDF) The continued vitality of the agricultural landscape in Maine depends on the vitality of the farm businesses within it.

Planning for and enacting changes, adaptations, and growth is critical for farm businesses to achieve sustainable profitability. The Maine Farms for the Future Program is a two-phase competitive program that provides selected farms with business planning assistance and investment support.

Phase 1: Business Plan Development Program Phase 1 , or the Business Plan Development Program , provides grants to farm businesses to conduct strategic business planning and research for " Idea(s) for Change " that might increase Farm Vitality, or the " long-term, maintainable, farm profitability and net worth ."

Selected farms are awarded $6000, which can be used to work with a business advisor to develop a Business Plan and/or to work with other approved agricultural and professional service providers to research the Idea for Change. Applicants are eligible to apply to the Farms for the Future Business Plan Development Program if : They own and operate a for-profit farm business in Maine.

The farm business has been producing agricultural products commercially in Maine for at least 2 years (24 months) OR the applicant has evidence of at least 2 years' experience operating a commercial farm in Maine. Those agricultural products include fresh or to-be-processed food, fiber, or horticultural products grown on the farm. Those products do not include marijuana but may include hemp.

The farm business is not primarily producing forest products (timber, pulp, etc.). The applicant owns the farmland the business uses, or the applicant is a partner/shareholder in the legal entity that owns the land. The farm business holds all relevant State of Maine licenses or certifications.

The eligibility guidelines can be found in the rules governing the Maine Farms for the Future Program . If you have any specific questions about your eligibility, contact the RFA Coordinator .

Phase 2: Investment Support Program to Implement a Business Plan Phase 2 , or the Investment Support Program to Implement a Business Plan, provides the opportunity to apply for low-interest loans and in some instances, cash grants to invest in infrastructure or equipment related to the Idea for Change investigated in Phase 1. Selected farms receive a recommendation to apply for an AMLF loan of up to $250,000 with a 2% interest rate.

Farms who are willing and able to protect at least 5 acres of farmland for at least 7 years are also eligible to apply for a cash grant of up to $25,000. Applicants are eligible to apply to the Farms for the Investment Support Program to Implement a Business Plan if : They were awarded a Phase 1 Business Planning grant in the last 4 years but have not been awarded a Phase 2 Implementation grant in that timeframe.

(In certain circumstances, exceptions can be made for earlier recipients of the Phase 1 grant.) Their Phase 1 Business Plan is complete. Applicants are eligible to apply for the Phase 2 cash grant if: They own at least 5 acres of unprotected land in agricultural use.

They agree to protect at least 5 acres of farmland by signing a 7-year Farmland Protection Agreement before any cash awards are dispersed. USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey - Provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Soil maps with boundary lines are required materials for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 applications Farms selected for Maine Farms for the Future – Phase 1 from 01/01/00 to 12/31/2019 (PDF) Resources for Phase 2 Applicants Business Plan Template for Phase 2 Applicants (DOCX) FFF Match Log for Materials and Labor (XLS) - to record in-kind and purchased labor and material match sources.