Fund-A-Farmer Grants

Fund-A-Farmer Grants is sponsored by Rodale Institute. These grants provide funding for projects that improve animal welfare, which is often a component of bio-organic and sustainable farming practices.

Organic Farm Funding - Rodale Institute Get help expanding, improving, or starting your organic farm. Need assistance with certification costs or creating value-added products on your farm? Are you looking to transition your farm from conventional to organic practices?

The following resources provide funding and other assistance. Organic Farm Funding Resources One of the biggest hurdles to transitioning land to organic or enhancing conservation on the farm is securing the funds to make it possible. The resources below can help.

Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Funding to offset the cost of organic certification USDA Agricultural Easement Program Assistance for American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protecting and enhancing wetlands USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Grants and Opportunities USDA Conservation Programs Funding and assistance to restore and conserve sensitive ecological areas Low-interest micro-loans and conservation loans USDA FSA Farm Storage Facility Loans Low-interest financing to build or upgrade storage facilities for organic commodities USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service EQIP Organic Initiative Technical and financial assistance for conservation as well as funding and assistance for farmers transitioning to organic USDA Organic Training and Transition Assistance Educational resources for transitioning farmers USDA Value-Added Producer Grants Funding and assistance for creating value-added products on your farm Minnesota Transition to Organic Cost Share Program Transition funding for farmers in the Midwest Funding for projects that improve animal welfare Lakewinds Organic Field Fund Financial assistance for current and transitioning Minnesota farmers Flexible loans for organic and transitioning farmers Pipeline Foods Farm Profit Program Consulting services for farmers transitioning to organic Whole Foods Local Producer Loan Program Low-interest loans for independent local farmers and food artisans Resources for New Farmers The National Young Farmers Coalition cites land access and capital as top barriers to new farmers.

If you’re a young or beginning farmer looking for help finding and buying land, check out the following links.

USDA FSA Down Payment Loan Program Financial assistance for beginning, minority, and women farmers hoping to purchase a farm or ranch USDA Farm Service Agency Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program New farmers and traditionally underserved or limited-resource farmers are eligible for free catastrophic coverage and discounted premiums on higher coverage General resources for new farmers, with specific assistance for women and veterans USDA Programs for Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers Crowdfunding for sustainable farm and food businesses Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund Financial assistance for higher education and vocational students pursuing organic agriculture programs Long-term leases and mortgage finance assistance for young and beginning farmers Providing 0% interest loans up to $10,000 National Young Farmers Coalition Farmland Calculator Use this tool to estimate the affordability of a piece of land you’re considering and download the results for your meeting with the loan officer National Young Farmers Coalition Land Access Trainings Hands-on education on the process of acquiring land Stone Barns Center Entrepreneurship Intensive A paid educational opportunity for farmers already managing regenerative operations Check out our Consulting program!

We can visit your farm and help you transition to organic, secure funding, and navigate the certification process.