Rural and Tribal Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grants

Rural and Tribal Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grants is sponsored by Farm to Table New Mexico (via NM Farmer Innovation Program). These Micro-Grants support projects by agricultural producers, political subdivisions, Tribal entities, and non-profit organizations working to provide solutions for climate change with projects that advance regenerative agriculture in Rural and Tribal communities.

Rural and Tribal Micro-Grant Application Information – Farm to Table Rural and Tribal Micro-Grant Application Information The NM Farmer Innovation Program’s Summer 2026 Rural and Tribal Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grants request for proposals has closed.

Micro-Grants are made available by Farm to Table to agricultural producers, political subdivisions of the state or local government, Tribal entities and agencies, and non-profit organizations that are working to provide solutions for our changing climate with projects that advance regenerative agriculture in Rural and Tribal communities.

These Micro-Grants are small, one-time-only awards given to grantees for short-term projects and are awarded through Farm to Table’s New Mexico Farmer Innovation Program. This is a pilot program focused on food access, and conservation and climate-smart agriculture for New Mexico farmers. These Micro-Grants are competitive and will be awarded in amounts of up to $20,000, based on eligibility and ability to meet the funding criteria.

Each successful applicant can only receive one Micro-Grant. Expenditures and projects must be completed within one year of the award. Click here for the press release about previous Rural and Tribal Micro-Grants awarded in 2026.

Provide support for projects by farmers and ranchers which provide solutions for our changing climate that advance regenerative agriculture, water conservation/efficiency, energy conservation and climate change mitigation. Improve access to nutritious food in New Mexico communities experiencing food access challenges. Improve access to culturally relevant food.

Support the Implementation of conservation practices that will improve resilience to climate change and on-farm sustainability. Increase small farm farmers’ capacity for growing food, expanding operations, implementing climate-friendly practices, and building resilience to a changing climate. Provide supplies, equipment and technical assistance to farmers in Rural and Tribal communities.

Support farmers who may not qualify for other forms of funding. Applicant’s project must be focused towards working to provide solutions for our changing climate that advance regenerative agriculture, water conservation/efficiency, energy conservation and climate change mitigation and on-farm sustainability.

Applicant(s) must either be producing healthy and/or preparing to produce healthy food for communities experiencing food access challenges in New Mexico. Applicant(s) must be able to expend the funds and complete the project within grant term. Applicant(s) submit final report, financial report with receipts and project data by the end of the term.

Beneficiaries will be required to participate in follow-up storytelling and data collection. Beneficiaries must not be a previous New Mexico Farmer Innovation Program Micro-Grant Beneficiary; producers will be eligible to receive a Micro-Grant only once. Producers with gross annual cash farm income under $250,000 are eligible (commercial and noncommercial farms).

The Micro-Grants require that all applicants submit an application that provides project details and outcomes. Applicant or organization is a NM Grown Approved Supplier Program (ASP) participant or applying to participate in NM Grown ASP. For more information contact the NM Farmers’ Marketing Association.

www. newmexicofma. org/nm_grown_approved_supplier_pro.

php Eligible Expenses or Uses All expenses must be related to or working towards implementing conservation and regenerative agriculture practices on the farm or ranch and/or improving access to healthy food with processing, storage, and related infrastructure.

Eligible expenses include, but at not limited to: Purchase or lease of on-farm infrastructure, equipment, supplies and materials, such as, but not limited to, irrigation, tools and printed materials. Access to and/or provide access to training and technical assistance for producers, such as but not limited to, soil testing, grant assistance for conservation and regenerative agriculture practices and other services.

Provide cost share for supplies and equipment. Materials/tools to expand growing operations. To enhance ongoing regenerative agriculture, water conservation/efficiency, energy conservation and climate change mitigation programs led by new and established agricultural leaders, stakeholders, growers, and farmers.

Grants operate on a reimbursement basis. However, in certain cases, Beneficiaries may request funds be pre-distributed with a qualified quote and a written request, sent to FTT at: nmfip@farmtotablenm. org Summer 2026 Micro-Grant Timeline June 22, 2026 | Request for Applications (RFA) opens June 25, 2026 | Webinar and Q&A (4-6pm) July 27, 2026 | Deadline to submit application (Late applications will not be accepted.)

August 2026 | Beneficiaries announced March 31, 2027 | Deadline to expend funds April 14, 2027 | Deadline to submit final report, financial report and project data. Please use this contact form for questions about the Micro-Grants and the Farmer Innovation Program.