Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for cooperatives.

Complete the Agroforestry Loan Application (PDF) and work with a local lender, who then applies to the RFA for participation. All lending institutions are eligible to participate but do so voluntarily, and each lender must enter into a Master Participation Agreement with the RFA. The application fee is $50. Questions go to the Rural Finance Authority Office at 651-201-6004 or RFA.Loans@state.mn.us.

Rural Finance Authority Office
Loan Programs

The Agroforestry Loan Program provides low-interest financing to farmers during the growing period required to convert agricultural land to agroforestry.


This is a loan participation program available through the MDA's Rural Finance Authority (RFA). Farmers work through their local lender; after the farmer completes an application, the lender applies for RFA participation. The RFA must have a completed Master Participation Agreement with the lender on file. The application fee is $50.



The Agroforestry Loan Program provides low-interest financing to farmers during the growing period required to convert agricultural land to agroforestry.

This is a loan participation program available through the MDA's Rural Finance Authority (RFA). Farmers work through their local lender; after the farmer completes an application, the lender applies for RFA participation. The RFA must have a completed Master Participation Agreement with the lender on file. The application fee is $50.

The farmer candidate must:

- Be a resident of Minnesota, or a general partnership, family farm corporation, authorized farm corporation, family farm partnership, or authorized farm partnership as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 500.24, subdivision 2
- Be or plan to become a grower of short-rotation woody crops on agricultural land suitable for their profitable production
- Be a member of a producer-owned cooperative that will contract to market the short-rotation woody crop to be planted by the borrower
- Not have received more than $150,000 in assistance under this program over the producer's lifetime
- Agree to work with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies and the marketing cooperative to develop an acceptable establishment and maintenance plan
- Agree not to plant short-rotation woody crops within one-quarter of a mile of state or federally protected prairie
- Demonstrate an ability to repay the loan
- Meet any other requirements the authority may impose by administrative procedure or by rule

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

- MDA Ag Finance Section: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/financebudget/agfinance
- Participating Lenders lookup: http://www2.mda.state.mn.us/webapp/lenders/lenders.jsp

The authority may participate with eligible lenders in agroforestry loans to eligible farmers and agricultural landowners. The authority's participation is limited to 45% of the loan, or $75,000 of total cumulative principal per loan, whichever applies. Interest rates and repayment terms on the authority's participation interest may differ from those on the lender's retained portion. The loan may be disbursed over a period not to exceed 12 years.

Depending on the availability of funds, a borrower may receive loans for planted areas up to 160 acres for up to:

- The total amount necessary for establishment of the crop
- The total amount of maintenance costs, including weed control, during the first three years
- Seventy percent of the estimated value of one year's growth of the crop for years four through 12

Security for the loan must be the crop, a personal note executed by the borrower, and whatever other security is required by the eligible lender or the authority. Lifetime assistance under the program is capped at $150,000 per producer.

Non-profit organizations and academic/research institutions are eligible to submit a letter of interest (LOI) via  FAFO's online grant portal. LOIs will be reviewed and responded to within two weeks. If an LOI is approved, an organization will be invited to submit a full application.

Shannon Suddeth

Farmers Advocating for Organic (FAFO) began with the 2002 Farm Bill, which included an exemption for organic farmers from contributing&#x2004;to national promotion programs like “Got Milk?” In response, Organic Valley devised a way for farmers to pool their exemptions into an organic-focused granting fund as a way to promote and advance organic farming.

FAFO is a grant program funded entirely by annual, voluntary contributions from Organic Valley farmers. It's the largest farmer-funded grant program in the U.S. and one of the few focused solely on organic.

The fund provides a way for Organic Valley farmers to address the long-term needs of the organic marketplace and the future of organic agriculture by supporting the development of long-term solutions. Through combining resources, Organic Valley farmers are able to invest in projects that affect the livelihoods of organic farmers across the country.

Within this context, FAFO is currently prioritizing projects that focus on:

- Projects that benefit family farmers who produce organic dairy, eggs, meat, produce, and grain/forage

- Projects that focus on organic soil health and biology

- Projects that strengthen CROPP Cooperative (internal)



Farmers Advocating for Organic (FAFO) began with the 2002 Farm Bill, which included an exemption for organic farmers from contributing to national promotion programs like “Got Milk?” In response, Organic Valley devised a way for farmers to pool their exemptions into an organic-focused granting fund as a way to promote and advance organic farming.
FAFO is a grant program funded entirely by annual, voluntary contributions from Organic Valley farmers. It's the largest farmer-funded grant program in the U.S. and one of the few focused solely on organic.
The fund provides a way for Organic Valley farmers to address the long-term needs of the organic marketplace and the future of organic agriculture by supporting the development of long-term solutions. Through combining resources, Organic Valley farmers are able to invest in projects that affect the livelihoods of organic farmers across the country.
Within this context, FAFO is currently prioritizing projects that focus on:
- Projects that benefit family farmers who produce organic dairy, eggs, meat, produce, and grain/forage
- Projects that focus on organic soil health and biology
- Projects that strengthen CROPP Cooperative (internal)

Check if your organization and project meet the following criteria before applying:
- Non-profit or academic/research institution
- Advances FAFO’s mission of protecting and promoting the organic industry or the livelihood of organic farmers (with an explicit focus on organic)
- Category of research, education, or advocacy
- Aligned with FAFO’s strategic priorities (optional, but projects meeting this criteria will be prioritized)
- Organization's impact reaches beyond local community 
- One-time grant requested in the amount of $5,000-$50,000, corresponding to scope and impact of project
- Administrative overhead does not exceed 5% of amount requested


A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Certified Organic

Trade Relief

Certification

Marketing

Conservation

Research

Compliance

One-time grants are awarded in the amounts of $5,000-$50,000, with an average grant award of $20,000 and the size of the award corresponding to the scope and impact of the project. Grants exceeding $50,000 and multi-year grants are considered under extraordinary circumstances by invitation only.

Got to FarmLend.com to apply for a new loan, refinance, and even browse land listings near you!

FarmLend Support

FarmLend allows you to apply online for a land loan from participating [Farm Credit](https://farmcredit.com/) associations across the United States. Farm Credit is a network of mission-driven, customer-owned financial cooperatives that has been serving agriculture for more than 100 years. To start a land loan in person through a local office instead, use the [Farm Credit Locator](https://farmcredit.com/locations) to connect with your local association.



FarmLend allows you to apply online for a land loan from participating Farm Credit associations across the United States. Farm Credit is a network of mission-driven, customer-owned financial cooperatives that has been serving agriculture for more than 100 years. To start a land loan in person through a local office instead, use the Farm Credit Locator to connect with your local association.

Legal & Finance

Submit the following to apply for program eligibility:
- Dairy Donation and Distribution Plan Form (xlsx)
- Eligible Distributor Certification Form (xlsx)
Once approved for program eligibility, submit the following to receive reimbursement:
- Reimbursement Claim Form (xlsx)
Submit all forms to DDP@usda.gov. 
In addition, for the Dairy Donation and Distribution Plan Form, please create and email a password in a separate email to DDP@usda.gov.

Bradley Vierra (MDRP)

Under the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (MDRP), eligible dairy organizations partner with non-profit organizations that distribute food to low-income&#x2004;individuals. Those partnerships may apply for and receive limited reimbursements to cover expenses related to certain fluid milk product donations. In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress directed USDA to develop the program to reduce food waste and provide nutrition assistance to low-income individuals. Congress authorized $9 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2019, and $5 million per fiscal year thereafter. Interested partnerships apply on a rolling basis by submitting a completed Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form and Eligible Distributor Certification Form.



Under the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (MDRP), eligible dairy organizations partner with non-profit organizations that distribute food to low-income individuals. Those partnerships may apply for and receive limited reimbursements to cover expenses related to certain fluid milk product donations. In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress directed USDA to develop the program to reduce food waste and provide nutrition assistance to low-income individuals. Congress authorized $9 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2019, and $5 million per fiscal year thereafter. Interested partnerships apply on a rolling basis by submitting a completed Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form and Eligible Distributor Certification Form.

Eligible Dairy Organizations (EDO)
Dairy farmers, cooperatives, and processors purchasing fresh milk or bulk dairy products to process into retailpackaged dairy products may qualify for this program. In addition, the dairy farmer, cooperative or processor must file a Receipts and Utilization report with a Federal milk marketing order (FMMO). For those reporting to a local FMMO office as part of normal business operations, the requirement is already met. For those that do not, please contact us at ddp@usda.gov so that we can help with filing the Receipts and Utilization report. 
Eligible Distributors	
EDOs may form one or more partnerships with nonprofit feeding organizations, called eligible distributors, that distribute food to individuals and families. EDOs can partner with an umbrella organization that includes multiple distribution locations or with an individual (or independent) organization with a single distribution location.

Dairy

Butter

Cheese

Milk

Yogurt

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

- Webinar: USDA’s Dairy Donation Program (DDP)
- MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form Overview (pdf)
- Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form Sample (xlsx)
- Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (MDRP): What Do I Need to Know?
- Part 1146—Milk Donation Reimbursement Program
- Commodity Specifications for Fluid Milk and Milk Products Eligible for the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (pdf)

Nutrition & Food Safety

Once approved for program eligibility, applicants receive a Reimbursement Claim Form (via email) to submit for reimbursement. Reimbursements cover expenses related to eligible fluid milk product donations. Submit all forms to MDRP@usda.gov. Contact: Bradley Vierra, 202-720-4392.

The Missouri State Treasurer manages the linked deposits (573-751-2372); MASBDA reviews applications, analyzes projects, and issues approval certificates (573-751-2129, masbda@mda.mo.gov).

MASBDA

The Missouri FIRST Program, managed by the Missouri State Treasurer's Office, places below-market-rate deposits of state funds in Missouri financial institutions to enable eligible borrowers to obtain loans at reduced rates — typically 2–3 percent lower than standard rates. The Eligible Facility Borrower category supports agricultural development and renewable-fuel production facilities.



Borrowers must be partnerships, corporations, cooperatives, or LLCs organized under Missouri law with at least 12 producer members. Producer members must hold majority governance and voting rights, control management hiring and firing decisions, and deliver agricultural commodities to the entity for processing. Eligible facilities include development facilities (producing goods from agricultural commodities) or renewable fuel production facilities.

Alternative Energy

Maximum per loan is $1 million (effective February 28, 2019); financing cannot exceed 70% of total facility cost. Loan term is up to 5 years, extendable for two additional 5-year periods (maximum 15 years total). Refinancing of existing bank loans is no longer approved. MASBDA charges a 25 basis point application and processing fee.

Guidelines, application forms, and transfer procedures are available through MASBDA at (573) 751-2129 or masbda@mda.mo.gov.

Missouri MASBDA — Agricultural Tax Credit Programs

The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority administers this program to encourage producer investment in new generation processing entities, which process Missouri agricultural commodities and agricultural products into value-added goods while benefiting farmers and creating jobs.



Eligible entities are new generation processing entities organized under Missouri law with a minimum of 12 producer members. Producer members must hold majority governance/voting rights and control management hiring. Entities operate development facilities (producing goods from agricultural commodities) or renewable fuel production facilities. A 'producer member' is an individual or entity whose primary purpose is agricultural production.

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

Tax credits equal the lesser of 50 percent of the member's cash investment or $15,000. Large Capital Projects cap at $1.5 million per project allocation; Employee Qualified Capital Projects cap at $3.0 million, with pro-ration across members if exceeded. Credits may be carried forward four years and applied to state income, franchise, and financial institution taxes.

Applications are accepted during an annual competitive cycle. The 2026 cycle has closed; the 2027 cycle is expected to open in early January.

North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission — General

The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission's competitive grant cycle. Qualified Agricultural Program (QAP) and Indirect Compensatory Program (ICP) grants fund organizations — nonprofits, government agencies, cooperatives, and colleges — to deliver services and cost-share programs that benefit tobacco-affected North Carolina farmers.



Applicants are organizations: nonprofits, government agencies, cooperatives, and colleges/universities. Not open to individual producers directly; producers are served through the funded programs.

Grant cycle mechanics: https://tobaccotrustfund.org/2025-grant-cycle/

Grants to organizations under two lines: Qualified Agricultural Program (QAP) and Indirect Compensatory Program (ICP). Funded organizations run producer-facing services and cost-share programs for tobacco-affected farmers.

The request for proposals opened August 19, 2026, with virtual open office hours on September 9, 2026 at 12 p.m. Applications are due October 28, 2026. Apply through the Farm and Food Growth Fund at ffgrowthfund.org/dairymodernization.

NYS Dairy Modernization Grant Program

General office

Round 2 of the New York State Dairy Modernization Grant Program provides $8.5 million to help dairy farmers and agricultural marketing cooperatives modernize their operations. It funds projects that expand on-farm milk storage capacity; improve efficiencies; and invest in milk transfer systems and cooling technologies. Eligible projects include milk storage tanks, milk tankers for transport, milk pipelines, upgraded glycol chillers, and farm milk loading systems.



Dairy farmers and agricultural marketing cooperatives in New York State.

Round 2 exclusion: applicants must not have received funding from the NYS Dairy Modernization Program Round 1.

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

High Tunnel

Irrigation

Storage

Infrastructure

Funding ranges from $50,000 to $250,000 per eligible applicant. The program is administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund in collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Apply through your ADEA regional office. There is no online portal and no PIEOMPA-specific application form published.

The route. The Department of Agriculture's incentives page states the method for its incentive programs in one line: "SOLICITA — Escribiendo o llamando a tu Oficina Regional" ("Apply — by writing or calling your Regional Office"). Find the office that serves your municipality using the "Regiones" municipality selector at https://www.agricultura.pr.gov/contactanos.

Intake timing is not published. Neither the ADEA program listing at https://www.agricultura.pr.gov/agencias?tab=adea nor the department's Manual de Incentivos 2025-2026 publishes an application window, deadline, or funding round for PIEOMPA. Note also that the manual — which itemises the department's other incentives in detail — carries no PIEOMPA section at all, so the ADEA agency page is the only published description of this program. Call your regional office to find out whether funds are currently being obligated.

What you must have in place first. PIEOMPA is available "exclusivamente para 'agricultores bonafides'," so a current bona fide farmer decree is the gating document. The general requirements the department publishes for its incentive programs (Manual de Incentivos 2025-2026, "Requisitos Generales") are:
- "Operar legalmente una finca en cualquier concepto de tenencia legal notarizada (a excepción de los contratos de la ATPR)" — legally operate a farm under notarised legal tenancy.
- "Contar con un Certificado de Registro de Comerciante vigente" — a current Merchant's Registration certificate.
- Insurable crops and structures must comply with Puerto Rico's crop insurance law (Ley 99 of 2 July 2002; Ley 12 of 12 December 1966, as amended).
- "Estar registrado en el Agroperfil" — be registered in Agroperfil.
- "Presentar evidencia de haber completado la Encuesta General" — evidence of having completed the General Survey.

No document checklist specific to PIEOMPA — for the proposed investment, quotes, or project plans — is published. Ask the regional office what it needs for a capital-investment file.

Who to ask. Puerto Rico is divided into eight agricultural regions. These are the numbers in the department's own live regional directory at https://www.agricultura.pr.gov/contactanos, which is the list the "SOLICITA" instruction sends you to:
- Oficinas Centrales: 787-304-5350
- Región de Arecibo: (787) 878-2028 — regionarecibo@agricultura.pr.gov
- Región de Caguas: (787) 258-8106 — regioncaguas@agricultura.pr.gov (the office is in Cayey, not Caguas)
- Región de Lares: (787) 897-2752 / (787) 897-1735 — regionlares@agricultura.pr.gov
- Región de Mayagüez: (787) 832-5022 / (787) 832-5021 — regionmayaguez@agricultura.pr.gov
- Región de Naranjito: (787) 869-9100 — regionnaranjito@agricultura.pr.gov
- Región de Ponce: (787) 842-5210 / (787) 840-8826 — regionponce@agricultura.pr.gov (the office is in Santa Isabel, not Ponce)
- Región de San Germán: (787) 892-5158 — regionsangerman@agricultura.pr.gov
- Región de Utuado: (787) 894-4025 — regionutuado@agricultura.pr.gov

One source conflict worth knowing about: the contact page of the Manual de Incentivos 2025-2026 PDF gives Ponce as 787-840-8838, a number that does not appear anywhere in the live directory, and the same block in that PDF has lost the region headings for the Lares and Utuado lines. Where the manual and the live directory disagree, use the directory. Central office: 1309 Av. Manuel Fernández Juncos, San Juan, PR 00908; mail to P.O. Box 10163, San Juan, PR 00908-1163.

Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture - Oficinas Centrales

A cost-share program from the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (ADEA) supporting permanent capital investment on agricultural operations — innovative projects, equipment and machinery acquisition, land improvements, agricultural infrastructure, technology adoption, substitution of fossil-fuel sources in agricultural projects, agricultural cooperatives, and Eco-Farm/Eco-Ranch (Eco-Finca/Eco-Granja) projects. Provides up to 50% of the investment, up to a maximum of $250,000, exclusively for bona fide farmers.



Exclusively bona fide Puerto Rico farmers (agricultores bona fide) certified by ADEA. General ADEA program requirements also apply.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Cost-share of up to 50% of the investment, up to a maximum of $250,000 per bona fide farmer, for permanent capital investment — equipment and machinery, land improvements, agricultural infrastructure, technology adoption, fossil-fuel-source substitution, agricultural cooperatives, and Eco-Farm/Eco-Ranch projects.

A lender and an applicant must jointly complete and sign the application form and prepare all supporting documents. In the case of new-issue stock, application may not be made until stock is actually available for issuance from the cooperative; previously issued stock is also eligible. A $50 application fee must be submitted with each application.

Completed applications from eligible lenders are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis while funds are available. Farmers should start with a participating lender (searchable lender list on the MDA site) and contact the Rural Finance Authority Office at 651-201-6004 or RFA.Loans@state.mn.us with questions.

Established by the 1994 Minnesota Legislature, the Value Added Stock Loan Program helps farmers finance the purchase of stock in a cooperative, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership that proposes to build or purchase and operate a facility located in Minnesota to process or produce marketable products from agricultural&#x2004;crops. Stock in certain cooperatives proposing to own and operate livestock processing facilities or farm-generated wind energy production facilities may also be eligible.


This is a loan participation program available through the Rural Finance Authority (RFA). The farmer works through their local lender; if the lender agrees to make a secured loan, the lender and applicant jointly complete an application for an RFA participation. The RFA must have a completed Master Participation Agreement with the lender on file.



Established by the 1994 Minnesota Legislature, the Value Added Stock Loan Program helps farmers finance the purchase of stock in a cooperative, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership that proposes to build or purchase and operate a facility located in Minnesota to process or produce marketable products from agricultural crops. Stock in certain cooperatives proposing to own and operate livestock processing facilities or farm-generated wind energy production facilities may also be eligible.

This is a loan participation program available through the Rural Finance Authority (RFA). The farmer works through their local lender; if the lender agrees to make a secured loan, the lender and applicant jointly complete an application for an RFA participation. The RFA must have a completed Master Participation Agreement with the lender on file.

Applicants must:

- Be a resident of Minnesota, a domestic family farm corporation, or a family farm partnership as defined in Minnesota Statutes 500.24, subdivision 2
- Be a grower of the agricultural product that is to be processed by the agricultural product processing facility
- Demonstrate an ability to repay the loan
- Have a total net worth of less than $607,616 in 2026 (indexed annually for inflation), including the assets and liabilities of their spouse and dependents

- Loan Comparison Chart: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/loan-comparison-chart-1
- MDA Ag Finance Section: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/financebudget/agfinance
- Participating Lenders lookup: http://www2.mda.state.mn.us/webapp/lenders/lenders.jsp
- Approved Farm Business Management Programs: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/fbmprograms
- Loan Participation Program Submission Checklist (PDF): https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/docs/2023-10/RFA%20Lender%20Submission%20Checklist%2009202023_3.pdf
- Loan Agreement and Note for Stock Loan Participation Program (PDF): https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2018-07/stockloanagree.pdf

The RFA may participate in a loan up to 45% of the loan principal, to a maximum of $40,000. The loan term is a maximum of eight years. Interest-only payments are permitted for up to two years, with a fully amortized schedule of interest and principal calculated for the remaining years.

The lender may use a variable interest rate. The interest rate on the RFA portion is a fixed 2.0 percent or one-half of the lender's effective rate (APR) at time of closing, whichever is lower. No more than 95 percent of the purchase price of the stock will be financed under this program.

Security for the loan must be the stock purchased, a personal note signed by the borrower, and other security as required by the lender or the RFA. The value of the security must equal at least 150% of the total loan. A $50 application fee applies.

Apply at the appropriate link below:
- New Farmer Micro Grant Cognito Form Application Link 
- Infrastructure Investment Grant Cognito Form Application Link 
- Research and Development Grant Cognito Form Application Link
- Innovation and Diversification Grant Cognito Form Application Link

A complete application includes: 
1. Applicant Information (Appendix A) entered on the Cognito Form link 
2. Budget Form (Appendix B) added as an attachment on the Cognito Form link 
3. Grant narrative (Appendix C) added as an attachment on the Cognito Form link 
4. Conceptual drawings, estimates/quotes, production information, etc added as an attachment on the Cognito Form link

Jaime Smith

Mark Hood

The Farm Transition Grant Program (FTG) **[(C.G.S. Sec. 22-26k)](https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_422.htm#sec_22-26k)** is a competitive matching grant program for Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives to support the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state.


Four unique grant categories, for which eligible applicants can apply, are available. Applicants shall select the category for which they think their project&#x2004;most closely qualifies. DoAg reserves the right to alter the grant category selected by the applicant. Below are summaries of each category.

 

**New Farmer Micro Grant**

Microgrants to support new individuals/partnerships who have one full year to three years of production history and are seeking long-term careers that financially support them through farming and agriculture.

- Maximum award: $5,000

- Match requirement: 25% of project costs

**Infrastructure Investment Grant**

To support farmers who have been in production for a minimum of three years with infrastructure to expand the farm’s production and operation.

- Maximum award: $25,000

- Match requirement: 50% of project costs

**Research and Development Grant**

 A grant program for farms to conduct research to assess the viability and develop a new product line, service, or market.

- Maximum award: $25,000

- Match requirement: 40% of project costs

**Innovation and Diversification Grant**

A grant program for the implementation of a new product or service for market or business expansion after a research and development phase has been explored.

- Maximum award: $49,999

- Match requirement: 25% of project costs




The Farm Transition Grant Program (FTG) (C.G.S. Sec. 22-26k) is a competitive matching grant program for Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives to support the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state.

Four unique grant categories, for which eligible applicants can apply, are available. Applicants shall select the category for which they think their project most closely qualifies. DoAg reserves the right to alter the grant category selected by the applicant. Below are summaries of each category.
 
New Farmer Micro Grant
Microgrants to support new individuals/partnerships who have one full year to three years of production history and are seeking long-term careers that financially support them through farming and agriculture.
- Maximum award: $5,000
- Match requirement: 25% of project costs
Infrastructure Investment Grant
To support farmers who have been in production for a minimum of three years with infrastructure to expand the farm’s production and operation.
- Maximum award: $25,000
- Match requirement: 50% of project costs
Research and Development Grant
 A grant program for farms to conduct research to assess the viability and develop a new product line, service, or market.
- Maximum award: $25,000
- Match requirement: 40% of project costs
Innovation and Diversification Grant
A grant program for the implementation of a new product or service for market or business expansion after a research and development phase has been explored.
- Maximum award: $49,999
- Match requirement: 25% of project costs


The following entities are eligible to apply for all Farm Transition Grant categories: 
1. Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agribusiness within the State of Connecticut 
2. Agricultural cooperatives To qualify for the New Farmer Micro Grant, eligible entities must meet the following to qualify: 
    a. Apply for or possess a Farmers’ Tax Exemption Permit through the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services 
    b. Have a 2-5-year business plan drafted 
    c. Complete a crop plan 
    d. Be the operation owner and have been in production for a year or more 
    e. Tenants must include a written agreement between all necessary parties regarding the submitted project
To qualify for the Infrastructure Investment Grant, Research and Development Grant, and Innovation and Diversification Grant eligible entities must meet the following: 
- Be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, if established as a limited liability corporation or incorporation 
- Possess a Farmer’s Tax Exemption Permit 
- Have submitted a Schedule F, Form 1120S, Form 1065, or Schedule C for the previous three years 
- Tenants must include a long term written lease agreement between all necessary parties regarding the submitted project. 
Previous awardees to the Farm Transition Grant can reapply. 
Past awards and corresponding project completion will be taken into consideration when evaluating applications. 
Applicants who have an open agreement and a project in progress are ineligible to apply. 

- Grant Application Guidelines and Forms
- 2021 Farm Transition Grant Appendix B: Budget Fillable Form in Excel format
- 2021 Farm Transition Grant Appendix C: Grant Narrative Fillable Form in Word Format

Local Food

Food Systems

Match Requirement, Expenses, & Payment: 
All eligible expenses funded by any Farm Transition Grant program must advance farming and agriculture as defined by Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-1(q). 
All grant categories have a cash match requirement of which the percentage necessary varies. The cash match requirement for each program can be self-financed, bank-financing, or provided through another grant (federal, state, or otherwise). If a grant is providing the match, the applicant must disclose the grantor, the grant name, and amount awarded. A three-year profit and loss statement and current profit and loss must be provided. 
The Farm Transition Grant must be paid directly to the applicant. 
The following expenses cannot be used as a match and will not be funded by any grant category: 
- Any expense incurred prior to contract execution 
- Land acquisition/mortgages 
- Cost of borrowing (points and other fees) 
- Expenses related to establishing a new organization/business 
- Any portion of expense for which the applicant pays a contractor in merchandise or service in lieu of cash 
- Tuition/tuition reimbursement or career-related/scholarship funds 
- Routine business expenses (utilities, office supplies, etc.) 
- Disposable supplies (office, farm, otherwise) unrelated to the project 
- Legal expenses related to litigation 
- Indirect or contingency costs of any percentage 
The following expenses are an acceptable match if they directly and meaningfully support the proposed project: 
- Employee salaries and fringe benefits paid to execute the project 
- State/local/federal permits 
- Attorneys’ fees (not related to litigation) 
- Consumable or disposable supplies 
Eligible expenses by grant category can be found on page 4. The eligibility of general-purpose equipment will be reviewed based on grant category and project usage. 
These are reimbursement grants. Incomplete projects cannot be fully reimbursed. 
A reimbursement of 50% of the award can be provided to the New Farmer Micro Grant awardees during the project work, with the remaining 50% of the award reimbursed upon project completion. Receipts with proof of payment to justify the first 50% of the award must be provided. 
Project Duration & Post Award Requirements 
Projects must be completed within 18 months of contract execution. Contract and project extensions are not allowed.
Applicants of awarded projects will be responsible for the following: 
1. Signing an agreement with the State of Connecticut 
2. Providing a Certificate of Insurance holding the state harmless or listing the state as an additional insured on the grantee’s liability insurance policy 
3. Completing the project within the contractual timeframe
4. Submitting a final project report in the required format per the executed contract 
5. Submitting a final financial report itemizing actual expenses. Copies of invoices and proof of payment must be submitted with the payment request at the conclusion of the project 
6. Agreeing to a site inspection once the project is complete and prior to final payment being released 
7. Other requirements as outlined in the State of Connecticut contract 
Grantees will have additional training on requirements once contracts are executed.


Applicants are encouraged to review the Applicant Self-Screening Tool to assess preliminary eligibility for the program.
All FPEP applications must be filed through Grants.gov.  
Please review the Application Checklist to ensure a complete FPEP application is filed. 
Please review the following documents referenced in the application checklist:
- Project Narrative
- Environmental Checklist
- Feasibility Study Guide (for projects requesting $5 M or more)
- Signed Certifications Fillable Form
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPPEP application. Please reference Section 3.7 of the MPPEP RFA for registration instructions.

Lisa Noty

Team Lead, FIELDS Program (USDA Rural Development)

The Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is intended to expand, or bring into operation new, independent domestic fertilizer production capacity in order to provide&#x2004;agricultural producers with additional domestic fertilizer options and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. Program funding supports projects that significantly increase domestic process-manufacturing capacity and fertilizer availability, including expansions or upgrades of existing facilities, construction of new domestic production facilities, shovel-ready projects capable of rapidly increasing domestic supply, and on-site fertilizer terminals and transportation infrastructure that improve supply-chain efficiency. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is utilizing the services of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service to implement the program.



The Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is intended to expand, or bring into operation new, independent domestic fertilizer production capacity in order to provide agricultural producers with additional domestic fertilizer options and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. Program funding supports projects that significantly increase domestic process-manufacturing capacity and fertilizer availability, including expansions or upgrades of existing facilities, construction of new domestic production facilities, shovel-ready projects capable of rapidly increasing domestic supply, and on-site fertilizer terminals and transportation infrastructure that improve supply-chain efficiency. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is utilizing the services of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service to implement the program.

Entities are eligible regardless of legal structure and may include Tribes, Tribal Entities, Alaska Native Corporations, for-profit entities, corporations, non-profit entities, producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local government entities. Private entities must be independently owned and operated.

Eligible applicants must operate within the U.S. and its territories and propose projects physically located within the U.S. and its territories; be domestically owned; process-manufacture (or plan to) in accordance with all federal, state, Tribal and local regulations; and be registered in SAM.gov and maintain registration through the term of an award. Additionally, eligible applicants (including affiliates) must not hold a market share in production greater than or equal to the entity holding the fourth-largest share of that market for any of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, potash, or any combination thereof. Multiple applications from affiliated applicant entities are not permitted.

Weeds

Farmers Market

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Cost-share awards of $15 million to $150 million; a 50% non-federal match of total eligible project costs is required. Approximately 10 awards anticipated for FY2026. Maximum period of performance is 60 months, with up to 24 months of no-cost extension considered case-by-case. Selections anticipated December 2026–January 2027.

Apply online here when the grant is open.

Southern SARE Producer Grants are competitive. Each year SARE receives more grant proposals than SARE has monies to award funding. Here are some suggestions that might aid in strengthening your proposal:
- Follow the instructions in the Call for Proposal. Failure to follow directions or omit any required information will result in your proposal being rejected.
- Make sure your proposal falls in one of the following focus areas: Beneficial insects, alternative crops/animals, organic agriculture, sustainable marketing projects, sustainable grazing systems, soil health or water quality, appropriate technology, agroforestry, or increasing sustainability of existing farming practices.
- Only one Producer Grant is allowed by the farmer applicant per grant cycle. If you have more than one idea, SARE recommends you select your best proposal for submission, and save your other ideas for future submissions.
- Thoroughly research your project before applying. You may have a great idea for a project, but the research related to the topic may already be well established. SARE looks for projects that are new, innovative, generate results that are useful beyond one year and produce information that many farmers can use.
- Successful projects include clear goals and objectives. Due to the small size of the Producer Grants, SARE recommends developing no more than three (3) objectives in order to complete your project.
- SARE encourages collaboration and partnerships on grant projects. Cooperators help complement your skills. When you enlist the cooperation of people who have expertise in areas that you don’t, they’ll strengthen your project. Make sure to include cooperators from universities, Cooperative Extension, NGOs, community organizations, or other farmers to add value to your project.
- Make sure you include an outreach plan. Outreach plans can include field days, educational resources, how-to videos, publications, workshops, or presentations are conferences to share research results with other farmers.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to begin your proposal and to submit it to the SARE Grants Management online system. The deadline for proposal submissions is firm. Anticipate technological glitches, budget issues, user error or other issues that might cause delays.
- Be clear on the “what”, “why”, and “who cares” of your research project and how it pertains to sustainable agriculture. This is generally outlined in the “Statement of Problem” portion of your proposal. This is your “hook” for reviewers. Remember, they get to know you through your proposal. Tell your story.
- Seek assistance from other individuals or organizations in writing and reviewing your grant.

Candace Pollock-Moore

SSARE Assistant Director

Recognizing the value and importance of on-the-farm, producer experience in developing solutions to agricultural production challenges, the SSARE Producer Grant program was established in 1994 to give farmers the opportunity&#x2004;to conduct their own research projects. The competitive research grants program is intended to help farmers and ranchers develop sustainable production and marketing practices. The goal of the grant program is for farmers/ranchers to conduct projects to solve challenges and problems they face, and develop information on what works and doesn’t work so that other farmers and ranchers facing those same problems can benefit from the results of the funded project.



Recognizing the value and importance of on-the-farm, producer experience in developing solutions to agricultural production challenges, the SSARE Producer Grant program was established in 1994 to give farmers the opportunity to conduct their own research projects. The competitive research grants program is intended to help farmers and ranchers develop sustainable production and marketing practices. The goal of the grant program is for farmers/ranchers to conduct projects to solve challenges and problems they face, and develop information on what works and doesn’t work so that other farmers and ranchers facing those same problems can benefit from the results of the funded project.

Producer Grants are open to individual farmers/ranchers or farmer organizations. Only one proposal may be submitted per grant cycle. Primary occupation is farming or ranching or the applicant is a part-time producer. At least $1,000 of annual income from the operation must be documented. Farmer organizations should be comprised primarily of farmers/ranchers and must have a majority farmer representation on their governing board. There are no restrictions on farm size or the length of time an applicant has been farming. Producer Grants, however, are designed for farmers already established in their farming operation, and not be beginning farmers or ranchers.


Trials

Producer Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding:
- The proposal must be submitted from an individual farmer/rancher or farmer/rancher organization, such as a cooperative. Proposals from NGOs, other community groups or researchers are not accepted.
- Primary occupation is farming/ranching or part-time farming. Producers run their farm alone or with family or partners and have a least $1,000 of documented annual income from the operation.
- The proposed project addresses production and marketing issues that promote sustainable agriculture.
- The proposal addresses a research project; Producer Grants are not designed to pay a farmer to “farm.”
- Projects must include at least one cooperator. They can be other farmers, researchers, extension agents, governmental or non-governmental organizations, or others who cooperate in project planning, data collection and outreach of results.
- The proposed project satisfies the requirements of allowable expenses.
- An outreach component is identified in the proposal. Outreach allows the farmer to share his/her project outcomes with the greater farming community.


List of Agricultural Funding for Cooperatives