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

Interested producers should contact the DNREC Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Program or their local Conservation District office to apply for funding.

Sharon Webb

Alisa Bently

Dan Holston

The State Revolving Fund (SRF) Agricultural Nonpoint Source (AgNPSLP) Loan Program provides a source of low interest financing for managing dairy and milking parlor waste and manure in an environmentally sound and cost effective manner.


These loans help dairy farmers implement best management practices on their farms to reduce the potential for pollution from their farming operations. This program is managed jointly by DNREC Environmental Finance, the Division of Watershed Stewardship, and the state’s Conservation Districts.



The State Revolving Fund (SRF) Agricultural Nonpoint Source (AgNPSLP) Loan Program provides a source of low interest financing for managing dairy and milking parlor waste and manure in an environmentally sound and cost effective manner.

These loans help dairy farmers implement best management practices on their farms to reduce the potential for pollution from their farming operations. This program is managed jointly by DNREC Environmental Finance, the Division of Watershed Stewardship, and the state’s Conservation Districts.

Financing is available for the following dairy waste and manure management practices: Waste Management Systems, Equipment, Irrigation Equipment as part of a complete dairy waste management system for the purpose of spray irrigating wastes.

Any producer applying for an AgNPS loan must be obligated under a producer or supplier contract with one of the following dairy cooperatives or milk processors that has a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to participate in the AgNPS loan program: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Land O’Lakes, or Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Associate. Inc.

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

Loan

Dairy

Milk

Butter

Cheese

Yogurt

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Regenerative

Certification

Carbon Capture

Wildlife Habitats

Soil Health

Manure

Cover Crops

Grazing & Grass-Fed

Organic

Strip-Till

No-Till

Waste & Compost

Nutrient Management

Water Management

You can download an application to fill out by hand, or you can fill out an application online. Applications are reviewed and approved by the LaM FUND Advisory Committee on an ongoing basis. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with us to review your application; to contact the LaM FUND committee, please email lmfund@lamontanita.coop. LaM FUND loans include a $25 application fee and a 5% access to funds fee.


Joseph P

The La Montañita (LaM) FUND is a member funded micro-lending program designed to grow the local food system and strengthen the local economy. It provides an opportunity for members of La Montañita Food Co-op to support farms, ranches, value-added producers, and other food system endeavors and related businesses in the La Montañita foodshed region, as well as non-food businesses in New Mexico that utilize the cooperative economic business model. La Montañita Co-op Members can purchase Interests (similar to investing in a mutual fund) in the LaM FUND. Proceeds from the sale of the Interests in this offering are deposited in an account with Nusenda Credit Union for use as collateral for loans made by Nusenda to local producers and based on the recommendations of the LaM FUND Loan Advisory Committee. The loans are administered by Nusenda.



If you are a farmer, rancher, value-added producer, operate some other food system endeavor, or manage a cooperative business, you can apply for a loan through the La Montañita (LaM) FUND. 

- Apply for a Loan
- Statement on fair lending practices

Farmers Market

Local Food

Food Systems

La Montañita owns and controls the LaM FUND. The FUND consists of two types of Interests—A and B. Both A Interests and B Interests allow for the participation in LaM FUND activities but do not provide ownership of the LaM FUND. They do entitle A and B Interest purchasers to a share of any income from LaM FUND activities, such as loan fees, as determined by the La Montañita Board of Directors, proportional to the number of Interests they have purchased. La Montañita will purchase all A Interests by rolling over its A Interests purchased in the previous offerings. If a loan defaults, collateral provided by A Interests will be accessed first to repay Nusenda before collateral provided by B Interests is accessed.

The investing aspect of the LaM FUND is open to all current Co-op members who reside in New Mexico. The money raised from the sale of the “Interests” are placed in a Money Market account at Nusenda Credit Union, and are used to collateralize the loans to producers and other cooperative enterprises approved by the LaM FUND’s Loan Advisory Committee.

Interests are $250 each with a total 800 units in this year’s offering. The Interests are divided into 100, A-Interests and 700, B-Interests. La Montañita Co-op will purchase all 100, of the A-Interests for a total Co-op investment of $25,000 this year. Monies from the Co-op purchased A-Interests will be used first to cover outstanding balances in the event of a LaM FUND loan default. These A-Interests are the Co-op’s financial commitment to the program and although the purchase of LaM FUND’s interests are considered high risk, the A-Interests purchased by the Co-op, provide a lessening of risk to other LaM FUND investors.

B-Interests are available to all Co-op members on a first come first serve basis until they are gone. To keep the grassroots nature of the investing program individuals are limited to 40 B-Interests for an individual maximum investment of $10,000. Investors who purchase the “Interests” will receive the highest possible Nusenda money market interest rate (based on the total amount in the account) on our cooperatively pooled, federally insured account.  Any income generated by LaM FUND loans will be shared in proportion to the number of “Interests” purchased. The Interests have a one-year term beginning January 1st and ending on December 31.

Payments to investors on LaM FUND generated income will be approved by a vote of the Co-op Board of Directors in much the same manner as they now approve the annual membership patronage refunds and will be paid within the first 90 days of each year.

Co-op members can purchase B-Interests by December 31 for the following year.

Loan applications will be taken on an ongoing basis. The LaM FUND Loan Committee will meet periodically to review all applications. Funds for approved loans will be available in late winter and early spring just in time for the growing season.

Applications are evaluated quarterly by an Advisory Board. Proposals may be submitted anytime to the ODAFF, but 15 copies must be received prior to the quarter’s deadline in order to be eligible for review that quarter. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals at least 6 months prior to their anticipated start time. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and shall reside and be a legal resident of Oklahoma.


Jason Harvey

Market Coordinator

This grant is available to individuals or entities wanting to create or expand an agricultural event that benefits and furthers the public interest in agriculture.


The Oklahoma Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program provides funds in the form of 0% interest loans or grants for the purpose of expanding the state's value added processing sector and to encourage farm diversification. Funds, provided on a cost-share basis, must be used for marketing and utilization, cooperative marketing, farm diversification and basic and applied research. All funding proposals must clearly demonstrate the ability to directly benefit Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. Proposals are evaluated by a ten member Advisory Board with their recommendations for funding submitted to the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture.



This grant is available to individuals or entities wanting to create or expand an agricultural event that benefits and furthers the public interest in agriculture.

The Oklahoma Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program provides funds in the form of 0% interest loans or grants for the purpose of expanding the state's value added processing sector and to encourage farm diversification. Funds, provided on a cost-share basis, must be used for marketing and utilization, cooperative marketing, farm diversification and basic and applied research. All funding proposals must clearly demonstrate the ability to directly benefit Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. Proposals are evaluated by a ten member Advisory Board with their recommendations for funding submitted to the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture.

- Principles should be individuals rather than a previously existing corporation. Those individuals must have some type of cooperative agreement between themselves that will ensure proper accountability for the proposed plan.
- Proposals must show an economic impact to the agricultural community.
- Applicants will be required to submit a letter endorsing the Event from a city or county government official or the local Chamber of Commerce.

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

Grant

Events

Diversification

Distribution

Trials

Trade Relief

Marketing

Recreation

Funds must be used to produce alternative ag products or process and/or market Oklahoma ag products. Activities must create rural economic development, and indicate the probability of success. Preference is given to applicants whose:
- Industrial and non-food production processes use ag products
- Food, feed and fiber products and uses are innovative and add value to ag products
- Applications demonstrate a high probability of job creation and return-on-investment
- Proposals feature research that is innovative as well as commercially plausible
- Proposals demonstrate a high probability of rapid commercialization
- Projects demonstrate a commitment for funding from other private or public sources or from the applicant
- Proposals center efforts on rural locales
- Principals are individuals, a group of individuals, an individual on behalf of a group or corporations that meet the criteria set forth: to market a product or formulate or implement a marketing plan for products not marketed through existing cooperatives
- Proposals must have potential to create additional income for the farm unit
- Proposals must provide new, innovative plans for marketing the product


Grants are available in three levels not to exceed $10,000.
- Grants $2,500 or less must show a projected economic impact up to $5,000.
- Grants $2,501 - $5,000 must show a projected economic impact of $5,001 to $75,000.
- Grants $5,001 - $10,000 must show a projected economic impact of more than $75,000.

Southern SARE Producer Grants are competitive. Each year we receive more grant proposals than we have 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, we recommend 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. We look 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, we recommend developing no more than three (3) objectives in order to complete your project.
- We encourage 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 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.


- 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.


A complete application includes: 
1. Application Cover Page (Appendix A), submitted as a MS Word document with editable text 
2. Budget Form (Appendix B), submitted as a MS document with editable text, itemized for each category 
3. A project plan (Appendix C), submitted as a MS Word document with editable text. The format of Appendix C and all elements noted in Appendix C must be included. 
4. Conceptual drawings, estimates/quotes, production information, etc. These can be submitted as .pdf documents 

Applications must be submitted by email to Jaime Smith, Jaime.Smith@ct.gov AND Mark Hood, Mark.Hood@ct.gov between 2/10/2020 and 2/25/2020.

Jaime Smith

Mark Hood

The Farm Transition Grant (FTG) provides matching funds to Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives for the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and developing farmers’ markets and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state.



The following entities are eligible to apply for the Farm Transition Grant: 
1. Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agricultural production facilities located within the State of Connecticut. Tenants must include a written agreement between all necessary parties regarding the submitted project.
2. Agricultural cooperatives. 

Eligible entities applying must meet the following to qualify for the Farm Transition Grant:
- 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.

Matching funds from the applicant must be a minimum of 50% of the total project budget. The match must be clearly outlined in the application and can only be cash contributions; in-kind matches are not allowed. 

The cash match can be self-financed, provided by bank financing, or funded 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. The Farm Transition Grant must be paid directly to the applicant. 

Please note: This is a reimbursement grant. Funds shall be reimbursed to the applicant only after the entire project is successfully completed and all necessary documentation is submitted. There are no cash advances.

Projects must be completed within one year of contract execution. Contracts will be in effect for two years. 

Project extensions are allowable only with prior approval. Contract extensions are unallowable.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s grant coordinator or any other agent of the Commissioner of Agriculture may make periodic visits to the project site during the contract duration. 

Before you apply:
- Request a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number if your organization does not already have one. It should not take more than a few business days to get your number. However, you should plan on requesting it at least a month before the application deadline because you’ll need that number for the next pre-application step (see below).
- Register your organization with the System for Award Management (SAM) if you are not already registered. The registration is free, but you need to complete several steps. It’s a good idea to start the registration process at least a month before any application deadline. Before you start the registration process, we suggest reading through the HELP materials available on the SAM website. Then, you’ll need to create an account. After you create your account by setting up a user ID and password, you can register your organization. Remember, you’ll need your DUNS number to complete your registration. Also, make a note of your CAGE (Commercial And Government Entity) code and expiration date because you’ll need those for your application.

Additional requirements: You need to read the Federal Register notice for the details on what is needed for an application. Make sure you start putting together the required information at least a month before the application deadline because you will need to provide letters of commitment or support from other organizations, a work plan and budget, and other information that will take you some time to look up or write. You will also need to fill out forms. You can get copies of the forms from your nearest Rural Development office as well as the SDGG Application Template and suggested formats for required information.

The primary objective of the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a Notice published in the [Federal Register](https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/FY19_SDGGFederalRegister_NOTICE040819.pdf) and an announcement posted on [Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html).



The primary objective of the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a Notice published in the Federal Register and an announcement posted on Grants.gov.

Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers are eligible.

- Program Fact Sheet
- Federal Register
- Application Checklist 
- Application Template

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Grants must be used to provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance are:
- Feasibility studies
- Business plans
- Strategic planning
- Leadership training

Note that the cooperative or center can be located in any area, but the groups assisted must be located in an eligible rural area.

List of Agricultural Funding for Cooperatives

Delaware Dairy Loan Program

La Montañita's Fund (LaM)

Oklahoma Agriculture Event Grant

Southern SARE Producer Grant

Connecticut Farm Enterprise Transition Grant

Socially-Disadvantaged Group Grant (SDGG)