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

Contact your local FSA Service center to apply.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) authorized the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the&#x2004;Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). 

In 2021, USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA has expanded the program to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres.



The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) authorized the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). 
In 2021, USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA has expanded the program to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres.

ELAP provides assistance for livestock feed and grazing losses that are not due to drought or wildfires on federally managed lands; losses resulting from the cost of transporting water to livestock due to an eligible drought; losses resulting from the additional cost associated with gathering livestock for treatment and/or inspection related to cattle tick fever, honeybee feed, colony and hive losses; and farm-raised fish feed and death losses. 

An eligible livestock, honeybee or farmraised fish producer who certifies they are socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, or a veteran farmer or rancher will receive 90 percent of the payment rate for the losses under ELAP.

The average adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation relating to limits on payments for persons or legal entities, excluding joint ventures and general partnerships, with certain levels of AGI apply. Specifically, a person or legal entity with an AGI (as defined in 7 CFR Part 1400) that exceeds $900,000 is not eligible to receive ELAP payments. Direct attribution provisions also apply to ELAP. Under direct attribution, any payment to a legal entity will also be considered for payment limitation purposes to be a payment to persons or legal entities with an interest in the legal entity or in a sub-entity.

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

Grant

Livestock

Honey

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Cattle

Pigs

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Specialty Livestock

Eels

Fish

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Beef Cattle

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Feeder Cattle

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Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Equine

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Atka Mackerel

Carp

Catfish

Flounder

Goosefish

Herring

Hybrid Striped Bass

Largemouth Bass

Ornamental Fish

Pacific Cod

Pacific Ocean Perch

Pollock

Recreational Sportfish

Red Drum

Sablefish

Salmon

Sole

Sturgeon

Tilapia

Trout

Tuna

Turbot

Crustaceans

Molluscs

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

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Roasters

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Toms

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Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

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Horses

Bucks

Nannies

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Crab

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King Crab

Snow Crab

Southern Tanner Crab

Crayfish

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Geoduck

Squid

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Aquaculture

- Fact Sheet
- Calculator
- ELAP Final Rule (April 6, 2022)

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Producers can apply to receive ELAP assistance at local FSA service centers. The ELAP application period ends Dec. 31 of each calendar year. 
In addition to submitting an application for payment, producers who suffered losses must submit a notice of loss to the local FSA service center that maintains the farm records for their business.

For honeybee losses, producers must file notice of loss with the FSA within 15 days after loss is apparent. For Livestock and farm-raised fish losses, producers must file notice of loss with the FSA within 30 days after loss is apparent.

Producers may submit an application for payment from ELAP anytime during the program year and up until January 30th of the following year.

1. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can apply online using eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov/, or fill out VA Form 26-1880, "Request for Certificate of Eligibility." Download the form from www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-26-1880-are.pdf. See page 2 of the form for the mailing address of your regional loan center. Lenders can also get COEs for Veterans online.
2. Find a realtor and lender to help you through the process of buying a home. The lender will complete an application and help you determine the amount you qualify for. Once prequalified or pre-approved, the realtor can show you homes within your price range.
3. Choose a home, and sign a purchase agreement with the seller or a contract with a builder. Your sale contract should include a provision that voids the sale if you are unable to get VA-guaranteed financing.
4. The lender will order an appraisal of the property. Lenders also help you clear the final conditions required to close on your new home.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Home Loan benefit may be used to purchase a farm. There must be a farm residence on the land, and the Veteran must live in it as his or her primary residence. VA-guaranteed loans can only be used for residential purposes, and not to purchase a business. This means that some farm properties may not be eligible for purchase using a VA-backed home loan.



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

Loan

Loans for farm dwellings are appraised the same way as for nonfarm-type dwellings:
- VA does not limit the number of acres a VA-guaranteed property may have.
- The appraisal of properties with acreage should not pose a problem, as long as similar properties in the area were recently sold primarily for residential use. This may include improvements not typically considered residential, like barns, sheds, corrals, stables and pastures.
- For VA purposes, the value must not include livestock, crops, or farm equipment and supplies. Individual improvements not typically considered residential will be valued at fair market value. This includes barns, sheds, corrals, stables, pastures, etc.

Underwriting guidelines are generally the same as for nonfarm-type dwellings.
- For example, some or all of the income necessary to support the loan payments may come from farming operations. In this case, VA must verify the Veteran's ability and experience as a farm operator. Updated August 2018 2
- The procedures and analysis in Chapter 4 of VA Pamphlet 26-7, "Lenders Handbook", under "Self-Employment Income" generally apply.

Apply online at this portal.

The application, which consists of both short answer and essay questions, is comprised of five main focus areas: military service, educational background, prior farming experience, business and financial planning, and short-term and long-term goals.
Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Farm training/experience and/or transferable skills
- Personal investment in their farm business
- Strength of funding request and ability to show how an award will help grow their farm business
- Vision and goals for the future of their business
- Community involvement

Required Documents
Throughout the course of completing the application you will be required to upload the following additional document:
- A business plan
- Proof of service


Rachel Petitt

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, and nearly $3 million has been awarded to veterans since 2011.



- Must be a member of Farmer Veteran Coalition. Click here to join now.
- Have served or are currently serving in any branch of the United States Military.
- Received an ‘Honorable’ characterization of service upon discharge from the military. Other characterizations of service may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- Currently serving service members must provide a letter of support from their commanding officer or designated representative attesting to their characterization of service.
- Must have an agricultural business in operation and a business plan.
- Previous Fellowship recipients are ONLY eligible to apply again if previously awarded $1,000 or less.
- Must be willing to fully participate in the Fellowship Program, which includes periodic progress reports, mentoring other farmer veterans and a desire to make a positive impact on the farmer veteran community
- The Fellowship is designed to support for profit agricultural businesses, non-profit entities are not eligible to apply.

- Information Page
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Fellowship Application Review and Business Planning Video
- Free Business Plan Template
- Opening Email Notification

Farmer veterans who are selected as Fellowship recipients have six (6) months to use their award as outlined in their application or risk losing it to another deserving farmer veteran.

Upon notification of their award, Fellowship recipients may begin seeking out third-party vendors to make their purchase. All third-party vendors must be approved by the Fellowship Fund manager prior to purchase.

After an approved third-party vendor has been selected, the Fellowship Fund manager makes the payment on the farmer veteran’s behalf.

All are welcome to apply to receive equipment through Kubota’s ‘Geared To Give’ program. The application for the Geared to Give program is integrated into the Fellowship Fund Application.

There are two options to apply
1. Email a completed PDF application (available below) to RFA.loans@state.mn.us.
2. Complete the online Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant application. No pre-registration or account is required.
Mailable applications may also be requested from the program contacts.

Jenny Heck

Loan Programs

The Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant offers up to **$15,000 for qualified farmers purchasing their first farm**. The grant program is administered by the MDA's Rural Finance Authority (RFA) as part of its mission to develop the state’s agricultural resources.



The Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant offers up to $15,000 for qualified farmers purchasing their first farm. The grant program is administered by the MDA's Rural Finance Authority (RFA) as part of its mission to develop the state’s agricultural resources.

Eligible Applicants
- Individual (LLCs, partnerships, etc. must apply as individual)
- Minnesota resident
- Earn less than $250,000 annually in gross agricultural sales
- Applicants and their spouses have never owned a farm
- Will provide the majority of labor and management on the farm
- Will farm the land for at least 5 years
- In good standing with the State of Minnesota
- Have not been convicted of a crime related to a state grant agreement
Eligible Purchases
- Farmland or other agricultural real estate (tillable acres, hog barn, commercial greenhouse, etc.)
- Within the borders of Minnesota
- Must close on purchase after application approval and within designated timeframe. This grant cannot be applied retroactively toward purchases that have already closed.

- Information Session
- Request for Proposals (RFP) - Round 2 FY24
- Lottery Process

Socially Disadvantaged

The Minnesota State Legislature approved $1 million for fiscal year 2024 Down Payment Assistance Grants to Minnesota farmers earning less than $250,000 per year in gross agricultural sales. Applications will remain valid for purchases closing within six months after grant approval or until June 30, 2024, whichever is sooner.
The RFA expects to award approximately 66 grants in this funding cycle, dependent on size of grant requests. The RFA will award these grants using a random lottery process, with preference given to emerging farmers. If you are not an emerging farmer, you may still apply. Applications will be accepted from July 1 to July 31, 2023. The RFA will make award decisions in early to mid-August. 

Applicants interested in applying in response to this RFA must submit it via email to NRCS-DCWA2-Outreach-and-Partnership-Division@USDA.GOV; the agency will not accept applications submitted any other method including through Grants.gov or via email to any other email address. 
All required documents must be attached in a single email, but do not need to be combined in one attachment. Please state that you are applying to the Conservation Outreach Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements RFA.
NRCS expects applicants to read the entire RFA prior to submitting their application to ensure that they understand the program’s requirements. This application checklist provides the required and conditionally required documents for an application package.
Conservation Outreach: Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements requires that all application packages include the following, which can be found in the RelatedDocuments tab of the opportunity in Grants.gov:
- Project Proposal Template
    - Ensure the required format and does not exceed the page limit.
    - Ensure project excludes unallowable costs and activities per Section D, Part 6, Funding Restrictions.
- SF 424 – Application for Federal Assistance
- SF 424A – Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs.
- Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying
If applicable, packages may also be required to include the following documents:
- Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or De Minimis Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

The Office of Outreach and Partnerships Division (OPD) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners. In this Request for Applications (RFA), NRCS&#x2004;requests applications for four OPD priority areas through the Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements. The goal of this outreach is for NRCS in collaboration with partners to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, tribal and veteran. Proposals should support activities that introduce the concepts of climate-smart agriculture and to assist producers with planning and implementation of conservation practices and principles.



The Office of Outreach and Partnerships Division (OPD) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners. In this Request for Applications (RFA), NRCS requests applications for four OPD priority areas through the Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements. The goal of this outreach is for NRCS in collaboration with partners to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, tribal and veteran. Proposals should support activities that introduce the concepts of climate-smart agriculture and to assist producers with planning and implementation of conservation practices and principles.

Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types based in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands):
- Individuals (Applicants who are individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization they may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.)
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (other than institutions of higher education)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education

List of Agricultural Funding for Veterans