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

Applications for direct loan assistance may be submitted to the local FSA office serving the area where the operation is located. Local FSA offices are listed in the telephone directory under U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture, or Farm Service Agency. For guaranteed loans, applicants must apply to a commercial lender who participates in the Guaranteed Loan program. Contact the local FSA office for a list of participating lenders.

The Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment loan is the only loan program specifically for historically underserved and women farmers and beginning farmers. Down Payment loan funds may be used only to partially finance the purchase of a family farm. Loan applicants must contribute a minimum downpayment of 5 percent of the purchase price of the farm and the Agency will finance 45 percent to a maximum loan amount of $300,000. The balance of the purchase price not covered by the down payment loan and the loan applicant's down payment may be financed by a [commercial lender](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/Farm-Loan-Programs/pdfs/Current_Guaranteed_Lender_List.pdf), private lender, a cooperative, or the seller.



The Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment loan is the only loan program specifically for historically underserved and women farmers and beginning farmers. Down Payment loan funds may be used only to partially finance the purchase of a family farm. Loan applicants must contribute a minimum downpayment of 5 percent of the purchase price of the farm and the Agency will finance 45 percent to a maximum loan amount of $300,000. The balance of the purchase price not covered by the down payment loan and the loan applicant's down payment may be financed by a commercial lender, private lender, a cooperative, or the seller.

To qualify: 
- The applicant must make a cash down payment of at least 5 percent of the purchase price; 
- The maximum loan amount does not exceed 45 percent of the least of the purchase price of the farm or ranch to be acquired, the appraised value of the farm or ranch to be acquired, or $667,000 (Note: This results in a maximum loan amount of $300,150); 
- The term of the loan is 20 years. The interest rate is 4 percent below the direct FO rate, but not lower than 1.5 percent; 
- The remaining balance may be obtained from a commercial lender or private party. FSA can provide up to a 95 percent guarantee if financing is obtained from a commercial lender. Participating lenders do not have to pay a guarantee fee; 
- Financing from participating lenders must have an amortization period of at least 30 years and cannot have a balloon payment due within the first 20 years of the loan.

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

Loan

Fact Sheet: Loans for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

Commercial Lenders

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Socially Disadvantaged

Repayment terms for direct OLs depend on the collateral securing the loan and usually run from one to seven years. Repayment terms for direct FO loans vary but never exceed 40 years. 

Interest rates for direct loans are set periodically according to the government’s cost of borrowing. 

Guaranteed loan terms are set by the lender. Interest rates for guaranteed loans are established by the lender.

Many answers are found in our booklet, "Your Guide to FSA Farm Loans". It is also recommended that you call and make an appointment with your nearest Farm Loan Officer or Farm Loan Manager. Agency officials are required to:
- Help loan applicants complete FSA forms and gather information necessary for a complete application;
- Explain the application procedure, process, and the requirements for a complete application;
- Assist loan applicants in completing FSA forms and identifying sources of information needed for a complete application, if assistance is requested;
- Inform loan applicants of other technical assistance providers who may be of assistance at minimal or no charge. Some examples include, and are not limited to, the Cooperative Extension Service, non-profit organizations and institutions, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and other similar organizations; and
- Advise applicants of alternatives that will help overcome any possible barriers to being determined eligible for an FSA loan.

Advice for First Meeting with a Farm Loan Officer
- Have a general idea of what it is you want to do and be able to identify your goals. What type of operation do you have or want to have? What do you need to operate that farm or ranch? How will you market your product(s)? What type of loan(s) will you need? How much do you need? What are your projections?
- Good recordkeeping is very important. If you do not have your records organized, it is a good idea to try and put all your income and expenses into an understandable format. It does not have to be fancy. Also, what is happening inside the household is just as important as your business needs. Expenses such as food, clothing, mortgage or rent, insurance, taxes, medical costs, credit card payments, education expenses, and other consumer debt are part of the farm plan calculations. Know your costs. Bring your records with you.
- If you do not have complete financial or production records, it is best to present your farm business plan as realistically as possible. If your expected prices or yields exceed normal industry standards, it will be difficult for you to support your data.
- Remember to bring your tax returns for the last 3 years; your last few pay stubs if you have off-farm income; and your most recent credit card statements.
- If you want a farm ownership loan, you will need to bring a signed purchase option, contract to buy, or other similar form.
- Bring copies of any written leases to the office with you if you are leasing land or equipment.

Farm Ownership Loans offer up to 100 percent financing and are a valuable resource to help farmers and ranchers purchase or enlarge family farms, improve and expand current operations, increase agricultural productivity, and assist with land tenure to save farmland for future generations. With a maximum loan amount of $600,000 ($300,150 for Beginning Farmer Down Payment), all FSA Direct Farm Ownership Loans are financed and serviced by the Agency through [local Farm Loan Officers and Farm Loan Managers](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/index). The [funding](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/funding/index) comes from Congressional appropriations as part of the USDA budget.


**Loan Purposes:**


FSA’s Direct Farm Ownership loans are used to:

- Buy a farm or ranch

- Enlarge an existing farm or ranch

- make a down payment on a farm

- purchase of easements

- Construct, purchase or improve farm dwellings, service buildings or other facilities and improvements essential to the farm operation

- Promote soil and water conservation and protection

- Pay loan closing costs


There are 3 types of Direct Farm Ownership Loans: "regular," joint financing, and downpayment depending upon individual needs. FSA also offers a Direct Farm Ownership Microloan for smaller financial needs.


**Direct Farm Ownership Joint Financing Loan:**


Also known as a participation loan, joint financing allows FSA to provide more farmers and ranchers with access to capital. FSA lends up to 50 percent of the cost or value of the property being purchased. A commercial lender, a State program, or the seller of the farm or ranch being purchased provides the balance of loan funds, with or without an FSA guarantee.


**Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment Loan:**


Available only to eligible beginning farmers and ranchers and/or minority and women applicants, a Down Payment loan is a special type of Direct Farm Ownership loan program that partially finances the purchase of a family size farm or ranch. Beginning farmers do not have to identify themselves as a minority or woman, and minority and women loan applicants do not have to be beginning farmers.


The Down Payment Farm Ownership loan is the only loan program that does not provide 100 percent financing. Down Payment loans require loan applicants to provide 5 percent of the purchase price of the farm.


As established by the Beginning Farmer definition, loan applicants interested in the Down Payment loan may not own more than 30 percent of the average size farm at the time of the application. The applicant may exceed the 30 percent after the loan is closed. The most current Census of Agriculture data is used in this calculation.



Farm Ownership Loans offer up to 100 percent financing and are a valuable resource to help farmers and ranchers purchase or enlarge family farms, improve and expand current operations, increase agricultural productivity, and assist with land tenure to save farmland for future generations. With a maximum loan amount of $600,000 ($300,150 for Beginning Farmer Down Payment), all FSA Direct Farm Ownership Loans are financed and serviced by the Agency through local Farm Loan Officers and Farm Loan Managers. The funding comes from Congressional appropriations as part of the USDA budget.

Loan Purposes:

FSA’s Direct Farm Ownership loans are used to:
- Buy a farm or ranch
- Enlarge an existing farm or ranch
- make a down payment on a farm
- purchase of easements
- Construct, purchase or improve farm dwellings, service buildings or other facilities and improvements essential to the farm operation
- Promote soil and water conservation and protection
- Pay loan closing costs

There are 3 types of Direct Farm Ownership Loans: "regular," joint financing, and downpayment depending upon individual needs. FSA also offers a Direct Farm Ownership Microloan for smaller financial needs.

Direct Farm Ownership Joint Financing Loan:

Also known as a participation loan, joint financing allows FSA to provide more farmers and ranchers with access to capital. FSA lends up to 50 percent of the cost or value of the property being purchased. A commercial lender, a State program, or the seller of the farm or ranch being purchased provides the balance of loan funds, with or without an FSA guarantee.

Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment Loan:

Available only to eligible beginning farmers and ranchers and/or minority and women applicants, a Down Payment loan is a special type of Direct Farm Ownership loan program that partially finances the purchase of a family size farm or ranch. Beginning farmers do not have to identify themselves as a minority or woman, and minority and women loan applicants do not have to be beginning farmers.

The Down Payment Farm Ownership loan is the only loan program that does not provide 100 percent financing. Down Payment loans require loan applicants to provide 5 percent of the purchase price of the farm.

As established by the Beginning Farmer definition, loan applicants interested in the Down Payment loan may not own more than 30 percent of the average size farm at the time of the application. The applicant may exceed the 30 percent after the loan is closed. The most current Census of Agriculture data is used in this calculation.

There are 3 different types of qualifications for a direct farm ownership loan which need to be met:
- Eligible farm enterprise
- General eligibility requirements
- Farm management experience

First, the operation must be an eligible farm enterprise. Farm Ownership loan funds cannot be used to finance nonfarm enterprises, such as exotic birds, tropical fish, dogs or horses used for non-farm purposes (racing, pleasure, show and boarding).

All loan applicants must be able to meet the following general eligibility requirements:
- Must not have Federal or State conviction(s) for planting, cultivating, growing, producing, harvesting, storing, trafficking, or possession of controlled substances
- Have the legal ability to accept responsibility for the loan obligation
- Have an acceptable credit history
- Be a United States citizen, non-citizen national or legal resident alien of the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and certain former Pacific Trust Territory
- Have no previous debt forgiveness by the Agency, including a guarantee loan loss payment
- Be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere, with or without an FSA loan guarantee
- Not be delinquent on any Federal debt, other than IRS tax debt, at the time of loan closing
- Not be ineligible due to disqualification resulting from Federal Crop Insurance violation
- Be able to show sufficient farm managerial experience through education, on-the-job training and/or general farm experience, to assure reasonable prospect of loan repayment ability
- Must be the owner-operator of a family farm after loan closing

Managerial Experience Requirements:

The Direct Farm Ownership loan is different from all the other FSA loan offerings because Congress wrote into the law an additional 3 year farm management experience requirement. These 3 years of experience must be within 10 years of the date of loan application. 

Loan applicants may substitute 1 year of those 3 years if they have 1 of the following:
- Post-secondary education in an agriculturally-related field; and/or
- Significant business management experience; and/or
- Leadership or management experience while servicing in any branch of the military.

To gain credit for 2 out of the 3 years, loan applicants must show 2 of the following:
- Not less than 16 hours of post-secondary education in an agriculturally-related field; and/or
- Significant business management experience with at least 1 year of management in a non-agriculture related field where the applicant's day-to-day responsibilities included direct management experience, such as personnel decisions, payroll, and inventory ordering. In other words, not an individual who is a manger in title only; and/or
- Having been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the U.S.; and/or
- At least 1-year experience as hired farm labor with substantial management responsibilities; and/or
- Successfully completed a farm management curriculum offered by a cooperative extension service, a community college, an adult vocational agriculture program, a non-profit organization, or a land grant college or university; and/or
- Successfully completed a farm mentorship, apprenticeship, or internship program with an emphasis on management requirements and day-to-day farm management decisions; and/or
- Successfully repaid an FSA Youth loan; and/or
- Have an established relationship with an individual who has experience in farming or ranching, or is a retired farmer or rancher, and is participating as a counselor in the U.S. Small Business Administration's Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program or with a local farm or ranch operator or organization, approved by the Secretary, that is committed to mentoring the farmer or rancher.

There are 2 ways to by-pass the 3 year farm management experience requirement entirely:
- Use the Guaranteed Farm Ownership loan program, which works through a commercial lender; or
- Have at least 1-year experience as hired farm labor with substantial management responsibilities and be working with a SCORE mentor.

- Fact Sheet: Farm Loans Overview 
- Direct Loan Making Handbook 3-FLP
- National Agrability Project
- Farm Answers Library
- Farmers.gov

HVAC

Lighting

Greenhouse

Buildings

Fencing

Repairs

Construction

Storage

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Certification

Wildlife Habitats

Soil Health

Strip-Till

No-Till

Cash Rent

Business Plan

Refinancing

Transition

Cover Crops

Grazing & Grass-Fed

Organic

Succession

Water Management

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Facilities

Maximum Loan Limitations:

The maximum loan amount for a "regular" Direct Farm Ownership loan is $600,000. The maximum loan amount for a Joint Financing or Participation Farm Ownership loan is $600,000.

Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment maximum loan amount works differently. The maximum loan amount under this loan program will not exceed 45 percent of whichever is the lesser amount of:
- the purchase price;
- the appraised value of the farm being purchased; or
- $667,000.

The balance of the purchase price not covered by the down payment loan and applicant down payment may be financed by a commercial, cooperative, or private lender, including the seller. The financing provided by FSA and all other creditors cannot exceed 95 percent of the purchase price. An FSA guarantee may be used if financing is provided by eligible lenders.

Interest Rates:

The interest rate charged is always the lower rate in effect at the time of loan approval or loan closing for the type of loan wanted. Interest rates are calculated and posted the 1st of each month.

Repayment Terms:

The maximum repayment period for the Direct Farm Ownership loan and the Joint Financing loan is 40 years.

The repayment term for FSA's portion of a Down Payment loan is 20 years. The non-FSA financing portion is required to be at least a 30 year repayment period with no balloon payment allowed within the first 20 years of the loan.

To apply for these loans, please contact FTHF through the apply page on their website.

Feed The Hunger Fund works side-by-side with our borrowers – primarily women, immigrants, and people of color – to build a more equitable food system. As a certified Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI), we provide critical loans in Hawaii and California to help farmers and food entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.	



Local Food

Events

Diversification

Distribution

Farmers Market

Trade Relief

Labor

Support doesn’t stop once a business is launched. Our program specialists work one-on-one to nurture each business owner at every step along their journey. We build on the gifts each entrepreneur brings to the table by helping them learn what they need to know to be successful for the long-term.



The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Agriculture [awarded $95,949](https://www.ri.gov/press/view/35987) in grants in 2019 to 12 local agriculture and food businesses under the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Program. The goal of the program, which was established by the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) of 2012, is to support the growth, development, and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island. It is made possible by funding from the State of Rhode Island.


Project priorities for the 2019 LASA Grants Program were:

- Supporting the entry, growth, and/or sustainability of [small](https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/43742/36482_eib110.pdf?v=0) or [beginning](https://lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/BFRP_Definition.aspx) agriculture producers (including aquaculture producers) and fishermen/women;

- Fostering new cooperatives, partnerships, and/or collaborations among Rhode Island producers and producer-supporting organizations;

- Supporting new products or new sales channels with clearly defined markets, including institutional purchasing of local food;

- Protecting the future availability of agricultural land for producers, including farm transition planning and implementation;

- Relation to activities identified in Rhode Island’s Food Strategy [Relish Rhody](http://www.dem.ri.gov/relishrhody/).



The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Agriculture awarded $95,949 in grants in 2019 to 12 local agriculture and food businesses under the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Program. The goal of the program, which was established by the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) of 2012, is to support the growth, development, and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island. It is made possible by funding from the State of Rhode Island.

Project priorities for the 2019 LASA Grants Program were:
- Supporting the entry, growth, and/or sustainability of small or beginning agriculture producers (including aquaculture producers) and fishermen/women;
- Fostering new cooperatives, partnerships, and/or collaborations among Rhode Island producers and producer-supporting organizations;
- Supporting new products or new sales channels with clearly defined markets, including institutional purchasing of local food;
- Protecting the future availability of agricultural land for producers, including farm transition planning and implementation;
- Relation to activities identified in Rhode Island’s Food Strategy Relish Rhody.

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

Grant

Seafood

Fish

Shellfish

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

Crab

Dungeness Crab

King Crab

Snow Crab

Southern Tanner Crab

Crayfish

Lobster

Geoduck

Squid

Aquaculture

Food Systems

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please contact your local state office for additional information and to apply for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.

This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.

- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.



This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Who may apply for this program?

The following are eligible to be a Microenterprise Development Organization:
- Nonprofits.
- Federally-recognized tribes.
- Institutions of higher education.

The following are eligible to apply for a loan from the MDO as an ultimate recipient:
- Businesses located in an eligible area with 10 or fewer full-time employees.

What is an eligible area?
- Rural areas outside a city or town with a population of fewer than 50,000 residents. Urbanized areas near a city of 50,000 or more may not be eligible.
- The borrower’s headquarters may be based within a larger city so long as the project service area is located in an eligible rural area.
- The lender may be located anywhere.

Check eligible addresses for Business Programs.

Are there other requirements?

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:
- Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
- Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

Stewardship

What kind of funding is available? 
- Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually. Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
- Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization. Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?
- Maximum term is 20 years.
- Two-year payment deferral.
- Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?
- Up to $50,000.
- Fixed interest rate.
- Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:
- Working capital.
- Debt refinancing.
- Purchasing equipment and supplies.
- Improving real estate.

1. Complete the Fundraising Questionnaire: A short questionnaire to determine if a Micro Loan is the right solution for your capital needs. 
2. Publish a Project Page: A personalized page to represent your farm on Steward's platform - outlining your business and intended use of funds.
3. Invite your network to lend: Your community become stewards of your land for as little as $100.
4. Secure your loan: Using Steward's secure payment facilitation platform, receive your capital with ease.
5. Repay your lenders: Automate repayments and allow lenders to share in the rewards of your investment.

Steward helps regenerative farmers secure the capital they need to grow their enterprise with tailored loans funded through their CrowdFarming investment model. Becoming a Steward Farm means you have everything you need to scale your business, from access to capital to expert support services and advice. Steward backing means joining a global network of sustainable farms on the front line of the fight for our food system.


Their goal is to create and nurture mutually beneficial relationships between passionate farmers and responsible investors in order to rebuild sustainable agriculture around the world.


**What They Fund:**

- **Regenerative: **Farming practices that increase biodiversity, enrich soils, improve watershed health, sequester more carbon than they release, and enhance ecosystem services.

- **Sustainable:** Farming approaches that sustain farmers, resources, and communities.

- **Appropriate:** Farming approaches that are fitting for a specific community, location, or operation.

- **Equitable: **Farming systems and businesses that support marginalized groups and empower underserved communities.



Steward helps regenerative farmers secure the capital they need to grow their enterprise with tailored loans funded through their CrowdFarming investment model. Becoming a Steward Farm means you have everything you need to scale your business, from access to capital to expert support services and advice. Steward backing means joining a global network of sustainable farms on the front line of the fight for our food system.

Their goal is to create and nurture mutually beneficial relationships between passionate farmers and responsible investors in order to rebuild sustainable agriculture around the world.

What They Fund:
- Regenerative: Farming practices that increase biodiversity, enrich soils, improve watershed health, sequester more carbon than they release, and enhance ecosystem services.
- Sustainable: Farming approaches that sustain farmers, resources, and communities.
- Appropriate: Farming approaches that are fitting for a specific community, location, or operation.
- Equitable: Farming systems and businesses that support marginalized groups and empower underserved communities.

In order to be eligible for Steward funding, your project must use sustainable farming practices. Additionally, Steward prioritizes farm businesses with at least $10,000 in annual revenue or applicants who have had at least 3 years of farm management experience. 

If you do not already have a farm business and have not had 3 years of farm management experience, you may still be considered if you have a thorough business plan and financial plan. This assessment is at the discretion of the Farm Steward who reviews the application.

In general, applicants should have some degree of commercial farming experience. 

- Raise working capital: Borrowers dictate the minimum and maximum loan amount.
- Flexible interest rate: You choose the interest rate that works best.*
- Up to 5 years fixed term: Fully amortizing with 90 days deferred payments.
- Shareable Loan Offering Page: Share your project page to your direct community.
- Zero upfront fees: 3% loan origination fee paid at closing of loan, only if minimum lend is achieved.

To apply for this program, reach out to your local USDA service center.

The Transition Incentives Program (TIP) offers assistance for land owners and operators, as well as opportunities for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. It provides land owners or operators with two additional annual rental payments on land enrolled in expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, on the condition they sell or rent this land to a beginning farmer or rancher or to a socially disadvantaged group. Up to two additional annual CRP payments can be obtained through TIP. New land owners or renters must return the land to production using sustainable grazing or farming methods.


TIP provides land owners and operators with an incentive to return land to production on an expiring CRP Contract in a way that preserves established conservation practices. It also provides an opportunity for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to purchase their own land or rent land.



The Transition Incentives Program (TIP) offers assistance for land owners and operators, as well as opportunities for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. It provides land owners or operators with two additional annual rental payments on land enrolled in expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, on the condition they sell or rent this land to a beginning farmer or rancher or to a socially disadvantaged group. Up to two additional annual CRP payments can be obtained through TIP. New land owners or renters must return the land to production using sustainable grazing or farming methods.

TIP provides land owners and operators with an incentive to return land to production on an expiring CRP Contract in a way that preserves established conservation practices. It also provides an opportunity for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to purchase their own land or rent land.

Only land enrolled in an expiring CRP contract is eligible. TIP enrollment is on a continuous basis, and may occur up to one year before a contract is set to expire. To qualify for TIP, the land owner or operator must either sell this land, or lease it on a long-term basis (at least five year), to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.

A beginning farmer or rancher is a person or entity who has not been a farm or ranch operator for more than 10 years. A socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a group whose members have historically been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as a member of that group. For this program, gender is not included.

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

Legal & Finance

You must first apply to the USDA SBIR Phase I. 

Potential USDA SBIR topics include:
- Forests and Related Resources
- Plant Production and Protection - Biology
- Animal Production and Protection
- Conservation of Natural Resources
- Food Science and Nutrition
- Rural Development
- Aquaculture
- Biofuels and Biobased Products
- Small and Mid-Size Farms
- Plant Production and Protection - Engineering

Melinda Coffman

Program Coordinator

Kelly McDonald

Program Specialist

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits. The program stimulates technological innovations in the private sector and strengthens the role of federal research and development in support of small businesses. The SBIR program also fosters and encourages participation by women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses.


The objectives of the SBIR Program are to:

- Stimulate technological innovations in the private sector;

- Strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs;

- Increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from USDA-supported research and development efforts; and,

- Foster and encourage participation by women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged small business firms in technological innovations.



The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits. The program stimulates technological innovations in the private sector and strengthens the role of federal research and development in support of small businesses. The SBIR program also fosters and encourages participation by women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses.

The objectives of the SBIR Program are to:
- Stimulate technological innovations in the private sector;
- Strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs;
- Increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from USDA-supported research and development efforts; and,
- Foster and encourage participation by women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged small business firms in technological innovations.

- Technical and Business Assistance (TABA)
- SBIR Brochure
- SBIR Phase I Panel Review Instructions 
- SBIR Phase 2 Technical Proposal Review Instructions 
- SBIR Phase 2 Commercialization Review Instructions 
- Current Research Information System
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Capital Access
- SBA's Tech-Net
- United States Department of Agriculture

Trials

SBIR Phase I grants are limited to $100,000 and duration of 8 months and are open to any small business concern that meets the SBIR eligibility requirements. SBIR Phase II grants are limited to $600,000 and duration of 24 months and are only open to previous Phase I awardees. SBIR program funds are allocated in proportion to the number of proposals received over 10 broad topic areas. Proposals are reviewed through a confidential peer review process using outside experts from nonprofit organizations. All applicants receive verbatim copies of reviews.


Before you apply:
- Request a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number if your organization doesn’t 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 will need that number for the next pre-application step (see below).
- Register your organization with the System for Award Management (SAM) if you aren’t 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 will 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 will 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 will need those for your application.

Reach out to your local USDA service center for more application information.

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.


You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain.


Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the [Federal Register](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-12-11/pdf/2019-26626.pdf) and through an announcement posted on [Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html).



The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.

You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain.

Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.

Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply for this program

- Program Fact Sheet
- Data Universal Number System (DUNS)
- System for Award Management
- Federal Register Notice
- Program Regulation

Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:
- Processing costs.
- Marketing and advertising expenses.
- Some inventory and salary expenses.


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, a notice of loss must be submitted 15 days after loss is apparent. For Livestock and farm-raised fish losses, a notice of loss must be submitted 30 days after loss is apparent.

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 and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).



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.

Livestock

Honey

Bees

Cattle

Pigs

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Ducks

Emus

Equine

Geese

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Turkey

Water Buffalo

Ducklings

Goslings

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

Poults

Toms

Specialty Crops

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/elap-general-2020-fact-sheet-1.pdf

List of Agricultural Funding for Women

Down Payment Loan Program

Farm Ownership Loans

Feed The Hunger Fund

Rhode Island Local Ag & Seafood Act Grant (LASA)

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)

Steward Loans

Transition Incentives Program (TIP)

USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)

Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG)

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP)

Socially-Disadvantaged Group Grant (SDGG)