Brighter Future Microgrant Program

The Brighter Future Microgrant Program will assist farmers in successfully launching, growing and sustaining farms in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, changing markets, severe weather and climate change and other forces impacting the food and agricultural system. Grants are intended to leverage other resources and make a real difference for farmers to improve farm viability, access land, improve land security, facilitate farm transfers and increase resilience to climate change.  

Grants can be used for farm equipment, infrastructure, and/or professional services to help participating farmers achieve program goals.  

The grant is open to every state, but applicants from the six New England states are managed separately. If you are in New England, apply at this page instead.

A project may involve an individual farmer OR a farm family. Only one grant can be awarded per farm entity.

Eligible Projects

Professional Services

• Hiring an attorney to develop a farm lease, provide legal representation for a farm transfer or purchase, develop an estate plan to support a farm transfer, or navigate heir property issues.

• Hiring a business, financial or estate planning consultant to assist with a farm transfer plan, business plan, or finance/loan plan.

• Hiring a service provider to support business planning and other services necessary for farmland access or expansion such as land search planning, property assessment, facilitation, succession planning, or crafting agreements.

• Paying transaction costs associated with securing land to farm. These may include costs associated with purchasing a farm, negotiating a lease agreement, or developing an agricultural conservation easement (e.g., survey, appraisal, etc.).

Infrastructure and Equipment

• Paying capital costs associated with improving soil health and enhancing land for farm production. Examples include: irrigation, fencing, or soil improvements.

• Purchasing farm equipment or implements that would allow farmers to improve soil health, increase productivity, or enhance crop quality.

• Acquiring new equipment or making improvements to increase marketing and sales of farm products.

• Replacing infrastructure or equipment lost or compromised from natural disasters.

AFT will continue to receive applications and make awards until available funds are expended. All services supported by the grant must be completed within one year of the date of the Letter of Award (extensions may be granted upon request). For grants funding long-range succession and transfer planning services, reports showing progress/milestones may be requested

• PDF Application Prep

• Application Link

• Grant Guidelines