Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for operations interested in reduced inputs.

To learn more about EQIP, contact your local NRCS office. Visit the Apply for EQIP page for more information on what to expect.
An NRCS conservationist will visit you and evaluate the natural resources on your land. NRCS will then present a variety of conservation practices or system alternatives to help you address those concerns or management goals to improve or protect the natural resource conditions on your land.  At some point, you will likely need to complete the EQIP application form below. 

Applications for EQIP​ financial assistance are accepted throughout the year, but specific deadlines are set for ranking and funding opportunities within each state. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to maximize acceptance into EQIP before your state's next funding deadline.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.


**How It Works**

This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and&#x2004;producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.


Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement [conservation practices](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849), and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.


**Benefits**

Some of these benefits include:

- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.

- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.

- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.


**2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates**


[Historically underserved](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/people/outreach/slbfr/?cid=nrcsdev11_001040) (HU) participants are eligible for[ advance payments ](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcseprd1502414)to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.


The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.


The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  


Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.


**EQIP Incentive Contracts**

The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.


You can [visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242382) for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.


**Popular Practices**

- [Cover Crops](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1263481&ext=pdf)

- [Forest Stand Improvement](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340673&ext=pdf)

- [Prescribed Grazing](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1255132&ext=pdf)

- [Irrigation](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340699&ext=pdf)


**EQIP Initiatives**

Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. [Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113).

- [High Tunnel Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046250)

- [Organic Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs143_008224)

- [Air Quality Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/air/quality/?cid=stelprdb1047144)

- [Landscape Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113)

- [On Farm Energy Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046252)

- [Conservation Innovation Grant](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig)

- [Colorado River](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/co/programs/landscape/?cid=nrcs144p2_062765)



The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

How It Works
This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.

Benefits
Some of these benefits include:
- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.
- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.

2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates

Historically underserved (HU) participants are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.

The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.

The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  

Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.

EQIP Incentive Contracts
The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.

You can visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.

Popular Practices
- Cover Crops
- Forest Stand Improvement
- Prescribed Grazing
- Irrigation

EQIP Initiatives
Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here.
- High Tunnel Initiative
- Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Initiative
- On Farm Energy Initiative
- Conservation Innovation Grant
- Colorado River

Eligible land includes:
- Cropland and hayland
- Rangeland
- Pastureland
- Non-industrial private forestland
- Other farm or ranch lands
- Environmentally sensitive areas

Eligible applicants(s) include:
- Agricultural producers
- Owners of non-industrial private forestland
- Indian Tribes
- Those with an interest in the agricultural or forestry operations
- Water management entities

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

Grant

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

Cost Share

- EQIP fact sheet (425.04 KB)
- Conservation Incentive Contracts (1.18 MB)

EQIP Initiatives
- High Tunnel Initiative
- Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Conservation Initiative
- On-Farm Energy Initiative
- Colorado River Basin Salinity Project


Air Quality

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Trees

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Reduced Tillage

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Trials

Fertilizer

Waste & Manure Management

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Weeds

Regenerative

Water Management

Infrastructure

Conservation

Certification

Carbon Capture

Disaster Relief

Weather

Marketing

Research

Compliance

Emergency

Practice-by-practice cost-share, normally paid after the practice is installed. No single rate is published: "NRCS financial assistance can cover part of the costs of implementing conservation practices" and "Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year." The per-practice, per-unit rate lives in your state's NRCS payment schedule — that is the document to ask for. Planning help is free: "NRCS offers technical assistance at no cost."

Historically underserved producers (beginning, limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, military veteran) get two upgrades. First, "Historically underserved producers are also eligible for a higher payment rate." Second, the advance payment option pays before you spend: "The option provides at least 50 percent of the contracted payment for each conservation practice up front, before the practice is implemented, to purchase materials or contract services."

Two strings on that advance: "The advance payment must be expended within 90 days of receipt, and the practice completed as agreed to on the EQIP plan of operations," and "Any funds not expended within 90 days of receipt must be returned to NRCS." All practices qualify, and "Producers can use the option for as many or as few practices as they choose." You elect it on form NRCS-CPA-1155.

NRCS's own worked example: a beginning farmer approved for cover crops on 40 acres, where "the payment rate for implementation of a cover crop practice is $56.81 per acre," receives "$2,272.40" in total, of which "$1,136.20" can arrive in advance.

No per-producer dollar cap is stated on the program page. Applications are accepted continuously, with state deadlines set for ranking and funding.

To apply for EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts, contact your local NRCS office at the details above.

How to apply for an EQIP

Conservation Incentive Contracts address priority resource concerns, including sequestering carbon and improving soil health in high-priority areas. Through these contracts, NRCS works with producers to strengthen the quality and condition of natural resources on their operations using management practices, such as irrigation water management, drainage water management, feed management and residue and tillage management that target&#x2004;resource concerns, including degraded soil and water quality, available water and soil erosion.

Conservation Incentive Contracts offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns within state high-priority areas and build on existing conservation efforts. 

**NRCS accepts applications for EQIP year-round, however producers and landowners should apply by [state-specific signup dates](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/financial/?cid=NRCSEPRD1837661) to be considered for each year’s funding.**



Conservation Incentive Contracts address priority resource concerns, including sequestering carbon and improving soil health in high-priority areas. Through these contracts, NRCS works with producers to strengthen the quality and condition of natural resources on their operations using management practices, such as irrigation water management, drainage water management, feed management and residue and tillage management that target resource concerns, including degraded soil and water quality, available water and soil erosion.
Conservation Incentive Contracts offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns within state high-priority areas and build on existing conservation efforts. 
NRCS accepts applications for EQIP year-round, however producers and landowners should apply by state-specific signup dates to be considered for each year’s funding. 

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who own or lease agricultural land may be eligible. EQIP assistance can be used on many types of operations, including, but not limited to:
- Conventional and organic
- Specialty crops and commodity crops
- Forestry and wildlife
- Livestock operations

- State-Specific Signup Deadlines
- EQIP Information

Incentive contracts:
- Require producers to address at least one priority resource concern during the contract period.
- Have an initial length of five years.
- Have a payment limitation of $200,000 for the life of the current Farm Bill.
- Offer two types of payments:
    - Implementation payments, which are paid after certification of practice.
    - Annual payments, which include management practices that will serve as annual payments and are paid as soon as practicable, after October 1 of each fiscal year.
NRCS offers higher payment rates and advance payments to historically underserved (HU) producers who implement conservation practices in an EQIP Conservation Incentive Contract.

The next (Fiscal Year 2028) application cycle opens January 2027; NMDA encourages each potential applicant to begin working on their project idea in Fall 2026. Projects selected for funding will happen between July 2027 and September 2028. Applicants can review the FY2027 application requirements specific to Eligible Entities and to Individual Applicants, and can subscribe to the electronic newsletter to be notified of future funding opportunities.

Grants to improve soil health are the centerpiece of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Healthy Soil Program. Every year, NMDA awards grants to implement on-the-ground projects that involve one or more of the five soil health principles stated in the Healthy Soil Act: keeping soil covered; minimizing soil&#x2004;disturbance on cropland and minimizing external inputs; maximizing biodiversity; maintaining a living root; and integrating animals into land management (including grazing animals, birds, beneficial insects, or keystone species such as earthworms). NMDA created its Healthy Soil Program after the Healthy Soil Act was signed into law in 2019; the program's purpose is to promote and support farming, ranching, and other land management that increases soil organic matter, aggregate stability, microbiology, and water retention to improve the health, yield, and profitability of the soils of the state.



Grants to improve soil health are the centerpiece of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Healthy Soil Program. Every year, NMDA awards grants to implement on-the-ground projects that involve one or more of the five soil health principles stated in the Healthy Soil Act: keeping soil covered; minimizing soil disturbance on cropland and minimizing external inputs; maximizing biodiversity; maintaining a living root; and integrating animals into land management (including grazing animals, birds, beneficial insects, or keystone species such as earthworms). NMDA created its Healthy Soil Program after the Healthy Soil Act was signed into law in 2019; the program's purpose is to promote and support farming, ranching, and other land management that increases soil organic matter, aggregate stability, microbiology, and water retention to improve the health, yield, and profitability of the soils of the state.

NMDA welcomes applications from two types of applicants. (1) Eligible Entities: pueblos, tribes, and nations; acequias; land grants; soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs); New Mexico State University-Cooperative Extension Service; and other local governmental entities with proven land management to support healthy soil. (2) Individual Applicants: a category that includes individuals, businesses, and nonprofits directly engaged in farming, ranching, and/or other forms of land management.

Grant caps depend on which applicant track you are in, and both are published in NMDA's FY27 Healthy Soil Program FAQs.

Eligible Entities (pueblos, tribes and nations; acequias; land grants; SWCDs; NMSU Cooperative Extension; other local governmental entities): "An Eligible Entity can apply up for up to $100,000.00 in project funds, provided the Eligible Entity has a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from the System for Award Management (https://sam.gov/). Eligible Entities that do not possess a UEI by the grant-application deadline ... can apply for a Healthy Soil Program grant of up to $24,999.99." Getting a UEI is free "but can be time-consuming," so the missing-UEI penalty is real: it drops the ceiling by roughly 75 percent.

Individual Applicants (individuals, businesses and nonprofits directly engaged in farming, ranching or land management): "An Individual Applicant can apply for up to $24,999.99. That figure must include the Project Sponsor's 15% administrative fee and mileage, both of which NMDA pays directly to the Project Sponsor." In other words the sponsor's 15 percent comes out of the same $24,999.99, not on top of it, so the funds actually available for on-the-ground work are materially less than the headline cap.

No match is required in either track. For Eligible Entities: "Matching and in-kind contributions are not required for Healthy Soil Program grants." For Individual Applicants: "NMDA does not require Individual Applicants to provide matching and/or in-kind contributions."

Project period rather than a multi-year contract: "NMDA will award funds to projects whose activities happen no earlier than July 15, 2026, and no later than September 30, 2027. NMDA will not fund activities occurring outside of that period."

A lifetime limit applies to individuals: "Individual Applicants who have received three (3) grants from NMDA's Healthy Soil Program are no longer eligible to apply for funding." There is no acreage minimum — "If less than an acre, a project site can be measured and submitted in terms of square feet" — but Individual Applicants must complete conservation planning with USDA-NRCS (or an NRCS-certified planner) and secure sponsorship from an SWCD or their tribal government before applying.

Growers participate through Indigo's sustainable sourcing programs; see the program page to engage.

Indigo Ag — General

Source by Indigo operates sustainable sourcing initiatives focused on emissions reductions, helping design water programs (from understanding water usage in crop cultivation to implementing water conservation programs) and running low-CI feedstock programs with farmers to generate revenue from clean fuel markets (Scope 3 sourcing).



Growers/farmers are the primary participants in Source by Indigo programs.

A contract to sell an environmental outcome the operation produces - sequestered carbon, a water-quality credit, a habitat credit - to a buyer, rather than receiving an award. Payment is typically per unit (per acre or per ton CO2e) over a multi-year term and contingent on verification, so records using this instrument carry the payment.* and contract.* fields rather than award.min/award.max. Covers both credit-generating programs, where credits are sold to outside buyers, and supply-chain insetting programs, where a company the operation already sells to pays for the practice.

Environmental Market

Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Alternative Energy

The program enables farmers to participate and maintain profitability through meaningful incentives for sustainable practices — farmers can earn a premium for their efforts when implementing strategies to reduce their inputs and footprint.

2026 cycle timeline: RFP Release June 3, 2026; Concept Proposal Submission June 30, 2026; Concept Proposal Decision July 27, 2026; Pre-project Consultation July 28 - August 7, 2026; Full Proposal Development August 8 - August 31, 2026; Final Funding Decision September 25, 2026; Project Start January 1, 2027. For technical issues with the grant application system, email cdfa.opca@cdfa.ca.gov.

CDFA Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (BIFS)

The goal of the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) grant program is to demonstrate and refine integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to reduce chemical insecticide inputs, especially non-selective, biologically disruptive insecticides with higher risk to human health and the environment. The program provides outreach of innovative, biologically integrated plant-based farming systems that reduce chemical pesticide inputs.



Public or private colleges and universities, local, state, and federal government entities including tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and commodity groups are eligible to apply. The project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California.

Inputs

BIFS demonstrates IPM-based alternative pest management options that focus on economical and efficacious biological and cultural pest management techniques. Maximum award amount, total available funding, and any cost-share/match requirement are not disclosed on the program webpage (see the BIFS RFP and Applicant Guide).

To apply, carefully read the Notice of Funding Opportunity on grants.gov and follow the instructions to submit an application. 
In preparation for applying, you will need to take the following (free) steps, if you haven't already:
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Register with SAM.gov
- Obtain a Unique Entity Number (UEN) from SAM.gov
- Register an account with Grants.gov

Melanie  Krizmanich

This program provides financial&#x2004;assistance to carry out activities for one or more of the following purposes. 

- Generate compost.

- Increase access to compost for agricultural producers.

- Reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer.

- Improve soil quality.

- Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.

- Increase rainwater absorption.

- Reduce municipal food waste; and

- Divert residential and commercial food waste from landfills. 

In addition to meeting one or more of the above purposes applicants are encouraged to align their project proposals to address priorities on environmental justice, racial equity, climate, invest in disadvantaged communities and climate smart agricultural practices. Priority will be given for each of the following elements that are included in a project:

- Anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits for the targeted community;

- Incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners, school gardens, and producers;

- Integrate food waste reduction strategies, including innovative food recovery efforts such as food gleaning, storage, and preservation techniques; and

- Include a robust plan that describes collaboration with multiple partners. 



This program provides financial assistance to carry out activities for one or more of the following purposes. 
- Generate compost.
- Increase access to compost for agricultural producers.
- Reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer.
- Improve soil quality.
- Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.
- Increase rainwater absorption.
- Reduce municipal food waste; and
- Divert residential and commercial food waste from landfills. 
In addition to meeting one or more of the above purposes applicants are encouraged to align their project proposals to address priorities on environmental justice, racial equity, climate, invest in disadvantaged communities and climate smart agricultural practices. Priority will be given for each of the following elements that are included in a project:
- Anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits for the targeted community;
- Incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners, school gardens, and producers;
- Integrate food waste reduction strategies, including innovative food recovery efforts such as food gleaning, storage, and preservation techniques; and
- Include a robust plan that describes collaboration with multiple partners. 

Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Independent School Districts
- State-designated Indian Tribes
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally-recognized tribal governments) 
- Special district governments
- Municipal Governments

- Opportunity on grants.gov (Includes Notice of Funding Opportunity)
- SAM.gov

Stewardship

Local Food

Farmers Market

Socially Disadvantaged

People Of Color

Historically Underserved

This program requires applicants to provide a minimum cost share of 25 percent of the federal share awarded. Applications that do not include the required level of cost-sharing will be ineligible for award. Cost sharing may be achieved with contributions of cash, services, materials, equipment, or other in-kind contributions, which may be provided by the applicant or a third party.

To apply for the 2023 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, please complete and submit the application at this portal by April 29, 2022 at 11:59 pm EDT. Late entries will not be accepted.

The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Launched in 2015, The Challenge was the first national business competition of its kind focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs.

Now in their eighth year, the American Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with Farm Credit, are looking to identify the&#x2004;top entrepreneurs who are addressing both traditional challenges farmers face on their operation, such as access to labor, optimizing yield and reducing operating costs, to entrepreneurs who are addressing new challenges facing farmers and rural communities.

Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds to ten businesses, culminating at a live pitch competition and networking event in Atlanta, GA. The Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will be awarded $50,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors [Farm Credit](https://farmcredit.com/), [Bayer Crop Science](https://www.cropscience.bayer.com/), [John Deere](https://www.deere.com/en/), [Farm Bureau Bank](https://www.farmbureau.bank/) and [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/).



The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Launched in 2015, The Challenge was the first national business competition of its kind focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs.
Now in their eighth year, the American Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with Farm Credit, are looking to identify the top entrepreneurs who are addressing both traditional challenges farmers face on their operation, such as access to labor, optimizing yield and reducing operating costs, to entrepreneurs who are addressing new challenges facing farmers and rural communities.
Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds to ten businesses, culminating at a live pitch competition and networking event in Atlanta, GA. The Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will be awarded $50,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank and Microsoft.

1. The 2023 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is open to all Farm Bureau members. 
2. All businesses entered into The Challenge must be for-profit. Non-profit businesses are not eligible.
3. Applicant Team Lead must be at least 18 years of age to enter.
4. Businesses who have received a funding round beyond Series A (or a comparable funding round) are not eligible to compete in The Challenge.
5. Previous Semi-Finalist businesses are not eligible to compete in The Challenge. 
6. Applicant Team Lead must be available to attend and participate in the Top Ten Semi-Finalist competition, the Final Four Live Pitch Event, and the awards ceremony to be held at the 2023 American Farm Bureau Convention (“Convention”) in San Juan, Puerto Rico from January 6, 2023 to January 11, 2023. 

- Ag Innovation Challenge Terms and Conditions
- Become a Farm Bureau member

Training

Legal & Finance

The application calls for inclusion of various information regarding an Applicant’s business plan, photos and a video pitch. An online judging committee comprised of Farm Bureau and Farm Credit staff will review and evaluate the applications using a point-based rubric and other factors as determined by the judges to select the Top Ten Semi-Finalist teams, which will be announced on September 13, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Business scores or judge’s rubric will not be sent to applicants. The Top Ten Semi-Finalists will travel to the 2023 AFBF Convention to compete live. 
Round 2 will take place at the 2023 AFBF Convention, where the Top Ten Semi-Finalist teams will pitch their business in a workshop-style meeting room in front of a panel of judges and live audience. These judges, along with Farm Bureau and Farm Credit advisors will select four (4) teams to compete live in the Final Four Live Pitch competition. 
Round 3, the final round, will also take place at the 2023 AFBF Convention and will consist of the Final Four (4) teams competing on stage in a live event in front of a team of judges and a live audience. The Final Four (4) teams will compete for the grand prize and title of 2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, 2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, as well as the People's Choice Award. The winners will be announced at the 2023 AFBF Convention Closing General Session in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday, January 11, 2023. The Team Lead from each of the four Finalist teams is required to be present at the AFBF Convention Closing General Session and to accept their award on stage if they are chosen as a winning team.

The application period for this program closed on December 17, 2025. Details on this page and in the AGRI SustAg Demonstration Grant FY26 Request for Proposals (PDF) apply to the past round of funding.

Contact us if you need this information in an alternative format.

Kelly Anderson

Eric Nooker

MDA Grants Line

The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant (SustAg) supports innovative on-farm research and demonstrations. SustAg projects explore sustainable agriculture practices and systems that could make farming more profitable or resource-efficient. Findings are published in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's annual Greenbook.



Applicant eligibility
Applications from Minnesota farmers receive priority, but the program also funds Minnesota nonprofits and educational organizations that meaningfully involve Minnesota farmers in projects.
Your project must last two to three years and you must be willing to share what you learn with others.
Project eligibility
MDA will fund projects that explore the profitability, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture practices or systems. Projects can include, but are not limited to:
- Practices that increase environmental sustainability and improve soil health
- Conservation tillage and weed management methods
- Novel cover crops and crop rotations
- Input reduction strategies, including nutrient and pesticide management
- On-farm energy production, such as wind, methane, or biomass, or improvements in energy efficiency
- Developing/refining/improving marketing opportunities, including season extension and post-harvest storage and handling
- Novel enterprise diversification, including organic production, using traditional and non-traditional crops and livestock
- Other creative ideas that focus on environmental benefits, energy savings or production, profitability, and/or farmers’ quality of life

Cover Crop

- AGRI Overview
- Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Statute (M.S. 17.116)
- Greenbook
- Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA)
- North Central SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)

You may request up to $50,000 per project. For requests between $25,000 and $50,000, you must provide a dollar-for-dollar match on the amount above $25,000. MDA expects to award up to $350,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

List of Agricultural Funding for Reduced Inputs