Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance that have applications closing soon

National Competition
A CIG funding notice is announced each year. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, are awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-state or nationwide in scope. The natural resource concerns eligible for funding through CIG are identified in the funding announcement and may change annually to focus on new and emerging, high-priority natural resource concerns. There are no open competitions at this time. When a competition opens, information on the competition and instructions for how to apply will be posted on grants.gov.

State Competition
The CIG state component emphasizes projects that benefit a limited geographical area. Participating states announce their funding availability for CIG competitions through their state NRCS offices. For additional information about State CIG competitions, please contact your State NRCS office.

On-Farm Trials
Up to $50 million annually is available for On Farm Trials, which support more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices and systems on working lands. On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.  There are no open competitions at this time. When a competition opens, information on the competition and instructions for how to apply will be posted on grants.gov.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. Through creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners work to address our nation's water quality, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations.


The CIG program has three components, CIG Classic, CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials and state-level CIG. 


**National and State CIG:**

Public and private grantees develop the tools, technologies, and&#x2004;strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop market-based solutions to resource challenges. Grantees must match the CIG investment at least one to one. The National CIG has an annual application period, State CIGs have various application period. Check your state's CIG page for details.


**On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials:**

Newly authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, On-Farm Trials support more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices and systems on working lands. On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.


The Soil Health Demo Trial (SHD) component of On-Farm Trials focuses exclusively on implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health. Eligible entities receiving SHD awards agree to follow consistent soil health assessment protocols to evaluate the impacts of practice and system implementation.




Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. Through creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners work to address our nation's water quality, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations.

The CIG program has three components, CIG Classic, CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials and state-level CIG. 

National and State CIG:
Public and private grantees develop the tools, technologies, and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop market-based solutions to resource challenges. Grantees must match the CIG investment at least one to one. The National CIG has an annual application period, State CIGs have various application period. Check your state's CIG page for details.

On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials:
Newly authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, On-Farm Trials support more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices and systems on working lands. On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.

The Soil Health Demo Trial (SHD) component of On-Farm Trials focuses exclusively on implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health. Eligible entities receiving SHD awards agree to follow consistent soil health assessment protocols to evaluate the impacts of practice and system implementation.


National and State CIG – all non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. All CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers.

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

Grant

- Webinars
- Read fact sheet
- Support for Historically Underserved Producers
- Congressional Support

On Farm Trials 2023 Applicant FAQs (256.29 KB)
CIG Classic 2023 Applicant FAQs (281.23 KB)

Sample Grant Application
- Sample Cash Contribution Commitment Letter (27.06 KB)
- Sample In-kind Contribution Commitment Letter (26.93 KB)

Resources
- Grantsmanship 101 for CIG Applicants (2.28 MB)
- EDF Practitioner’s Guide to Conducting Budget Analyses for Conservation Agriculture (1.81 MB)

Air Quality

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Trials

Reduced Tillage

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Water Management

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Research

National Competition
A CIG funding notice is announced each year. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, are awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-state or nationwide in scope. The natural resource concerns eligible for funding through CIG are identified in the funding announcement and may change annually to focus on new and emerging, high-priority natural resource concerns.
State Competition
The CIG state component emphasizes projects that benefit a limited geographical area. Participating states announce their funding availability for CIG competitions through their state NRCS offices. For additional information about State CIG competitions, please contact your State NRCS office or search for the latest postings.   
On-Farm Trials
Up to $25 million annually is available for On Farm Trials, which support more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices and systems on working lands. On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches. Read more.

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 **$20,000 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 $20,000 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
- Grant Instructions - FY26
- Lottery Process
- Grant Instructions - FY26 (HMONG)
- Grant Instructions - FY26 (SOMALI)
- Grant Instructions - FY26 (SPANISH)

Native Americans

Español

Women

Historically Underserved

Socially Disadvantaged

People Of Color

The Minnesota State Legislature approved $1 million for fiscal year 2025 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, 2025, 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. 

Funding requests must be submitted electronically on this page when the application is open.

Before you begin, applications will need:
- IRS Letter of Determination (Establishes the tax-exempt status of your organization or partner)
- Most Recent 990 (Can be downloaded from Guidestar.com for free)
- Organization Budget
- Program Budget

Ohio Farm Bureau

# Growing Tomorrow Grant

The Growing Tomorrow Grant was created to help inspire, encourage, and nurture young&#x2004;agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs to find creative and transformative ways to address challenges facing the agricultural sector today, and to generate wider and deeper public understanding of farming and the ways that agriculture impacts our nation and our communities.


This grant-making program is the brainchild of Mike Boyert, an Ohio Farm Bureau northeast regional trustee, and his wife Patti. Mike and Patti, residents of Medina County, remember well the struggles they encountered when they started their farming careers, and the difficulties they faced in starting, growing, and sustaining their farming business. The Growing Tomorrow Grant program is Mike and Patti’s way of ensuring that creative young farmers can access opportunities they did not have, and enabling these young professionals to use their skills to alleviate the difficulties facing agriculture today, including a lack of public education regarding the importance of farms within the US food system and the significant economic hardships facing rural communities and farm workers.

The Growing Tomorrow Grant program will provide grants to new or early-stage agricultural businesses. Grants will focus on supporting, among other activities:

- The creation of long-term sustainable employment opportunities within Ohio farming communities.

- Educational opportunities to enable better public understanding of agriculture, help farmers learn from each other, and teach new and different agricultural methodologies.

- Businesses that use or demonstrate the viability of agricultural techniques that center environmental stewardship.

- Farmers actively working to support and sustain the communities in which they live.

- 

**By funding creative and transformative agricultural solutions, the Growing Tomorrow Grant aims to help young farmers, strengthen public understanding of agriculture, and ensure the sustainability and vitality of agricultural communities for generations to come.**

_Check back in early 2024 for specific award information and deadlines to apply for this grant!_


For questions regarding the Growing Tomorrow Grant, please contact the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation at [foundation@ofbf.org](mailto:foundation@ofbf.org).



Growing Tomorrow Grant
The Growing Tomorrow Grant was created to help inspire, encourage, and nurture young agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs to find creative and transformative ways to address challenges facing the agricultural sector today, and to generate wider and deeper public understanding of farming and the ways that agriculture impacts our nation and our communities.

This grant-making program is the brainchild of Mike Boyert, an Ohio Farm Bureau northeast regional trustee, and his wife Patti. Mike and Patti, residents of Medina County, remember well the struggles they encountered when they started their farming careers, and the difficulties they faced in starting, growing, and sustaining their farming business. The Growing Tomorrow Grant program is Mike and Patti’s way of ensuring that creative young farmers can access opportunities they did not have, and enabling these young professionals to use their skills to alleviate the difficulties facing agriculture today, including a lack of public education regarding the importance of farms within the US food system and the significant economic hardships facing rural communities and farm workers.
The Growing Tomorrow Grant program will provide grants to new or early-stage agricultural businesses. Grants will focus on supporting, among other activities:
- The creation of long-term sustainable employment opportunities within Ohio farming communities.
- Educational opportunities to enable better public understanding of agriculture, help farmers learn from each other, and teach new and different agricultural methodologies.
- Businesses that use or demonstrate the viability of agricultural techniques that center environmental stewardship.
- Farmers actively working to support and sustain the communities in which they live.
- 
By funding creative and transformative agricultural solutions, the Growing Tomorrow Grant aims to help young farmers, strengthen public understanding of agriculture, and ensure the sustainability and vitality of agricultural communities for generations to come.
Check back in early 2024 for specific award information and deadlines to apply for this grant!

For questions regarding the Growing Tomorrow Grant, please contact the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation at foundation@ofbf.org.

Grants are typically made only to nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code, or who have a sponsoring agency with this status. Under certain circumstances, applications organizations that do not meet this criteria, but are providing a charitable program, may be considered.

In all cases, the applicant organization must deliver services in the State of Ohio and have a clear charitable purpose.

Stewardship

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Succession

Local Food

Trade Relief

Farmers Market

Legal & Finance

Labor

Grant amounts are typically between $1,000 and $3,000 and are provided for a one-year period. Grants may be used for: general support, startup funding for new organizations, program expansion, or capital for equipment necessary to implement eligible programs. Matching funds and/or resources are required. Collaborations among organizations are encouraged.

In order to maintain its focus and achieve a greater impact through the use of its funds, the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation will also generally not support:
- Support to individuals
- Capital campaigns and endowments
- Contests or pageants
- Organizations whose services do not benefit the community at large
- Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns
- Registration fees

View the application questions and complete your application online at this portal.

The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added&#x2004;and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the [Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)](https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html).

Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive. 



The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).
Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive. 

Applicant Requirements
- Applicants must be a Tennessee entity (i.e. agriculture, food, or forestry business, farmer, local government, or nonprofit in Tennessee) or have a project based in Tennessee.
- Applicants must demonstrate that their project will increase farm income for local farmers, enhance access to agricultural markets, increase capacity of their business, or contribute to the agriculture industry through innovation.
- Applicants must be making an investment into the project. AEF funds may not be more than 25% of the project’s total budget.
- Applicants must submit project updates to measure impact of the grant on the applicant as well as the local economy, and agree to work with the Department of Agriculture to track success of the project.
- Applicants may not submit proposals that will result in relocation of a facility from one place in Tennessee to another.
- Applicants must purchase at least 25% of any agricultural inputs from Tennessee producers. This requirement may be relaxed when compliance would be impracticable – i.e. in times of drought, disease, etc.
Project Requirements
Projects funded by the Agricultural Enterprise Fund must match the description of at least one of the following four categories. Many projects will potentially match the description of more than one category and applicants should indicate so on their application.
- Increase in Farm Income - This category includes projects that will increase farm income by offering farmers higher commodity prices than other markets, processing value-added products for farmers, or allowing a single farmer to add value to their own farm products.
- Increased Access to Markets - This category includes projects that will create or expand a market for Tennessee farmers or forest landowners, including reducing miles that farmers must transport their products to market or creating a new market entirely. 
- Increased Capacity - This category includes projects that will expand the capacity of an existing agricultural, food, or forestry business, including their production or processing capacity or the number of employees.
- Agricultural Innovation - This category is appropriate for entrepreneurs who wish to market a new technological innovation with the potential to impact Tennessee agriculture or the forestry industry by creating efficiencies in production, reducing costs, etc.

- Application Scoring
- Metrics
- Frequently Asked Questions

Trees

Application will be posted when available. 

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program was established during the enactment of the Clean Water Act. The seven Colorado River Basin states joined with federal agencies to prevent damages to lower basin states (Arizona, California, and Nevada) at the same time allow upper basin states to develop their compacted waters. A program that focused on improving irrigation efficiency was put in place and funded through Bureau of Reclamation, United States Department of&#x2004;Agriculture and the Basin States.

In Utah the program operates as a partnership with BOR, USDA, EPA, USGS, US F&WS, and BLM as federal agencies and UDAF, DEQ, DNR, local conservation districts, local conservancy districts, and local irrigation entities. These partners discuss, plan and implement projects which reduce the movement and flow of salts into the Colorado River and its tributaries. The projects also benefit local Utah residents with improved irrigation infrastructure, longer irrigation season, more efficient water use, and increased economies in project areas. Representatives from the state agency and local partners are members of the CRBSCP Forum, Advisory Council, and Workgroup which oversee and guide the salinity control program among the seven basin states.

The State Ground Water Program, administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), was implemented in 1996 to assist private well owners in determining the quality of their drinking, irrigation, and livestock water. The program receives assistance from local conservation districts in the selection of wells to sample.



The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program was established during the enactment of the Clean Water Act. The seven Colorado River Basin states joined with federal agencies to prevent damages to lower basin states (Arizona, California, and Nevada) at the same time allow upper basin states to develop their compacted waters. A program that focused on improving irrigation efficiency was put in place and funded through Bureau of Reclamation, United States Department of Agriculture and the Basin States.
In Utah the program operates as a partnership with BOR, USDA, EPA, USGS, US F&WS, and BLM as federal agencies and UDAF, DEQ, DNR, local conservation districts, local conservancy districts, and local irrigation entities. These partners discuss, plan and implement projects which reduce the movement and flow of salts into the Colorado River and its tributaries. The projects also benefit local Utah residents with improved irrigation infrastructure, longer irrigation season, more efficient water use, and increased economies in project areas. Representatives from the state agency and local partners are members of the CRBSCP Forum, Advisory Council, and Workgroup which oversee and guide the salinity control program among the seven basin states.
The State Ground Water Program, administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), was implemented in 1996 to assist private well owners in determining the quality of their drinking, irrigation, and livestock water. The program receives assistance from local conservation districts in the selection of wells to sample.

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

Cost Share

- US Dept. of Interior Salinity Control Program
- Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum


List of Agricultural Funding with Applications Closing Soon