Massachusetts Climate Smart Agriculture Program (MA-CSAP)

The Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) combines several MDAR grant programs into one streamlined application to help Massachusetts farms invest in projects that strengthen their operations and improve sustainability.

Through a single application, farms can apply for funding to support projects in food safety, composting, environmental improvements, and energy efficiency or renewable energy. These projects typically involve capital improvements, such as installing new infrastructure, purchasing durable equipment, or upgrading farm systems that improve long-term efficiency and resilience.

The CSAP application includes funding opportunities from the following MDAR programs:

• Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)

• Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP)

• Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies (ACRE)

• Agricultural Energy Program (ENER)

• Agricultural Composting Improvement Program (ACIP)

The goal of the program is to help farms adapt to changing climate conditions, improve efficiency, protect natural resources, and strengthen the long-term viability of agricultural operations in Massachusetts.

• Applicants must be an agricultural operation, as defined by M.G.L. c. 128, Section 1A, that is engaged in the business of production agriculture within the Commonwealth;

• The property included in the proposed project must be in active agricultural use and managed by the applicant for a minimum of the previous three years prior to the application date.

• Applicants that have been operating an agricultural business for a period of one to three years, and have annual gross sales of at least $10,000 may be eligible for reduced funding amounts.

Maximum funding per application:

• Established Operations (3+ years in operation): up to $50,000 per project area, with a maximum total request of $150,000 per application.

• Early-Stage Farmers (1–3 years in operation): up to $10,000 per project area, with a maximum total request of $30,000 per application.

Funding covers up to 80% of total project costs per category (e.g., Food Safety up to $50,000; Compost up to $50,000; Environmental up to $50,000).

Match requirement: Applicants must contribute a minimum of 20% cash match for each project area. In-kind services, donations, and other funds are not eligible as a match.

All awarded projects must be completed by June 30, 2027.

You must submit your application through the online form. You cannot submit by email or mail.

Before applying, read the Request for Response (RFR), which provides a comprehensive summary of grant evaluation criteria, review timelines, award recipient expectations, eligible uses of grant funds, and examples of projects.

Apply online: https://www.mass.gov/forms/fy27-climate-smart-for-agriculture-program-csap

Deadline: 4:00 PM, Thursday, May 7, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

• FY2024 Climate Smart for Agriculture (CSAP) - Request for Response (RFR)