Maine Farmers Drought Relief Fund (FDRF)

The Maine Farmer Drought Relief Fund (FDRF), created by the Maine Legislature (7 M.R.S.A., Chapter 8-A, subchapter 4 section 220-A(3)), assists farmers in the State to overcome the adverse effects of drought conditions by providing grants. The Department makes grants available to farmers to address the need for agricultural water management plans and the installation of agricultural water sources, including dug wells, drilled wells, gravel-packed wells, and water storage ponds.

Category 1 - Agricultural Water Management Plans: up to $7,500 to support design and permitting for Category 2 projects.

Category 2 - Agricultural Water Source Development: up to 90 percent of the cost of installation of a dug water well (up to $15,000), a drilled bedrock well (up to $25,000), a gravel-packed well (up to $50,000), or a water storage pond (up to $50,000).

Farmers that operate a farm in Maine are eligible to apply for funds to address agricultural water management of Maine cropland if they meet at least ONE of the following criteria:

a. Have produced gross annual sales of agricultural products of at least $10,000 in at least one of the previous three years; OR

b. Have produced gross annual sales of agricultural products of at least $2,000 annually in each of the previous three years and can demonstrate that the farm provides unique benefits to the local food economy as determined by the Commissioner; OR

c. Have an ancestral history of disinvestment or land dispossession in the State of Maine.

Allowable costs must directly address agricultural water management of Maine cropland. Unallowable costs include field irrigation equipment (e.g., center-pivot or micro-irrigation), and water supply for livestock, residential use, or commercial processing (unless expressly waived by the DACF Commissioner).

The Department made up to $930,000 available for installation of agricultural water sources from nonlapsing funding; an additional $300,000 may be available from FY27 funding after July 1, 2026, at the Department's discretion. Category 2 awards cover up to 90 percent of cost, capped by water-source type ($15,000 dug well / $25,000 drilled bedrock well / $50,000 gravel-packed well / $50,000 water storage pond). Upon signed contract, the period of performance begins and expenses on or after that date are eligible for reimbursement. Governed by the Rules for Operation of the Maine Farmers Drought Relief Fund (01-001, Ch. 38).

For the 2026 cycle, applications opened January 5, 2026 and were due February 13, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. local time (RFA #ARDFDRF2026). Applications must be submitted via the online form linked in the RFA, with supplemental files emailed to Tom.Gordon@Maine.gov. Applicants may not submit more than one application.