New England Farmer Microgrants Program

Launched in 2020, the New England Farmer Microgrants Program is a grant program that provides direct financial support up to $5,000 to farmers across New England.

The grants are designed to directly fund farmers where it is needed most. Previous awardees have used the funds to cover the costs associated with finding or getting onto farmland, purchasing equipment and services that increase on-farm productivity, and planning for the future of their farms. 

As part of the Western New England Regenerative Agriculture Project, 80% of this year’s funding will be for projects that improve the resiliency of livestock operations through improved soil health or other regenerative agriculture practices in these specific counties.

For farmers outside of New England, please see the national Brighter Future Microgrant Program.

Funding should be related to equipment or services associated with:

• Finding or getting onto farmland

• Bringing more farmland into production

• Planning for the future of the farm 

• Adopting regenerative agriculture or soil health practices on livestock operations in our Western New England Regenerative Agriculture Project region.

For this program, AFT defines “farmer” as an individual, group, or organization who are intentionally cultivating annual or perennial crops or animals for harvest. AFT understands farming practices vary widely across New England and across communities. This grant does not support growing or raising products primarily for personal use but is intended to allow production for community use. Applications from farmers that prioritize community-driven food security efforts are strongly encouraged. While agriculture in New England is broad, AFT's intent is to work with terrestrial, soils-based agricultural production. It is not AFT's intention with this funding opportunity to address aquaculture, forestry, or equine operations.

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