Western New England Regenerative Livestock Farming Grants (NE-RLF)

Launched in 2020, the New England Farmer Microgrants Program (NEFMP) is a grant program that provides direct financial support to farmers across New England. The program seeks to address some of the key barriers faced by farmers in the region: access to farmland, farm succession/transfer planning, and the adoption of regenerative farming practices. 

New for the 2023 grant cycle, NEFMP will consist of two separate funding opportunities: the Western New England Regenerative Livestock Farming grant, and grants to support farmland access and succession planning. 

The Western New England Regenerative Livestock Farming funding opportunity provides grants to livestock producers in select counties in CT, MA, NH, and VT for projects that improve soil health through the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. 

Applicants can request up to $10,000 under this funding opportunity. 

• For this program, we define “farmer” as an individual, group, or organization who are intentionally raising animals for harvest.

• A project may involve one or more of the following: an individual farmer, a farm family, a group of farmers with a cooperative business, or a non-profit entity.

• This program recognizes the following as “livestock”: beef or dairy cattle, bison, hogs, poultry, bees, goats, sheep, waterfowl.

• Farmers must work in select counties in CT, MA, NH, and VT.

Grants are reimbursement-based

This program issues payment to awardees as a reimbursement. If awarded, grantees will only receive payment after submitting proof of purchase/payment for services. AFT can also pay vendors directly for approved items/services on behalf of the grantee upon receipt of invoice from the vendor.

Through AFT's partnership with Farm Credit East’s FarmStart program, NEFMP awardees who face challenges in pre-paying for grant-supported projects may be eligible to receive a low-interest advance. Reach out to AFT staff for more information. 

Grantees have one year to implement their projects from the date of award.

Apply online at aft.smapply.io.

• Guidelines Document

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Documento de Directrices

• New England Resource Directory For Farmers

• Regenerative Livestock Partnership

• NEFMP Homepage