Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by American Farmland Trust (AFT)

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The grant administrators anticipate it will take approximately 20 – 30 minutes to complete. 
When ready, complete the application online at this portal.

Courtney Naumann

AFT seeks to support farmers across America through the Brighter Future Fund. We also recognize that social and racial injustices are entrenched in the history of our nation and our agricultural system. Our past informs inequities that persist today, and marginalized agricultural producers have been denied equal opportunity to prosper, facing challenges such&#x2004;as loan discrimination, barriers to accessing federal and private programs, exploitative labor practices, intimidation, and theft and appropriation of land.

In recognition of the need for greater equity and inclusion for all groups who have been, and still are, marginalized, we aim to support these producers through the Brighter Future Fund. For 2022-23, we are focused on providing resources to beginning, women and veteran farmers, as well as those historically resilient farmers identifying as socially disadvantaged in alignment with the USDA.



AFT seeks to support farmers across America through the Brighter Future Fund. We also recognize that social and racial injustices are entrenched in the history of our nation and our agricultural system. Our past informs inequities that persist today, and marginalized agricultural producers have been denied equal opportunity to prosper, facing challenges such as loan discrimination, barriers to accessing federal and private programs, exploitative labor practices, intimidation, and theft and appropriation of land.
In recognition of the need for greater equity and inclusion for all groups who have been, and still are, marginalized, we aim to support these producers through the Brighter Future Fund. For 2022-23, we are focused on providing resources to beginning, women and veteran farmers, as well as those historically resilient farmers identifying as socially disadvantaged in alignment with the USDA.

A project may involve an individual farmer OR a farm family. Only one grant can be awarded per farm entity.

Eligible Projects

Professional Services 
- Hiring an attorney to develop a farm lease, provide legal representation for a farm transfer or purchase, develop an estate plan to support a farm transfer, or navigate heir property issues. 
- Hiring a business, financial or estate planning consultant to assist with a farm transfer plan, business plan, or finance/loan plan. 
- Hiring a service provider to support business planning and other services necessary for farmland access or expansion such as land search planning, property assessment, facilitation, succession planning, or crafting agreements. 
- Paying transaction costs associated with securing land to farm. These may include costs associated with purchasing a farm, negotiating a lease agreement, or developing an agricultural conservation easement (e.g., survey, appraisal, etc.). 

Infrastructure and Equipment 
- Paying capital costs associated with improving soil health and enhancing land for farm production. Examples include: irrigation, fencing, or soil improvements. 
- Purchasing farm equipment or implements that would allow farmers to improve soil health, increase productivity, or enhance crop quality. 
- Acquiring new equipment or making improvements to increase marketing and sales of farm products. 
- Replacing infrastructure or equipment lost or compromised from natural disasters.

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

Grant

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Certification

Carbon Capture

Regenerative

Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat

Soil Health

Hurricane

Tornado

Flood

Drought

Local Food

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Native Americans

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Farmers Market

Disaster Relief

Socially Disadvantaged

Facilities

Legal & Finance

Emergency

- AFT will pay invoices directly to an applicant who is purchasing equipment or infrastructure. Payment to a service provider that is providing requested services or business supplying infrastructure or equipment can be considered.
- Within one year of the award date, applicants will be asked to submit: all receipts showing how the funds were spent, a written paragraph describing the project, and photos documenting how award funds were used.
- AFT anticipates paying approved expenses directly within 60 days of receiving a satisfactory invoice.
- For funds paid directly to the farmer, funds may be a reimbursement.
- AFT shall have no obligation to disburse amounts in excess of the approved grant, for services not completed, or goods or services not approved by AFT. Any expenses that exceed the grant maximum amount are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Expenses incurred prior to receiving written notification of approval will not be reimbursable by the grant.
- Any unspent grant funds may be dedicated towards further services for the applicant, pending written AFT approval. 

The application process will have two rounds. Round 1 is an open call process to solicit initial proposals from farmers. Round 1 opens December 6, 2021, and will close on January 7th, 2022. The application portal will open December 6th.
Applicants who are selected for Round 2 will be notified by early February and will be invited to submit a more detailed application, which will require:
- a letter of support from a service provider, 
- a more detailed project budget, and 
- a brief narrative about how the funding will impact their farming operation.
AFT strongly encourage applicants to pre-prepare their application questions using the Word version of the application and paste those responses into the online form.  
For those with limited technology access or comfort, AFT is able to receive mailed-in applications. Connect with AFT program staff for assistance. 

Kristin Irvin

New England Program Coordinator

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&#x2004;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](https://farmland.org/aft-rcpp-new-england/), 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](https://s30428.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NEFMP-Priority-Regen-Ag-County-List-v2.pdf).**

For farmers outside of New England, please see the national [Brighter Future Microgrant Program](https://ambrook.com/funding/brighter-future-microgrant-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.

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&#x2004;of regenerative farming practices. 

New for the 2023 grant cycle, NEFMP will consist of two separate funding opportunities: the New England Farmland Access, Succession, and Transfer Support (FAST) grant and grants for livestock producers in select counties. 

The Farmland Access, Succession, and Transfer Support provides grants to farmers anywhere in New England for projects that facilitate farmland access, succession, or transfer.  

Some examples of eligible projects include: farmland purchase or leasing transaction costs, consultant and attorney fees, surveys, appraisals, agriculture conservation easement fees.

Applicants can request up to $5,000 under this funding opportunity.  



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 New England Farmland Access, Succession, and Transfer Support (FAST) grant and grants for livestock producers in select counties. 
The Farmland Access, Succession, and Transfer Support provides grants to farmers anywhere in New England for projects that facilitate farmland access, succession, or transfer.  
Some examples of eligible projects include: farmland purchase or leasing transaction costs, consultant and attorney fees, surveys, appraisals, agriculture conservation easement fees.
Applicants can request up to $5,000 under this funding opportunity.  

- Farmers must be located in one of the six New England states (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, or VT)
- 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.
- AFT defines “land access” as the pursuit of finding or getting onto farmland to begin or continue a farming operation, and “farm transfer” as the steps involved in transferring a farm business and/or farmland from one entity to another.

- Guidelines Document
- Documento de Directrices
- New England Farmer Resources & Service Provider Directory
- Frequently Asked Questions
- New England Farmer Microgrants Program

Transition

Food Systems

Conservation

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.

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&#x2004;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](https://farmland.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NEFMP-Priority-Regen-Ag-County-List-2023.pdf) for projects that improve soil health through the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. 

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



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.

Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Equine

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Horses

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

- Guidelines Document
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Documento de Directrices
- New England Resource Directory For Farmers
- Regenerative Livestock Partnership
- NEFMP Homepage

Education

List of American Farmland Trust (AFT) Funding Opportunities