Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Farm Credit East

Contact your local Farm Credit East office to start an application.

FarmStart is a Farm Credit East program that makes working capital investments of up to $75,000 to northeast agricultural ventures showing promise of&#x2004;success. The innovative program targets startup farmers and ag businesses with limited financial resources and who are not generally eligible for conventional lending programs.

The investment functions the same as an operating line of credit and is intended to provide the critical last dollar of funding to overcome the financial challenges that true startup farming operations initially face in generating working capital. Repayment of these funds is up to five years.



FarmStart is a Farm Credit East program that makes working capital investments of up to $75,000 to northeast agricultural ventures showing promise of success. The innovative program targets startup farmers and ag businesses with limited financial resources and who are not generally eligible for conventional lending programs.
The investment functions the same as an operating line of credit and is intended to provide the critical last dollar of funding to overcome the financial challenges that true startup farming operations initially face in generating working capital. Repayment of these funds is up to five years.

Farmers, forestry producers, fishermen, farm-related service businesses and cooperatives, generally in their first three years of business.

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

Historically Underserved

Application Requirements
- Complete the AgEnhancement application at the bottom of this page.
- Upload a letter to the AgEnhancement Application outlining the purpose of the proposed program, activity or event and describing how it will be conducted.
- Up to three pages supporting materials may also be included.

Kyle Bell

Each year, Northeast agricultural credit associations and CoBank award&#x2004;grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to help organizations promote awareness and strengthen agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products in the six New England states, New York and New Jersey. Since its inception in 1996, the Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program has awarded more than two million dollars in grants to organizations across the Northeast. [Learn more](https://www.farmcrediteast.com/industry-support/AgEnhancement-grants/agenhancment-projects) about the projects we support and what some of the recipients say about the AgEnhancement Grants


**Applications are accepted three times a year:**

**April 1st, August 1st and December 1st**



Each year, Northeast agricultural credit associations and CoBank award grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to help organizations promote awareness and strengthen agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products in the six New England states, New York and New Jersey. Since its inception in 1996, the Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program has awarded more than two million dollars in grants to organizations across the Northeast. Learn more about the projects we support and what some of the recipients say about the AgEnhancement Grants

Applications are accepted three times a year:
April 1st, August 1st and December 1st

Eligible projects are ones that promote and strengthen the agriculture, forest products or commercial fishing industries in any of the following ways:
- Development of young and beginning farmers
- Encourage leadership
- Develop a greater understanding of agriculture
- Recognize the accomplishments of ag leaders
- Study the economic viability of agriculture
- Promote interest in the industry
- Impact the Northeast (statewide and regional projects also eligible)

The following projects are not eligible:
- County or local school projects
- Programs and projects of non-agricultural charities
- Contributions for political support purposes, scholarships or memberships in professional societies or trade organizations
- General operating funds and ongoing program support
- Support for website administration and enhancement
- Capital or building projects
- Projects for an individual or individual farm operation
- Funding for annual state meetings general business or corporate meetings or regularly scheduled conferences 
- Indirect costs associated with sponsored projects

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

Grant

Trees

Local Food

Stewardship

Farmers Market

Marketing

Deadlines
- Proposals for Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement grant funding will be considered three times per year.
- Application materials must be received by the close of business April 1, August 1 and December 1. Receipt of projects after these dates will be held for consideration in the next review. It is recommended that the application be submitted in a grant cycle well in advance of the project date so that if the project is funded, the applicant will receive funding prior to the project start date. For example: if the project date is August 29-31, 20XX, then the application should be submitted for the April 1 grant cycle.
- Applicants will be notified by email that the application has been received. Applicants are encouraged to contact AgEnhancement if they do not receive an acknowledgement email.
- Notification of the funding decision will normally be within 30 days of the application deadline.


Apply online by filling out the form on this page.

The application includes short answer questions and essay questions to demonstrate your plans to pursue a career in agriculture.

Farm Credit East offers a merit-based scholarship to students who are pursuing an agricultural degree and intend to undertake a career in agriculture.



Any individual pursuing a full-time, post high school education (this includes colleges and technical schools) during the upcoming fall semester who demonstrates, through their career plans, experience, program of study and extracurricular activities, significant progress toward and a clear intention for a career in agriculture, forestry, commercial fishing or a related field. An associates, bachelors or graduate degree, as well as technical school attendance, qualifies as post high school education.
Candidates for the scholarship must have a permanent home address within the area served by Farm Credit East’s eight state territory: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Candidates must also plan to attend post high school education in the upcoming fall semester. Applicants are eligible to win this scholarship only once.

Diversity Scholarship
Farm Credit East embraces human diversity in the world and within our own cooperative. To be considered for the Diversity Scholarship, a candidate must appropriately identify their racial/ethnic status on the application. It is not required however, that racial/ethnic status is divulged in order to be considered for a scholarship.
Other Details
Scholarships can be used to defray the cost of tuition, room and board, books and other academic charges. Payment will be made directly to the student in June 2022. Proof of college and photo of student suitable for publicity is to be submitted by hard copy before check will be issued. Scholarship award is merit-based.

Nominate yourself or another producer directly from the online form on this page.

Former Farm Credit East CEO Bill Lipinski was an advocate for Northeast rural communities. During his tenure, he witnessed the economic success of some rural areas while others faced hardships, including real or perceived lack of job opportunities/loss of key employers, declining populations/demographics, etc. Lipinski understood that the long-term success of&#x2004;Farm Credit customers depends on not only the vitality of their individual business, but also on the health of the rural communities where they are based, and he knew Farm Credit East could do more to combat this disparity among rural communities. That is why the Farm Credit East Board of Directors established the Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award upon his retirement – to grow the organization's support of rural communities in his honor.



Former Farm Credit East CEO Bill Lipinski was an advocate for Northeast rural communities. During his tenure, he witnessed the economic success of some rural areas while others faced hardships, including real or perceived lack of job opportunities/loss of key employers, declining populations/demographics, etc. Lipinski understood that the long-term success of Farm Credit customers depends on not only the vitality of their individual business, but also on the health of the rural communities where they are based, and he knew Farm Credit East could do more to combat this disparity among rural communities. That is why the Farm Credit East Board of Directors established the Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award upon his retirement – to grow the organization's support of rural communities in his honor.

Nominees should be based in Farm Credit East’s territory, although nominees from outside the territory may be eligible if the initiative for which they are being nominated is positively impacting the rural areas of Farm Credit East’s territory (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont). Self-nominations are permitted.

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Food Systems

The Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award is to recognize previous, existing and/or ongoing initiatives. It is not intended as a grant to fund future projects, although it is hoped the financial award and the recognition from receiving the award will enhance the recipients’ ability to continue to make a positive impact in the future.
The award aims to recognize and reward programs, projects, individuals, businesses, organizations and/or institutions that:
- Create jobs in rural areas of the Northeast.
- Contribute to the quality of life in rural communities.
- Enhance the infrastructure, such as community facilities and broadband, necessary for strong rural economies.
This award is not intended to recognize innovative production agriculture practices unless there is a broader impact beyond the farm level. 
Funds will be provided directly to the recipient. Awards will be made at the sole discretion of the selection committee.

List of Farm Credit East Funding Opportunities