Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (ME DACF)

1. Before you complete any forms, take time to update your business plan, budget & financial projections to include the proposed project. Contact DACF staff with any eligibility questions in advance of submitting your proposal.
2. Complete the fillable Project Eligibility Form (PDF) digitally, and email it to DACF.
3. DACF will review your Project Eligibility Form and may contact you to conduct a telephone interview and make a site visit.
4. The Commissioner will then either issue a Letter of Eligibility for your project or recommend that you revise and resubmit your Project Eligibility Form for reconsideration.
5. If the Commissioner issues a Letter of Eligibility for your project, then you, as an eligible Borrower, may submit your completed AMLF Loan Application and FAME Personal Financial Statement to FAME. You must do this within 90 days. Please see FAME's Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund webpage for more details and forms.


FAME

The Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund (AMLF) provides financing to help Maine agricultural businesses undertake projects to enhance the viability and vitality of the farm, and improve the manufacturing, marketability and production of their products.



An eligible Borrower must: 
- Be an agricultural or aquaculture enterprise;
- Be located in the State of Maine and currently engaged in growing or harvesting plants; raising animals; growing, obtaining or adding value to plant or animal by-products; aquaculture; or producing, processing, storing, packaging or marketing a product derived from such a business being sold commercially; and
- Propose a project that is an eligible use of the fund.

The Fund may be used to:
- Purchase equipment;
- Purchase of land in connection with development of new cranberry acreage;
- Fund agricultural irrigation;
- To support diversification of an existing farming enterprise;
- Expand an existing agricultural enterprise to comply with land use regulations;
- Improve pastureland to promote rotational grazing; and
- Design, construct, or improve buildings, docks, wharves, piers, vessels, commodity and storage structures, packing facilities, or marketing facilities.

The Fund may not be used for:
- Working capital; or
- Refinancing projects commenced, costs incurred, or expenses paid prior to loan application. However, the Borrower may submit a written request for a waiver. Such waiver must be approved in writing by the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).

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

Loan

- Project Eligibility Form (PDF)
- Application—Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund
- Personal Financial Statement
- AMLF Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Eligibility Form (PDF)
- AMLF Rules (DOC)

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

High Tunnel

Irrigation

Storage

Trade Relief

Certified Organic

Water Management

Infrastructure

Marketing

Regenerative

Conservation

AMLF provides eligible Borrowers direct loans of up to $250,000 at a 5% fixed interest rate for capital improvements.

An eligible Borrower who previously received a Maine Farms for the Future Phase I grant may request the recommendation of the Maine Farms for the Future program for a 2% fixed interest rate.

Up to 30 years and determined by the useful life of the asset(s) being financed.

1. Before you complete any forms, take time to update your business plan, budget & financial projections to include the proposed project.
2. Submit completed Project Eligibility Form (PDF) to DACF.
3. The DACF will review your Project Eligibility Form and may contact you to conduct a telephone interview and make a site visit.
4. The Commissioner will then either issue a Letter of Eligibility for your project or recommend that you revise and resubmit your Project Eligibility Form for reconsideration.
5. If the Commissioner issues a Letter of Eligibility for your project, then you, as an Eligible Borrower, may submit your completed DIF Loan Application and FAME Personal Financial Statement to FAME. You must do this within 90 days. Please see FAME Dairy Improvement Fund webpage for more details and forms.


The Dairy Improvement Loan Fund (DIF) provides financing to help Maine agricultural businesses undertake projects to enhance the viability and vitality of the farm, and improve the manufacturing, marketability and production of their products.



Eligible Borrower
An eligible Borrower must:
- Be a dairy enterprise, dairy, dairy farm, or business making milk products;
- Keep cows, sheep and/or goats that contribute milk to your products;
- Be located in the State of Maine and currently producing milk products that are sold commercially; and
- Propose a project that is an eligible use of the fund.
Eligible Uses of the Fund
The Fund may be used to:
- Design, construct, or improve milking parlors, dairy barns and structures, and dairy feed storage structures; or
- Purchase, construct, or renovate buildings, land and equipment to maintain and enhance the viability and vitality of an established dairy enterprise, dairy, dairy farm, or business making milk products, located in the State of Maine.
Ineligible Uses of the Fund
The Fund may not be used for:
- Working capital; or
- Refinancing projects commenced, costs incurred, or expenses paid prior to loan application. However, the Borrower may submit a written request for a waiver. Such waiver must be approved in writing by the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).


Dairy

Cow Milk

Butter

Cheese

Yogurt

Goat Milk

Milk

- Project Eligibility Form (PDF)
- Rules for Dairy Improvement Fund (DOCX)
- Dairy Inspection Program

Equipment

Deferred principal and interest payments may be available up to 24 months from closing; interest accrues beginning at closing.

Up to 30 years and determined by the useful life of the asset(s) being financed.

Fees
- Loan origination fee: 1% (for loans over $100,000).
- Borrower is responsible for all loan closing costs.

Request application from and submit application to the Maine Potato Board:

Maine Potato Board
744 Main Street, Room #1
Presque Isle, ME 04769
207- 769-5061
800-553-5516

If the project is deemed eligible, the Maine Potato Board will notify the applicant(s) and will forward the application to FAME for financial review. Final approval is granted by the commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

Maine Potato Board

The Potato Marketing Improvement Fund Program provides low-interest financing to help Maine&#x2004;potato growers and packers improve the quality and marketing of their potatoes. Potato Marketing Improvement funds may also be used to improve the economic viability of the potato industry.


Funds may be used for:

- New construction or improvements to storage and packing facilities;

- Purchase of packing, sizing, washing and drying equipment;

- New construction or improvements of structures which augment potato production; or

- Purchase, construction or improvements that add value to farm production with direct benefit to potato production.



The Potato Marketing Improvement Fund Program provides low-interest financing to help Maine potato growers and packers improve the quality and marketing of their potatoes. Potato Marketing Improvement funds may also be used to improve the economic viability of the potato industry.

Funds may be used for:
- New construction or improvements to storage and packing facilities;
- Purchase of packing, sizing, washing and drying equipment;
- New construction or improvements of structures which augment potato production; or
- Purchase, construction or improvements that add value to farm production with direct benefit to potato production.

Generally, any person or business engaged in growing, processing or marketing potatoes in Maine. All potatoes stored or packed in Potato Marketing Improvement Fund-financed facilities must be produced in Maine.

Potatoes

Potato Seeds

Processing Potatoes

Russet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Vegetables

Specialty Crops

Local Food

Farmers Market

Four loan types with different terms are available
New Facilities Loan Fund may be used for acquisition/improvement projects, or new construction of storages and/or centralized packing facilities and actuation of equipment.
Storage Retrofit Loan Program may be used for upgrading storages with energy efficiency improvements, and climate control equipment.
Support Facilities Loan Program may be used for construction and acquisition, or improvement of buildings and other structures which augment the production and/or storage of potatoes, or help meet food safety standards.
Value Added Loan Program may be used for construction, or for improvements of facilities and equipment to add value to farm production with a direct benefit to potato production.
Security
Asset(s) being financed or other collateral, as required or available.
Guarantees of business principals owning 20% or more of the business, or 5% or more and receiving significant income from the business.
Fees
Borrower is responsible for all loan closing costs.

This program provides cost-share grants to conduct market promotion, market research and development, value-added processing and new technology demonstration projects.



An Eligible Borrower Must:
- Be an agricultural or aquaculture enterprise;
- Be located in the State of Maine and currently engaged in growing or harvesting plants; raising animals; growing, obtaining or adding value to plant or animal by-products; aquaculture; or producing, processing, storing, packaging or marketing a product derived from such a business being sold commercially; and
- Propose a project that is an eligible use of the fund.


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

Grant

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Trials

Applications are to be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Procurement Services, via email, to Proposals@maine.gov. Applications must be received by December 6, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Applications received after the 11:59 p.m. deadline will be ineligible for award consideration for that annual application enrollment period.

Important Notes:
- Only applications received by email will be considered. The Department assumes no liability for assuring accurate/complete e-mail transmission and receipt. 
- Applicants are to insert the following into the subject line of their email submission: “RFA# 202109150 Application Submission – [Applicant’s Farm Name]”
- Applications are to be submitted as a single, typed, PDF or WORD file and must include pages 10-18 of this RFA document.
- Applications must include 
    - copies of current certifications (Organic, etc.) or licenses (Maple Syrup, Commercial Kitchen, Mobile Vendor, etc.) required to lawfully operate the farm business.
    - The 2019 and 2020 Balance Sheet Financial Statement. 

Review the RFP carefully to make sure your application is compliant with the program rules.



Stephanie Gilbert

Michelle Webb

The **Maine Farms for&#x2004;the Future Program** is a competitive grant program that provides selected farms with business planning assistance and investment support.


The goal is to provide grants to for farm business owners to conduct research and strategic business planning on their “_Ideas for Change_” that might increase Farm Vitality, which is defined as, “_an increase in long-term, maintainable, farm profitability and net worth_."


The Program offers a spring and fall application period for eligible farm business owners who choose to apply.



The Maine Farms for the Future Program is a competitive grant program that provides selected farms with business planning assistance and investment support.

The goal is to provide grants to for farm business owners to conduct research and strategic business planning on their “Ideas for Change” that might increase Farm Vitality, which is defined as, “an increase in long-term, maintainable, farm profitability and net worth."

The Program offers a spring and fall application period for eligible farm business owners who choose to apply.

The Phase 1 grant allows selected farmers to research ideas for change on their farm and work with a certified business advisor, as well as other agricultural and professional service providers to develop an investment-grade business plan. To be eligible to apply for the Phase 1 grant of $6,000 to research and develop a business plan, an Applicant must:
1. Be a private, for-profit company that is owned by individuals, partners or corporations, that grows or produces agricultural products for commercial sale 
2. Own and operate a Farm Business that has been producing agricultural products commercially in the State of Maine for at least two (2) years (24 months) at the time of application;
3. Have ownership of the land that is being farmed, or be a partner or shareholder in a legal entity that owns the farmland; or if the farmland has been purchased recently, provide evidence of at least two years (24 months) of experience operating a commercial farm operation elsewhere in Maine;
4. Have State of Maine certification or licensure as required for their type of agricultural operation, i.e. Nutrient Management Plan, Commercial Kitchen License, Milk License, etc.

- 2021 Request For Applications
- Outline of Contents for Phase 2 Business Plan (DOCX)
- Farms selected for Maine Farms for the Future – Phase 1 from 01/01/00 to 12/31/2019 (PDF)
- 2021 Business Planning Outline (DOCX)
- FFF In-Kind Materials Match Log (XLS)
- FFF In-Kind Labor Match Log (XLS)
- FFF Purchased Materials Match Log (XLS)
- FFF Contracted Labor Match Log (XLS)


Succession

Fertilizer

Waste & Manure Management

Weeds

Labor

Legal & Finance

The Phase 2 cash grant and/or low-interest rate on a loan through the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund (AMLF), assists those farmers selected for Phase 1 between January 1, 2000 and the current year, who have a current business plan with implementing the project(s) described in their Business Plan. In exchange for a Phase 2 grant, each farm must sign a Farmland Protection Agreement that will be valid for 7 years. If a farm is permanently protected with a conservation easement, the farm may only compete for the low-interest rate on the AMLF loan. 
To be eligible for a Phase 2 cash grant and/or the low interest rate through the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund, an Applicant must:
1. Be a “Selected Farm” which is a farm that was previously selected for and completed Phase 1 after January 1, 2000; and
2. Satisfy all other eligibility criteria and match requirements listed in the Phase 2 Application Form.
Questions about Phase 2 Eligibility and Application Process can be submitted to alexander.redfield@maine.gov and answers will be published in December.

List of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (ME DACF) Funding Opportunities