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

The first step in the application process is an eligibility determination. Submit an Eligibility Form to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). If the project is deemed eligible, DACF will notify the applicant(s) and will forward the Eligibility Form to FAME. The applicant(s) must then complete and submit the required program application documents (listed below) to FAME.

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
- Application—Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund
- Personal Financial Statement

Events

Certification

Diversification

Distribution

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Greenhouse

Buildings

Fencing

Construction

Storage

Trade Relief

Organic

Water Management

Marketing

Regenerative

Facilities

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.

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.



Generally, any business or individual located in Maine and identified by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as engaged in commercial production of cow milk or cow milk products.

Eligible uses include design, construction or improvement of milking parlors, dairy cattle housing, silos, grain bins, feed sheds, or the construction or renovation of buildings, or equipment, located in Maine and used in connection with a dairy enterprise.

Loan funds may not be used for working capital, non-project-related equipment and expenses, or refinancing. Outside construction lending sources may be required for projects seeking to use the Dairy Improvement Fund for dairy-related construction take-out financing.

Dairy

Cow Milk

Butter

Cheese

Yogurt

Goat Milk

Milk

- Eligibility Form—Dairy Improvement Fund
- Application—Dairy Improvement Fund
- Personal Financial Statement

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.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review all documents found on the Division of Procurement Services website that are listed under the heading: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the sub-heading: Maine Farms for the Future Program.

The next application periods are planned for the Spring and the Fall of 2021. Please check this webpage in January 2021 for updates.

Stephanie Gilbert

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 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 (excluding marijuana farms, except as permitted under 7MRS Ch.406A, Section 2231);
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.

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

Grant

Trials

Succession

Manure

Fertilizer

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 between January 1, 2000 and December 30, 2019; and
2. Satisfy all other eligibility criteria and match requirements listed in the Phase 2 Application Form.

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



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.

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.

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

Maine Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund (AMLF)

Maine Dairy Improvement Fund (DIF)

Maine Farms for the Future Program

Maine Potato Marketing Improvement Fund