Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Marbleseed

More information will be posted on the website as they are developed. For more information, reach out toMercedes Talvitie. 

Mercedes Talvitie

**Update (2026):** Marbleseed and its partners continue this work under the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative. Note: they are at capacity for interested producers for 2026. Details: [marbleseed.org](https://marbleseed.org/programs/advancing-markets-for-producers).


This multistate project plans to enroll field crop farmers already engaged in organic grain production or desiring to transition to organic systems. Each participating farmer would&#x2004;receive an enrollment incentive for the duration of the project that would compensate them for their time, farming expenses, implementing climate-smart agriculture practices like cover crops and diverse crop rotations, attending regional Grower Summits, assisting with monitoring greenhouse gas benefits on their farm, and working with Field Service Coordinators.


Each producer would also work with field service coordinators and marketers to develop an Individual Marketing Plan, aimed at promoting the commodities that they are producing.



Update (2026): Marbleseed and its partners continue this work under the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative. Note: they are at capacity for interested producers for 2026. Details: marbleseed.org.

This multistate project plans to enroll field crop farmers already engaged in organic grain production or desiring to transition to organic systems. Each participating farmer would receive an enrollment incentive for the duration of the project that would compensate them for their time, farming expenses, implementing climate-smart agriculture practices like cover crops and diverse crop rotations, attending regional Grower Summits, assisting with monitoring greenhouse gas benefits on their farm, and working with Field Service Coordinators.

Each producer would also work with field service coordinators and marketers to develop an Individual Marketing Plan, aimed at promoting the commodities that they are producing.

Marbleseed has not yet published its eligibility rules. In its own words: "More information, including enrollment and eligibility requirements, will be posted on this page as they are developed."

And for the moment there is nothing to enroll in anyway: "We are at capacity for interested producers for 2026."

What the page does establish about who this is for:
- Individual producers, enrolled through Marbleseed — not a public application round. The project "will engage organic grain producers and producers looking to transition to organic production," and each participant is paired with a field service coordinator. You start by filling out the organic grain interest form, after which "You'll be contacted by a Marbleseed staff member."
- You must be growing grain or field crops, and either already certified organic or working toward it. The project "intentionally centers National Organic Program (NOP) regulations and Organic System Plans (OSPs) as the primary framework for technical assistance and producer compensation," and the incentive is framed around "the expenses associated with maintaining organic certification and continuous improvement associated with organic certification" — so certification, or a credible transition to it, is the practical test.
- Geography is the project's 14-state footprint: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky.

No acreage minimum, income limit, years-of-experience requirement, tenure or ownership test, or beginning/veteran/socially-disadvantaged restriction is published. One interaction worth knowing if you already use NRCS cost-share: "project funds will not be used to pay for or duplicate NRCS-defined practices, cost-share programs, or implementation expenses," so this is meant to sit alongside those, not replace them.

Your actual next step is to ask. Contact Mercedes Talvitie, mercedes.talvitie@marbleseed.org, 888-906-6737 x707, to be told whether you would qualify and when the next enrollment opens.

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

Grant

Wheat

Grains

Specialty Crops

Organic Crops

Durum Wheat

Hard Red Spring Wheat

Aloe Leaves

Blackberries

Fruits

Honey

Horticulture

Mamey Sapote

Maple Syrup

Mustard Greens

Parsnips

Passion Fruit

Pineapples

Plantains

Pummelos

Raspberries

Rutabagas

Tree Nuts

Vegetables

Abiu

Achachairu

Antidesma

Apples

Apricots

Bananas

Barbados Cherry

Blueberries

Breadfruit

Cacao

Caimito

Calabaza Melon

Canary Melon

Canary Seed

Caneberries

Canistel

Cantaloupes

Casaba Melon

Cherries

Chinese Bitter Melon

Chokeberry

Citron

Citron Melon

Coconuts

Cranberries

Crenshaw Melon

Custard Apple

Dates

Dragon Fruit

Durian

Elderberries

Figs

Genip

Goji

Gooseberries

Grapefruit

Grapes

Guava

Guavaberry

Honeyberries

Honeydew

Huckleberries

Israel Melons

Jack Fruit

Jujube

Juneberries

Kiwiberry

Kiwifruit

Korean Golden Melon

Kumquats

Langsat

Lemons

Limequats

Limes

Longan

Loquats

Lychee

Mangos

Mangosteen

Mayhaw Berries

Mesple

Mulberries

Nectarines

Oranges

Papaya

Passion Fruits

Pawpaw

Peaches

Pears

Pineapple

Plantain

Plumcots

Plums

Pomegranates

Prunes

Pummelo

Raisins

Rambutan

Sapodilla

Sapote

Schizandra Berries

Soursop

Sprite Melon

Star Fruit

Star Gooseberry

Strawberries

Sugar Apple

Tangelos

Tangerines

Tangors

Wampee

Watermelon

Wax Jamboo Fruit

Winter Melon

Apiary

Anise

Basil

Cassava

Chia

Cinnamon

Ground Cherry

Wine

Cilantro

Boston Lettuce

Green Leaf Lettuce

Iceberg Lettuce

Lolla Rossa Lettuce

Oak Leaf Lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce

Romaine Lettuce

Dry Onions

Green Onions

Bell Peppers

Potato Seeds

Processing Potatoes

Russet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Zucchini

Turnip Top

Row Crops

No award amount, payment rate, or cost-share percentage is published on the program page.

Marbleseed states only that "Each participating producer will receive an enrollment incentive for the project's duration that will cost-share the expenses associated with maintaining organic certification and continuous improvement associated with organic certification."

What the incentive does and does not cover is spelled out: payments "support producer-led organic systems planning, documentation, and decision-making required for organic certification, transition, or market expansion, rather than prescriptive practice installation or engineering standards," and "project funds will not be used to pay for or duplicate NRCS-defined practices, cost-share programs, or implementation expenses." So this stacks alongside, not on top of, NRCS cost-share.

The project runs three years, and participants also work with field service coordinators on technical assistance and an individual marketing plan at no charge.

Before you plan around this: "We are at capacity for interested producers for 2026." For the actual incentive schedule, contact Mercedes Talvitie, mercedes.talvitie@marbleseed.org, 888-906-6737 x707.

To be paired with a farmer for mentorship, apply online using this portal.
To apply to be a mentor, apply online using this portal.

Marbleseed General Information

Tay Fatke

Farm Education Manager

The Marbleseed mentorship program empowers organic farmers through one-on-one guidance as they grow their business, seek organic certification, add farm enterprises, hone production skills, balance farm and family, and more.


The mentorship program empowers organic farmers through&#x2004;one-on-one guidance as they grow their business, seek organic certification, add farm enterprises, hone production skills, balance farm and family, and more.


Beginning in January, mentors and mentees work together to set goals for the mentorship year and build a communication system tailored for their individual needs and preferences.

Unlike many internship programs, the mentored farmer is not required to help on the mentor’s farm. Instead, the mentor visits the mentored farmer at least once during the year and is available to communicate and answer questions via phone and email.

Both mentor and mentee receive complimentary registration for two years of the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference, the country’s premier education and networking event about organic agriculture. The pairs begin planning at one conference and wrap up their formal relationship at the following year's conference.

The pair also receives updates throughout the year regarding other organic educational opportunities, such as field days and workshops.



The Marbleseed mentorship program empowers organic farmers through one-on-one guidance as they grow their business, seek organic certification, add farm enterprises, hone production skills, balance farm and family, and more.

The mentorship program empowers organic farmers through one-on-one guidance as they grow their business, seek organic certification, add farm enterprises, hone production skills, balance farm and family, and more.

Beginning in January, mentors and mentees work together to set goals for the mentorship year and build a communication system tailored for their individual needs and preferences.
Unlike many internship programs, the mentored farmer is not required to help on the mentor’s farm. Instead, the mentor visits the mentored farmer at least once during the year and is available to communicate and answer questions via phone and email.
Both mentor and mentee receive complimentary registration for two years of the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference, the country’s premier education and networking event about organic agriculture. The pairs begin planning at one conference and wrap up their formal relationship at the following year's conference.
The pair also receives updates throughout the year regarding other organic educational opportunities, such as field days and workshops.

Mentored Farmers
Applicants must have been operating their farm business for at least one year prior to application date. We have found that farmers at this stage have more experience with basic farming issues and know where they need guidance. 
Mentors
The Marbleseed team matches experienced farmer mentors with a mentee, paired by specialty and proximity to each other’s farms. Mentors receive a stipend for sharing their time and knowledge with a mentee. Additional requirements are listed on the application form.

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

Stewardship

Succession

Certification

Legal & Finance

Marketing

Conservation

Research

Compliance

There is no cash award, cost-share, or payment attached to this program — and none is claimed. What you get is one-on-one time with an experienced organic farmer: "Get 1-on-1 guidance from an experienced organic farmer" to "Learn best practices for your type of organic farming operation," "Develop skills to add a new enterprise to your farm," and "Move your organic farm forward with experienced guidance."

No award ceiling, rate, cost-share percentage, participation fee, stipend, or commitment term is published on the program page. Marbleseed does not state a cost to mentees either. Applications are rolling — the page says only "Marbleseed offers various opportunities to learn directly from experienced farmers. We add new opportunities as they become available."

The related Organic Dairy Coaching track is likewise in-kind: coaches "offer personalized, one-on-one technical assistance" by phone, email, virtual meeting, or on-farm visit, and mentees contact coaches directly from published profiles. One coach describes the flexibility plainly: "My mentorship is what you want it to be."

Worth applying for if you want expertise and accountability, not capital. For dollars, pair it with a cost-share or equipment program.

Apply online. Application deadlines: December 12, 2025 (Spanish-language applicants) and February 16, 2026 (English-language applicants, extended). Applicants should not register for the conference until they have heard back, as scholarship announcements are communicated after the deadline.

Marbleseed — Organic Farming Conference Registration

The Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference Scholarship covers Organic Farming Conference registration for farmers. Adults pay $50 each day; kids ages 3–17 receive free admission. Travel, lodging, and meals are not included in the scholarship.



The program welcomes farmers of all backgrounds. Priority consideration goes to beginning farmers, veterans, historically underserved farmers, those who have not attended the conference before, and those for whom the cost is a financial barrier.

Education

Beginning Farmers

Socially Disadvantaged

Veterans

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Historically Underserved

The scholarship covers conference registration only ($50/day for adults; free for kids ages 3–17). Travel, lodging, and meals are not included.

List of Marbleseed Funding Opportunities