Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for extension.

1. Review the grant application guidelines
2. Fill out the application cover page and budget forms in detail per the guidelines
3. Develop your business/project plan per the information provided in the guidelines
4. Submit the completed forms and business/project plan by email by the deadline 

Jaime Smith

The Farm Reinvestment Grants provides matching funds to Connecticut farms to expand, diversify, and improve existing working farms through projects with a lifespan of 10 years or more. The Farm Reinvestment Grant is funded through bond authorizations of the State of Connecticut. 


Below are funding priorities of the Farm Reinvestment Grant as they directly relate and respond to enhancing existing agricultural operations and provide a stimulus to the local and state economies.

1. Constructing new agricultural production facilities for existing farms;

2. Projects which dramatically improve the operation’s cash flow;

3. Diversification into new production areas;

4. Expansion of existing production facilities via capital improvements;

5. Strengthening agricultural infrastructure to adapt to climatic changes;

6. Investing in infrastructure for existing and emerging food safety requirements. 



The Farm Reinvestment Grants provides matching funds to Connecticut farms to expand, diversify, and improve existing working farms through projects with a lifespan of 10 years or more. The Farm Reinvestment Grant is funded through bond authorizations of the State of Connecticut. 

Below are funding priorities of the Farm Reinvestment Grant as they directly relate and respond to enhancing existing agricultural operations and provide a stimulus to the local and state economies.
1. Constructing new agricultural production facilities for existing farms;
2. Projects which dramatically improve the operation’s cash flow;
3. Diversification into new production areas;
4. Expansion of existing production facilities via capital improvements;
5. Strengthening agricultural infrastructure to adapt to climatic changes;
6. Investing in infrastructure for existing and emerging food safety requirements. 

The following entities are eligible to apply for the Farm Reinvestment Grant:
1. Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agricultural production facilities located within the State of Connecticut;
To qualify for the Farm Reinvestment Grant the applicant must be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, possess a Farmer’s Tax Exemption Permit, have submitted a Schedule F, Form 1120S, or Schedule C for the previous three years.
Prior grantees may apply for a Farm Reinvestment Grant. However, past awards and corresponding project completion will be taken into consideration.

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

Grant

HVAC

Lighting

Greenhouse

Buildings

Fencing

Repairs

Construction

Storage

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Regenerative

Certification

Carbon Capture

Wildlife Habitats

Soil Health

Cover Crops

Grazing & Grass-Fed

Organic

Strip-Till

No-Till

Marketing

Facilities

Public Health

Compliance

Is there an applicant match involved? 

Yes, a 50% cash match, or a 1:1 match, must be provide by the applicant. This means if your total project has a cost of $20,000 the applicant must provide at least $10,000 and a maximum of $10,000 could be awarded by the FTG.

If I apply by the deadline does it mean I'll be funded?

No. This is a very competitive grant program. Applications are evaluated by a team of reviewers and is primarily based on the business/project plan. More information on the evaluation criteria can be found in the application guidelines.        

How is the grant money paid to someone who's been awarded? 

Grant funds are paid after the project is successfully completed, a final financial report outlining all expenses associated with the project have been received and approved, a final project report has been received and approved, and site inspection by agency staff is conducted.  For any building a certificate of occupancy must be obtained as well. 

Melissa L. Adams

The Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) provides business planning and technical assistance to help established farms identify strategies to increase farm viability such as, new or expanded enterprises, increased productivity, marketing, and/or environmental sustainability. Participants selected to participate in the program may be offered grant funds of $50,000 to $150,000 to implement strategies identified during the planning process in return for signing an agricultural covenant on the farm property to keep it in agricultural use for a 5 or 10 or 15-year term. Eligible uses of funds are capital projects on the farm such as building or repairing barns, farmstands or other agricultural buildings, modernizing equipment, or improving food processing capacity.



Farm operations must have been in active use by the current operator for at least the three previous years and have generated at least $10,000 in gross farm income, as shown on Schedule F or Form 1120, or other relevant tax statements from the most recent tax year to be eligible to apply. Farms must own at least 5 acres of land currently in active agricultural production. Farms must intend to keep their land in continued agricultural use and the property to be put under covenant through the program must be unencumbered by any other restrictions on the deed.

- FAQs
- Request for Written Approval form for prior FVEP participants

Equipment

The covenant is a deed restriction prohibiting any uses on the farm except agricultural uses. The covenant is recorded at the registry of deeds and prohibits activities detrimental to the agricultural use of the land for a specific term, either five, ten, or fifteen years. Rights retained by landowners include the right to privacy and to carry out regular agricultural practices, to maintain the farm in its present condition, and to construct or place temporary structures for agricultural uses. Prohibited uses include construction or placement of non-agriculturally related temporary or permanent structures, and non-agricultural uses on the land. Prior written approval may be requested for certain agricultural structures or uses that do not derogate from the intent of the covenant.

If selected for Phase I of the program, farmers must agree to participate in a business planning process intended to help them increase the economic viability of their farm. Participants receive assistance to develop a business plan or business plan update including financial projections. Additional technical assistance may also be available. This process usually takes about 5 or 6 months. Upon approval of a completed plan by the Department, the farm may be eligible to move to Phase II of the program to receive a grant for eligible capital projects identified in the plan intended to increase farm viability in return for placing land under a short-term a covenant to keep it in agricultural use. 

Application forms are available from the department, agricultural education instructors, and county extension agents, or can be downloaded here. Applications must be approved by the local loan committee, with final approval determined by the Montana Department of Agriculture Loan Committee. A written summary of past experience or education relating to the proposed project must accompany the application. A map showing directions to the applicant's farm or ranch is also required with the application.

Walt Anseth

The Montana Junior Agriculture Loan Program was developed to assist and encourage members of agricultural youth organizations in financing agricultural projects. Projects can involve crop and livestock production, custom farming, marketing and distribution, processing, and other financially feasible activities. Loans are made from the assets of the Agricultural Finance Program. Program support and technical assistance are provided by the [Montana State University Extension Service](http://www.msuextension.org/), Montana agricultural educators, and private financial institutions.


By providing financial encouragement to young men and women to establish and expand agricultural projects, the program aims to:

- Foster the interest of young people in agriculture, thereby preserving Montana's agricultural future;

- Provide financial experience and training through personal involvement;

- Build experience and equity in agriculture to provide a foundation for future vocations; and

- Provide support to Montana agriculture education and Extension Service youth programs.



The Montana Junior Agriculture Loan Program was developed to assist and encourage members of agricultural youth organizations in financing agricultural projects. Projects can involve crop and livestock production, custom farming, marketing and distribution, processing, and other financially feasible activities. Loans are made from the assets of the Agricultural Finance Program. Program support and technical assistance are provided by the Montana State University Extension Service, Montana agricultural educators, and private financial institutions.

By providing financial encouragement to young men and women to establish and expand agricultural projects, the program aims to:
- Foster the interest of young people in agriculture, thereby preserving Montana's agricultural future;
- Provide financial experience and training through personal involvement;
- Build experience and equity in agriculture to provide a foundation for future vocations; and
- Provide support to Montana agriculture education and Extension Service youth programs.

Active members of FFA, 4-H and other recognized agricultural youth organizations are eligible for this program. The Montana Department of Agriculture may also make direct loans to youths unable to participate as members of such organizations. Parents or guardians must be willing to cooperate with prospective borrowers and have ample facilities available to provide for the project. Applicants should be between the ages of nine and 21, Montana residents, and citizens of the United States.

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

Loan

- Montana Junior Agriculture Loan Program: Loan Terms & Application
- Montana Junior Agriculture Loan Program: Application Instructions & Forms

Cash Rent

Business Plan

Refinancing

Transition

Stewardship

Trade Relief

Succession

The amount of a loan depends on the project, but cannot exceed $3,500 for applicants ages 9-11, or $8,500 for applicants ages 12-21. Applicants may refinance loans, providing they still qualify and do not exceed the $8,500 maximum. More than one family member may qualify for individual loans. Individuals may borrow up to 90% of the total first year cost of a project. Loan repayments periods can be one to five years, depending on the project. Payments are usually made annually. Additional terms, as well as information about the Local Loan Committee, are detailed below under the Loan Terms & Application tab, or download the Montana Junior Agriculture Loan Program Loan Terms & Application.

You will need to provide the following items as part of the online proposal application:
- Application signoff page (see online information)
- Project title and brief project description (max of 160 characters)
- Project summary (maximum of 250 words)
- Proposal narrative
- Proposed budget and budget narrative
- Project personnel listing along with curriculum vitas (cv) of PI and co-PI’s, limited to 2 pages per cv (note that cvs are not needed for farmer participants or other cooperators unless acting as co-PI); upload the 2-page cvs as PDF files.
- Program logic model (one page - upload as separate pdf file)
- Letter(s) of collaboration should be uploaded as PDF files from the lead cooperator at each organization receiving a subcontract on the grant. Note that we do NOT ask for or want general letters of support on these applications.

Rob Myers

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Professional Development Grant Program supports state professional development programs and competitive grants for training agricultural professionals.


Professional Development Program (PDP) competitive grants emphasize training agricultural educators in extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, private, and not-for-profit sectors, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. Applicants are educators who often represent but are not limited to, Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and non-profit groups. PDP competitive grants are awarded for state and multi-state PDP projects that emphasize cross-agency training, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. 



The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Professional Development Grant Program supports state professional development programs and competitive grants for training agricultural professionals.

Professional Development Program (PDP) competitive grants emphasize training agricultural educators in extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, private, and not-for-profit sectors, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. Applicants are educators who often represent but are not limited to, Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and non-profit groups. PDP competitive grants are awarded for state and multi-state PDP projects that emphasize cross-agency training, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. 

Labor

NC AgVentures is a Cooperative Extension program that provides grants to North Carolina independent family farms, and community organizations that work with family farms to develop new and innovative agricultural projects which will increase farm profits. This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their operation.



Family farms and community organizations working with farmers in the following counties are eligible to apply: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Forsyth, Gaston, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Iredell, Johnson, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklenburg, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, Wilkes, Warren, and Yadkin.

Events

Diversification

Distribution

Legal & Finance

To receive application materials: 
1. You must download and install a version of Adobe Reader compatible with Grants.gov to access, complete, and submit applications. For basic system requirements and download instructions, see Adobe Software Compatibility. 
2. Grants.gov has a test package that will help you determine whether your current version of Adobe Reader is compatible. 
3. To obtain the application package from Grants.gov, go to Search for Opportunity Package and enter the funding opportunity number where appropriate. 

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-ICGP-007872 

Click “Search.” On the displayed page, click the corresponding link to continue. A Grant Application Package is tied to a particular funding opportunity. You may move forms among different Grant Application Packages, but you may ONLY submit an application to the particular funding opportunity to which the Grant Application Package is associated. 

Contained within the application package is the “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.” This guide contains an introduction and general Grants.gov instructions, information 17 about how to use a Grant Application Package in Grants.gov, and instructions on how to complete the application forms.

Grants.gov Customer support

Mathieu Ngouajio

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research, education and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the [USDA National Organic Program](http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop) for organic production standards. 



The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research, education and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program for organic production standards. 

Applications may only be submitted by the following entities:
1. State agricultural experiment stations;
2. Colleges and universities; 
3. University research foundations; 
4. Other research institutions and organizations; 
5. Federal agencies; 
6. National laboratories; 
7. Private organizations, foundations, or corporations; 
8. Individuals who are United States citizens or nationals; or 
9. A group consisting of two or more of the entities described in subparagraphs(1) through (8).

Trials

Conservation

Research

In accordance with 7 U.S.C. 5925b(c), if an OREI program grant provides a particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, the grant recipient is required to match the USDA funds awarded on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources with cash and/or in-kind contributions. (See Part IV, B., 6. for details.) 

NIFA may waive the matching funds requirement for a grant if NIFA determines that: (1) the results of the project, while of particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or (2) the project involves a minor commodity, the project deals with scientifically important research, and the grant recipient is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.

List of Agricultural Funding for Extension

Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Grant

Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP)

Montana Junior Agriculture Loan Program

North Central SARE Professional Development Grant

NC AgVentures Grant Program

Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)