Browse Ambrook’s collection of educations for agricultural operations.

The Agriculture Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) is a transformative program funded by the USDA 2501 grant, dedicated to empowering underserved farmers. Our mission is to provide vital resources and support to those who need it&#x2004;most, fostering a new era of agricultural leadership and innovation.


**Who is this program for? **

ALDI is designed to equip underserved farmers as defined by the USDA\*\* with the tools they need to succeed, including grant writing assistance, advocacy training, networking opportunities, leadership development, and community building. By offering these essential services, we aim to bridge the gap in access to resources and create a more equitable agricultural landscape.

Our program not only helps farmers navigate the complexities of modern agriculture but also challenges them to shift the narrative and embrace forward-thinking approaches. Through ALDI, farmers are encouraged to lead with confidence, advocate for their needs, and build lasting networks that drive collective success.

Join us in our mission to reshape the future of agriculture and support those who are poised to make a significant impact. Your contribution to ALDI will help cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders and strengthen the fabric of our farming communities.



The Agriculture Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) is a transformative program funded by the USDA 2501 grant, dedicated to empowering underserved farmers. Our mission is to provide vital resources and support to those who need it most, fostering a new era of agricultural leadership and innovation.

Who is this program for? 
ALDI is designed to equip underserved farmers as defined by the USDA** with the tools they need to succeed, including grant writing assistance, advocacy training, networking opportunities, leadership development, and community building. By offering these essential services, we aim to bridge the gap in access to resources and create a more equitable agricultural landscape.
Our program not only helps farmers navigate the complexities of modern agriculture but also challenges them to shift the narrative and embrace forward-thinking approaches. Through ALDI, farmers are encouraged to lead with confidence, advocate for their needs, and build lasting networks that drive collective success.
Join us in our mission to reshape the future of agriculture and support those who are poised to make a significant impact. Your contribution to ALDI will help cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders and strengthen the fabric of our farming communities.

ALDI is designed to equip underserved farmers as defined by the USDA** with the tools they need to succeed, including grant writing assistance, advocacy training, networking opportunities, leadership development, and community building. By offering these essential services, we aim to bridge the gap in access to resources and create a more equitable agricultural landscape.

**Four groups are defined by USDA as “Historically Underserved,” including farmers or ranchers who are: 
- Beginning
- Socially Disadvantaged
- Veterans
- Limited Resource 
The USDA defines socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) as those belonging to groups that have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice. SDFRs include farmers who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian or Pacific Islander. For some but not all USDA programs, the SDFR category also includes women.

Education

Stewardship

Beginning Farmers

Socially Disadvantaged

Veterans

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Historically Underserved

Legal & Finance

Stay updated by signing up for the project's newsletter here.

Visit the program website for contact information.

This project will expand climate-smart markets for beef and implement climate-smart grazing practices in beef production for 120 operations across 13 states, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing market returns for participants. The project will use IPCC Tier 1 approach to estimating methane.


Also, will use N2O & methane from soil & manure, soil carbon density & look at remote sensing methods while grazing forages and&#x2004;crop residues. The project plans to track cattle through the supply chain.


A few partners will be engaged to provide climate-smart corn, wheat and other grain residue for finishing the cattle. The project will pay premium prices which will result in additional revenue to producers based on the climate-smart practices implemented to grow the beef cattle.


75% of participants are projected to be small to mid-sized family operations including 35 small producers & 700,000 acres managed by Tribal producers.



This project will expand climate-smart markets for beef and implement climate-smart grazing practices in beef production for 120 operations across 13 states, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing market returns for participants. The project will use IPCC Tier 1 approach to estimating methane.

Also, will use N2O & methane from soil & manure, soil carbon density & look at remote sensing methods while grazing forages and crop residues. The project plans to track cattle through the supply chain.

A few partners will be engaged to provide climate-smart corn, wheat and other grain residue for finishing the cattle. The project will pay premium prices which will result in additional revenue to producers based on the climate-smart practices implemented to grow the beef cattle.

75% of participants are projected to be small to mid-sized family operations including 35 small producers & 700,000 acres managed by Tribal producers.

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

Grant

Beef

Has your farm been impacted by a disaster? Use the USDA's Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool to find financial assistance in your area.		



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

Loan

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

Cost Share

- Disaster Assistance Fact sheet (PDF)
- USDA Loan Assistance Tool

Coronavirus

Fencing

Trade Relief

Trees

Weather

Wildfire

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Emergency

See the most recent Request For Applications for instructions on how to apply.

Reinvestment Fund

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) provides loans, grants, and technical assistance resources to improve and&#x2004;support access to fresh, healthy, affordable food in urban and rural underserved communities. HFFI is using additional USDA-allocated American Rescue Plan Act resources to expand its services and reach. With an additional $30 million in available grants, the Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Program – which focuses on improving access to capital and capacity building – is the first funding opportunity available under this expanded initiative. Visit [www.investinginfood.com](http://www.investinginfood.com) for more information.


HFFI offers three program opportunities. The [FARE Fund](https://www.investinginfood.com/fare-fund/), the [Planning Grant Program](https://www.investinginfood.com/planning-grant), and the [Partnership Program](https://www.investinginfood.com/partnerships-program). 



The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) provides loans, grants, and technical assistance resources to improve and support access to fresh, healthy, affordable food in urban and rural underserved communities. HFFI is using additional USDA-allocated American Rescue Plan Act resources to expand its services and reach. With an additional $30 million in available grants, the Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Program – which focuses on improving access to capital and capacity building – is the first funding opportunity available under this expanded initiative. Visit www.investinginfood.com for more information.

HFFI offers three program opportunities. The FARE Fund, the Planning Grant Program, and the Partnership Program. 

For-profit businesses, cooperative businesses, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments and governmental agencies will be eligible to apply.
The program will support projects aiming to strengthen, expand, and innovate within the food retail supply chain. The program could assist a variety of organizations, business models, and capital needs of ventures that process, distribute, aggregate, market, and sell healthy, fresh, and affordable foods to underserved communities and markets. Projects must demonstrate how their proposed project will contribute to food access through the availability of staple and perishable foods for retail sale.
To be eligible for assistance, applicants must propose a project that:
1. Plans to expand or preserve the availability of staple and perishable foods in underserved areas with low and moderate-income populations; and
2. If the project involves retail sales, accepts benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 USC 2011 et. Seq.)
To be eligible for financial or technical assistance through America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative, applicants must propose a project in an underserved area. Use the interactive map on this page to determine if your project’s proposed location qualifies as underserved.

- RFA Info Session Webinar- Recording
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Online Grants Portal Registration and Application Guide

Local Food

Nutrition & Food Safety

Farmers Market

The fast-growing urban agriculture phenomena has sparked hope in cities, communities, and suburban locations across the country. This excitement has reproduced many forms of agriculture projects in urban communities including urban farms, community gardens, hydroponics, etc. As a result, urban agriculture is providing so many community benefits in food insecure communities as well as urban communities everywhere. This program provides education to urban as&#x2004;well as rural communities on various urban agriculture farming.


Programs:

- Agribusiness Planning

- Topics: Business Plan Creation, Marketing, Licensing, Laws, Formation, Budgeting

- **Starting Farmers Market**

- Topics: Certifications and Licenses, Food Safety, Vendors, Market Manager, Operating Procedures

- **Community and School Garden**

- Topics: How to start a garden Guide. Build a team, Site selection, Designing, planting chart, Managing chart

- **Backyard/ Pasture Poultry**

- Topics: Poultry Health, Feeding, Coop design, Raising Broilers, Raising Layers, Free Ranging, County/ City Laws, Marketing Poultry Products, Poultry Waste

- **Aquaponics/ Hydroponics Development**

- Topics: Types of Systems, Systems management, Marketing Aquaponics/ Hydroponics, Water/Nutrient Testing, Safety, Aqua-Culture, lighting

- **Roof top Farming**

- Topics: Installation, Production Yield calculator, Water catchment, Types of systems, Permitting

- **Greenhouse/High Tunnel Urban Farm**

- Topics: Construction, Maintenance, Styles of Greenhouses, Heating/Cooling, USDA High Tunnel Program Info

- **Pollinator Gardens**

- Topics: Alternative Pollinators, Types of Pollinators, Introduction to Pollinators




The fast-growing urban agriculture phenomena has sparked hope in cities, communities, and suburban locations across the country. This excitement has reproduced many forms of agriculture projects in urban communities including urban farms, community gardens, hydroponics, etc. As a result, urban agriculture is providing so many community benefits in food insecure communities as well as urban communities everywhere. This program provides education to urban as well as rural communities on various urban agriculture farming.

Programs:
- Agribusiness Planning
- Topics: Business Plan Creation, Marketing, Licensing, Laws, Formation, Budgeting
- Starting Farmers Market
- Topics: Certifications and Licenses, Food Safety, Vendors, Market Manager, Operating Procedures
- Community and School Garden
- Topics: How to start a garden Guide. Build a team, Site selection, Designing, planting chart, Managing chart
- Backyard/ Pasture Poultry
- Topics: Poultry Health, Feeding, Coop design, Raising Broilers, Raising Layers, Free Ranging, County/ City Laws, Marketing Poultry Products, Poultry Waste
- Aquaponics/ Hydroponics Development
- Topics: Types of Systems, Systems management, Marketing Aquaponics/ Hydroponics, Water/Nutrient Testing, Safety, Aqua-Culture, lighting
- Roof top Farming
- Topics: Installation, Production Yield calculator, Water catchment, Types of systems, Permitting
- Greenhouse/High Tunnel Urban Farm
- Topics: Construction, Maintenance, Styles of Greenhouses, Heating/Cooling, USDA High Tunnel Program Info
- Pollinator Gardens
- Topics: Alternative Pollinators, Types of Pollinators, Introduction to Pollinators


- Pollinators
- NRCS Program Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
- New Farmers Get Started Factsheet 2020
- High Tunnel System Initiative
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative
- Backyard Poultry Start-Up Guide
- Backyard Pond
- USDA Mulching
- Pest Management
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Mulching


Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Certified Organic

Food Systems

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.



The&#x2004;sage grouse, a chicken-like bird uniquely adapted to this habitat, is the poster child of the sagebrush country and is best known for its early-morning dance during mating season.

Large-scale conversion of native rangelands to cultivated fields, housing and energy developments, invading conifers, and catastrophic wildfires have fragmented this vital landscape, reducing its size by half. And many species, including the sage grouse, have seen substantial declines from historic numbers as a result.

Stewardship-minded ranchers are helping reverse this decline by conserving and enhancing sagebrush habitat. And their conservation practices benefit more than just wildlife. They are improving the long-term sustainability of their grazing lands. As the saying goes, “what’s good for the bird is good for the herd.”


NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to help ranchers voluntarily conserve sage grouse habitat on private lands. This assistance helps producers plan and implement a variety of conservation activities, or practices, that benefit the bird and agricultural operations.



The sage grouse, a chicken-like bird uniquely adapted to this habitat, is the poster child of the sagebrush country and is best known for its early-morning dance during mating season.
Large-scale conversion of native rangelands to cultivated fields, housing and energy developments, invading conifers, and catastrophic wildfires have fragmented this vital landscape, reducing its size by half. And many species, including the sage grouse, have seen substantial declines from historic numbers as a result.
Stewardship-minded ranchers are helping reverse this decline by conserving and enhancing sagebrush habitat. And their conservation practices benefit more than just wildlife. They are improving the long-term sustainability of their grazing lands. As the saying goes, “what’s good for the bird is good for the herd.”

NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to help ranchers voluntarily conserve sage grouse habitat on private lands. This assistance helps producers plan and implement a variety of conservation activities, or practices, that benefit the bird and agricultural operations.

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Conservation

Are you interested in becoming involved in the TOPP network? Let us know using one of the following forms:
- General Interest Form
- Transitioning Producer (Mentee) Application
- Mentor Application

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations who are&#x2004;partnering with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. AMS is building partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.

The partner organizations will:

- Connect transitioning farmers with mentors for at least one year after certification.

- Build paid mentoring networks to share practical insights and advice.

- Provide community building opportunities to include:

    - Train-the-mentor support

    - Technical assistance

    - Workshops and field days covering topics including organic production practices, certification, conservation planning, business development (including navigating the supply chain), regulations, and marketing

- Help producers overcome technical, cultural, and financial shifts during and following certification.

- Engage educational and training institutions (including crop advisors and extension agents) on organic workforce training and education and future human capital planning. 

Over time, technical assistance resources will be made available to all candidate and existing organic farmers through the USDA website.

TOPP is a collaborative effort involving many partners working together towards a common goal. The TOPP partnership network covers six regions: the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Plains, Northwest, and West/Southwest. Organizations in these regions are actively forming partnerships to serve transitioning and existing organic farmers. TOPP regions are set geographically and form a mix of states that are well-represented in organic and states that are currently underserved. Additional partners will be added as the initiative unfolds, as it will take more time to identify partners that have been traditionally under-represented in organic.



The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations who are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. AMS is building partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.
The partner organizations will:
- Connect transitioning farmers with mentors for at least one year after certification.
- Build paid mentoring networks to share practical insights and advice.
- Provide community building opportunities to include:
    - Train-the-mentor support
    - Technical assistance
    - Workshops and field days covering topics including organic production practices, certification, conservation planning, business development (including navigating the supply chain), regulations, and marketing
- Help producers overcome technical, cultural, and financial shifts during and following certification.
- Engage educational and training institutions (including crop advisors and extension agents) on organic workforce training and education and future human capital planning. 
Over time, technical assistance resources will be made available to all candidate and existing organic farmers through the USDA website.
TOPP is a collaborative effort involving many partners working together towards a common goal. The TOPP partnership network covers six regions: the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Plains, Northwest, and West/Southwest. Organizations in these regions are actively forming partnerships to serve transitioning and existing organic farmers. TOPP regions are set geographically and form a mix of states that are well-represented in organic and states that are currently underserved. Additional partners will be added as the initiative unfolds, as it will take more time to identify partners that have been traditionally under-represented in organic.

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

Discount

- Interactive TOPP map with state-by-state partner listings
    - Use this interactive map to explore the partner organizations located in your state. When you click on an individual state, the map will take you to the page in the document that displays contact information for partners in that state. When you click on a region, you will be taken to the first state, listed alphabetically in that region. In the bottom right corner of the contact information page, there is a link to return to the main map.
- Transitional Production Plan (TPP) (pdf)
- TOPP Fact Sheet (pdf)
- TOPP Success Stories
- Organic Pinpointed Market Development Listening Session
- News Release: Organic Transition Initiative (issued August 22, 2022)
- Transitioning to Organic
- Farmers.gov – Organic Farmers
- Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
- Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP)
- NRCS offers conservation programs
- Whole Farm Revenue Protection
- Micro Farm Program
- Organic Regulations

Succession

Labor

Marketing

Research

Compliance

Visit the Women in Agrifoodtech Directory to connect with women founders in the space.
If you would like to add your own name to the directory fill out the survey here! You may use the same survey to update your information.

Amy Wu

Connie Bowen

Lenders and grantors care as much about a farmer's network and mentors as they do about a farmer's business plan and physical collateral. Ambrook is proud to&#x2004;share the Women in Agrifoodtech Directory which can be found on the Farms to Incubators website. It is a great living resource highlighting the contributions of women in the industry who are open to being great partners and mentors. 

The “Women in Agrifoodtech Directory” is a searchable Airtable directory that lists the names and social media platforms  of women founders and leaders in agrifoodtech in the U.S. and internationally. 

The idea was started in 2018 by Alison Kopf who was motivated by a "stark vacancy of diverse voices on panels and events in our industry and wanted to elevate women to the table, especially when in ag — mostly corporate ag — there are already strong women voices at the top.” Since then, it has extended into a joint team effort by Kopf, Amy Wu of From Farms to Incubators, Connie Bowen, Pam Marrone of Marrone Bio Innovations, Louisa Burwood-Taylor of AgFunder, Danielle Gould of Food+Tech Connect and Sarah Nolet of Tenacious Ventures.

The Directory is intended to be an accessible resource for those seeking to add diverse leaders in agrifoodtech to their events as speakers, to their teams as employees/partners, and to their networks as peers. The initiative is currently being led by Amy Wu and Connie Bowen. 

Wu hopes that "the directory will someday grow to include every woman who works in agrifoodtech in the U.S. and internationally." 

Read more about the directory in a recent [Agfunder article](https://agfundernews.com/list-of-701-women-in-agrifood-is-growing-but-are-we-making-progress).



Lenders and grantors care as much about a farmer's network and mentors as they do about a farmer's business plan and physical collateral. Ambrook is proud to share the Women in Agrifoodtech Directory which can be found on the Farms to Incubators website. It is a great living resource highlighting the contributions of women in the industry who are open to being great partners and mentors. 
The “Women in Agrifoodtech Directory” is a searchable Airtable directory that lists the names and social media platforms  of women founders and leaders in agrifoodtech in the U.S. and internationally. 
The idea was started in 2018 by Alison Kopf who was motivated by a "stark vacancy of diverse voices on panels and events in our industry and wanted to elevate women to the table, especially when in ag — mostly corporate ag — there are already strong women voices at the top.” Since then, it has extended into a joint team effort by Kopf, Amy Wu of From Farms to Incubators, Connie Bowen, Pam Marrone of Marrone Bio Innovations, Louisa Burwood-Taylor of AgFunder, Danielle Gould of Food+Tech Connect and Sarah Nolet of Tenacious Ventures.
The Directory is intended to be an accessible resource for those seeking to add diverse leaders in agrifoodtech to their events as speakers, to their teams as employees/partners, and to their networks as peers. The initiative is currently being led by Amy Wu and Connie Bowen. 
Wu hopes that "the directory will someday grow to include every woman who works in agrifoodtech in the U.S. and internationally." 
Read more about the directory in a recent Agfunder article.

- Direct Link to Women in Agtech Directory
- "A New Searchable Directory Focuses on Women Innovators in Agrifoodtech" — AgFunder

Business Plan

Cash Rent

Refinancing

Transition

Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture

Our Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP) offers a 12-month immersive training experience that combines a comprehensive classroom curriculum with hands-on learning at some of the region’s leading sustainable farms. Applications for 2024 have closed. Applications for 2025 will open&#x2004;in the fall of 2024.


- We offer three training levels, designed to meet the specific needs of beginning farmers at different stages in their careers.

    - [Level 1](https://futureharvest.org/programs/beginner-farmer-training-program/hands-on-days/): Interested in farming but not sure where to start? Get your hands dirty with hands-on events and online classroom learning in this flexible program designed for folks who still work full time

    - [Level 2](https://futureharvest.org/programs/beginner-farmer-training-program/training-farms/): The flagship level of our program, designed for folks who have some on-farm experience build their skills and launch their farm businesses

    - [Level 3](https://futureharvest.org/programs/beginner-farmer-training-program/consultants/): A mentorship program for farmers who have started their businesses and seek targeted support in both production and business 

    - Not sure which level is the best fit?

- All three levels of the BFTP are FREE and trainees receive a host of benefits: annual FHCASA membership, free admission to our popular winter conference and year-round field days.

- Join a diverse, inclusive network of new and experienced farmers! We are committed to building a safe, supportive network for all trainees, free from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, religion, veteran status, military obligations, or marital status.

- This is a region-wide program, open to beginning farmers in MD, VA, DE—including the Delmarva Peninsula—and DC, WV, and PA. We offer in-person farmer-to-farmer training opportunities throughout the Chesapeake region, and classroom requirements are completed online.

- We offer training in diverse operation types, including: vegetables, fruit, cut flowers, herbs, and livestock at urban, peri-urban, and rural farm settings.

- The program is also designed with built-in scheduling flexibility to allow new farmers to further their training while maintaining their own farms or other work.

- Accessibility: We are committed to making the BFTP accessible to all aspiring farmers. While our programs currently best serve folks located within 2 hours of DC or Baltimore or on the Delmarva peninsula, we work to develop custom learning plans for folks across the Chesapeake region. We want to make this work! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.




Our Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP) offers a 12-month immersive training experience that combines a comprehensive classroom curriculum with hands-on learning at some of the region’s leading sustainable farms. Applications for 2024 have closed. Applications for 2025 will open in the fall of 2024.

- We offer three training levels, designed to meet the specific needs of beginning farmers at different stages in their careers.
    - Level 1: Interested in farming but not sure where to start? Get your hands dirty with hands-on events and online classroom learning in this flexible program designed for folks who still work full time
    - Level 2: The flagship level of our program, designed for folks who have some on-farm experience build their skills and launch their farm businesses
    - Level 3: A mentorship program for farmers who have started their businesses and seek targeted support in both production and business 
    - Not sure which level is the best fit?
- All three levels of the BFTP are FREE and trainees receive a host of benefits: annual FHCASA membership, free admission to our popular winter conference and year-round field days.
- Join a diverse, inclusive network of new and experienced farmers! We are committed to building a safe, supportive network for all trainees, free from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, religion, veteran status, military obligations, or marital status.
- This is a region-wide program, open to beginning farmers in MD, VA, DE—including the Delmarva Peninsula—and DC, WV, and PA. We offer in-person farmer-to-farmer training opportunities throughout the Chesapeake region, and classroom requirements are completed online.
- We offer training in diverse operation types, including: vegetables, fruit, cut flowers, herbs, and livestock at urban, peri-urban, and rural farm settings.
- The program is also designed with built-in scheduling flexibility to allow new farmers to further their training while maintaining their own farms or other work.
- Accessibility: We are committed to making the BFTP accessible to all aspiring farmers. While our programs currently best serve folks located within 2 hours of DC or Baltimore or on the Delmarva peninsula, we work to develop custom learning plans for folks across the Chesapeake region. We want to make this work! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.


List of Agricultural Educations