Washington State Organic and Sustainable Farming Fund

Tilth Alliance will be accepting applications by farmers seeking financial assistance to support projects that will improve the economic viability, social impacts, or environmental sustainability of their farm businesses. The goal of this grant program is to enhance the operations of farmers practicing responsible and progressive methods such as sustainable soil management, crop diversification, habitat preservation, climate change mitigation and environmentally-safe waste management practices.  

Grant funds are available for projects that will improve environmental, sustainable, social and economic impacts to farm businesses, through actions that will create a new revenue stream, improve quality of life, improve operations, or increase sustainability.

This grant program is a single year grant, running May-January. At this time, multi-year grants are not available. Note that an individual farm business is not eligible to receive more than $20,000 over a five-year period. This grant program is open to all Washington State farmers who:

• Currently employ or are adopting practices that follow regenerative, sustainable, and/or organic principles (this includes conventional farms that are transitioning into organic, sustainable, or regenerative production). 

• Have been in business for at least two years.

• Are seeking to improve and/or expand their operation, improve environmental impacts, or become a more sustainable business. 

Priority given to:

• Projects that enhance and measure carbon sequestration, restore soil health, utilize cover crops, preserve and create habitats, increase biodiversity, and employ environmentally safe waste management practices. 

• Conventional farmers who want to transition to organic, sustainable, or regenerative practices. 

• Projects that involve resource sharing and community impact (i.e. Can more than one farm benefit from the project?, Will you be able to share research, knowledge, and resources acquired through the grant with others?)

• Previous grantees are eligible to apply but priority will be given to new applicants (see eligibility requirements above). 

Grant requests can be made up to $10,000. Proposals should have objectives that are realistically achievable with this level of funding in a 9-month period (May-January). The total granted amount must be spent by January 31st of the following year. The amount granted (whether in part or in full) will depend on proposed uses and need of applicant pool. Multi-year projects or those exceeding the maximum allowed request will not be funded. Tilth Alliance recognizes the importance of multi-year projects but cannot guarantee funding for projects beyond a single year.

If the proposal includes equipment costs, applicant must justify the expense and explain why equipment sharing is not a viable alternative.

To Apply:

1. Complete the grant application form, which is a single document containing both a cover sheet and narrative description components. 

   • The successful application will provide a clear rationale for the project and demonstrate a significant need for the proposed project. It is important that the objectives for your project be clear, well-structured and succinct. Demonstrate why your project is necessary, present measurable outcomes, and explain specifically what you hope to accomplish with the funds within the project period.

2. Obtain two letters of support from agricultural peers, mentors, educators, or community organizations, to be submitted with your application as a single document by email or mail to the addresses listed below. Letters should directly reference the applicant name and farm name.

3. Submit completed application, including the grant application form and the two letters of support, as a single document by email or mail to the addresses listed below. 

   • Failure to submit application as a single document (Word, PDF, or by mail) could result in disqualification of your application.

To submit your application, there are two options: email or mail.

• To email the application materials, send your proposal as a single Word of PDF attachment to applications@tilthalliance.org with the subject line "WSOSFF Grant Proposal".

  • Note: Tilth Alliance will not accept proposals submitted in the body of an email. Failure to submit proposal as a single document could disqualify proposal

• Or, mail application materials to:

Tilth Alliance

Attn: Grant Applications

4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 100

Seattle, WA 98103

• FAQ

• Grant Application (MS Word)

• Program Page