Funding Opportunities

Proposals are due by November 10, 2022.
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education’s Youth Educator Grants support projects by youth educators encouraging youth to try sustainable practices and explore sustainable agriculture as a viable career option. Grants have a $6,000 maximum. This grant is open to professional educators (4-H, FFA, Extension, grade school, high school, community college, college, university, and non-profit organization educators), farmers/ranchers, home-schoolers, etc. who teach youth about sustainable agriculture in the 12-state North Central Region.

Applications are due by November 8, 2022.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting grant applications for a State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) pilot project for the Southern Desert Region of California. California farmers, ranchers, and federally and California-Recognized Native American Indian Tribes within the Southern Desert region are eligible to receive funding up to $200,000 to support use of weather, soil, or plant-based sensors for irrigation scheduling, irrigation system changes, fuel conversion, renewable energy installation, utility interconnections, pump retrofits, or replacements. Projects will be required to reduce on-farm irrigation water use and will have to demonstrate that greenhouse gas emissions from irrigation water pumping will be offset or will not increase following the installation of the project.

Proposals are due November 9, 2022.
The Western SARE Research to Grassroots grant program is intended to incorporate previous SARE research into application for agricultural professionals, farmers, ranchers, and others to increase the overall understanding and proficiency in sustainable agriculture among these groups. Project approaches can include trainings, focus groups, demonstrations, tours, web-based courses, and more. Projects can be up to three years long and the funding maximum is $100,000.

Applications must be received by October 3, 2022.
A tax credit for the sale or lease of land, equipment, machinery, and livestock in Minnesota to beginning farmers is available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority. Qualifying applicants can include individuals, trusts, or qualified pass-through entities renting or selling land, livestock, facilities, buildings or machinery used for farming in Minnesota to a beginning farmer. Three levels of credits are available:
5% of the lesser of the sale price or fair market value of the agricultural asset up to a maximum of $32,000
10% of the gross rental income of each of the first, second and third years of a rental agreement, up to a maximum of $7,000 per year
15% of the cash equivalent of the gross rental income in each of the first, second or third year of a share rent agreement, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year.

Proposals are due November 9, 2022.
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is accepting proposals for its Professional Development Program focused on educating and training agricultural professionals to increase their understanding and proficiency in sustainable agriculture. Projects must improve the ability of agricultural professionals to conduct educational programs and activities in sustainable agriculture principles and systems and to respond to inquiries on the subject from farmers, ranchers, and the public. In a “train the trainer” fashion, this program focuses on increasing knowledge and capacity for agricultural stakeholders to provide further training and information to other agricultural professionals and producers. Projects can be up to three years in length. The funding maximum is $100,000.

Proposals are due November 3, 2022.
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is accepting proposals for its Professional + Producer Grant. This program involves an agricultural technical advisor (main applicant) and collaboration of at least three producers in implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture. Projects must integrate research and education aiming to advance the three components of sustainable agriculture- environmental, economic, and social- and use innovative educational outreach to disseminate new knowledge to producers and other agricultural stakeholders. The maximum grant is $75,000 over a one- to three-year time period.

Applications are due by October 27, 2022.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $1.4 million through the Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant program to Minnesota livestock product processors seeking to start up, modernize, or expand their businesses. The maximum equipment award is $150,000, and the minimum award is $1,000. Applicants must be an individual (including farmers), business, agricultural cooperative, non-profit, educational institution, or a local unit of government (including Tribal Governments). Grantees are responsible for at least 50% of the total cost for the first $50,000 and 75% thereafter.

Applications for both programs are due October 9, 2022.
Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) is accepting applications for its Savings Incentive Program and its new Farm Business Coaching Program. Both require that applicants live or farm in Iowa or bordering counties of adjacent states, and PFI membership is required. The Savings Incentive Program aims to help beginning farmers succeed through mentorship from experienced farmers; business plan support; the chance to save money and receive matching funds; and access to a range of learning events and a network of supportive peers. After 24 months and completion of all program requirements, participants earn a dollar-for-dollar match on money saved, up to $2,400. In 2022, the program is offering additional start-up funds for farmers of color: a $1,000 start-up grant at the beginning of the program and up to $4,800 upon program completion. Farm Business Coaching is a new 14-month program aimed at helping established farmers strengthen their businesses through in-depth expert consultations. Applicants must currently operate a farm business, have at least five years of experience farming on their own and be a direct marketer of local food.

Applications are due by November 1, 2022.
If you are Pennsylvania-based dairy processor who wants to make a processing expansion, improvement or innovation, consider applying for a Dairy Processing Grant through the Center for Dairy Excellence. Dairy processors receiving milk from more than one farm are eligible. Qualifying expenses would be design, planning and implementation costs associated with the improvement project. Grant funding will be a 50% match, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Applications are due October 18, 2022.
First Nations Development Institute offers Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarships to encourage more Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college students to enter agriculture and food systems fields so that they can better assist their communities with their food systems efforts. First Nations will award 20 to 25 scholarships of $1,000 to $1,500 for the 2022-2023 academic school year to Native college students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields.

Proposals are due November 2, 2022.
The Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program focuses on advancing on-farm sustainability solutions by funding innovative producer-driven research and outreach. This grant program involves agricultural producers and technical advisor(s) implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture. Projects with one or two producers may apply for up to $25,000, and projects with three or more producers working together may apply for up to $29,900. With the support and guidance of the technical advisor, producers must integrate research and education to conduct on-site/on-farm experiments to address social, environmental, and economic aspects of agricultural sustainability.

Applications are due by October 31, 2022.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Grants available to co-invest with eligible applicants in impactful and innovative solutions to on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. For the 2022 application period, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects impacting nutrient management in NRCS RCPP Critical Conservation Areas. Up to $40 million is available to make up to seven awards lasting as long as five years. Producer associations, state and local government, farmer cooperatives, and institutions of higher learning are among the eligible applicants.

Applications are due October 28, 2022.
USDA launched the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program to help underserved producers. The program will fund cooperative agreements or grants for projects that help move underserved producers from surviving to thriving. Funding is available to various government entities from local to Tribal, not-for-profit educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. The program focuses on increasing access to farm ownership opportunities, increasing access and improving results for those with heirs’ property or fractionated land, increasing access to markets and capital that affect the ability to access land, and increasing land ownership, land succession, and agricultural business planning.

Applications are due by October 31, 2022.
California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting proposals for the Proactive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Solutions Program. This program supports efforts to anticipate exotic pests likely to arrive in California and to identify and test IPM strategies that can be quickly implemented if the pests are detected. A total of $1 million is available.

Applications are due by October 31, 2022.
California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for its Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Program. This program funds on-farm demonstration and evaluation of innovative, biologically based farming systems that employ integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. A total of $2 million is available. Projects from this program should demonstrate IPM-based alternative pest management options that focus on economical and efficacious biological and cultural pest management techniques that allow growers to maintain yields and quality.

Proposals are due October 20, 2022.
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE) is accepting Partnership Grant Program proposals intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. An Agricultural Professional is the grant applicant and the project coordinator, and three or more farmers are expected to be substantially involved in the project. Projects can last up to 24 months and have a funding maximum of $50,000. Any agriculture/natural resource professional in the 12-state North Central region may apply.

Applications are due by October 6, 2022.
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center has funds available through the On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant to support dairy farmers in the purchase of equipment and other related costs that will improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiencies. Applicants will be able to select from a pre-approved list of eligible equipment, including milk storage tanks, milk pipeline, glycol chillers, milk loading systems, reclaim systems for water, cooling equipment, plate coolers/heat exchangers, and equipment installation costs. Grants are available to applicants in 11 Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Grants will range from $15,000 to $50,000 with a 25% match commitment.

The application period is September 1 – September 30, 2022.
The Center for Dairy Excellence leverages funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide Dairy Excellence Grants to support improvement projects on the farm. If you are approved for the grant, you will receive a 50% match, up to a maximum matching level of $5,000. This grant is for Pennsylvania dairy farms only. The selection committee will award grants based on the impact the project would have on cow comfort and overall milk production, the detail in which the applicant describes the project and its benefits, and the willingness of the applicant to provide requested information.

Pre-proposals are due October 13, 2022.
The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Research and Education (R&E) Grant Program is a competitive grant program for researchers and educators involved in projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems. Research and Education projects include a strong outreach component and significant farmer/rancher or other end-user involvement from the inception of the idea through the implementation of the project. Producers are key participants in grant activities. Typical grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, and projects may last 36 months.

Proposals are due by October 26, 2022.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife species in the Southern Great Plains. The Southern Plains Grassland Program seeks to work closely with nonprofit and government partners and the ranching community to bring important financial and technical resources to improve grassland ecosystem health and resilience to climate change in the Southern Great Plains. These actions will boost the vitality of this often-overlooked ecosystem, providing benefits to wildlife and to rural, ranching-based communities. These actions increase the ability of grasslands to store carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide key benefits to address climate change. The Southern Plains Grassland Program anticipates awarding approximately $1.5 million in grants for projects in Eastern Colorado, Kansas, Southern Nebraska, Northeastern New Mexico, Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle.

Applications are due October 25, 2022.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications from small businesses and small proprietorships that are in business for profit for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs, Phase I (SBIR/STTR). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative R&D between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. Different from most other investors, the USDA SBIR/STTR Programs fund early or “seed” stage research and development that has a commercial potential.

Applications are due October 7, 2022.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program. Three types of grants are offered: one Training and Technical Assistance grant up to $1 million over four years; Planning Projects matching grants up to $35,000 over 36 months; and Community Food Projects matching grants up to $400,000 over four years. Total funding is approximately $4.8 million per year. Private nonprofit entities are eligible to apply for Planning and Community Food Projects. The CFPCGP is intended to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems. Understanding that low-income individuals experience disproportionate access to healthy foods, projects are to address food and nutrition insecurity, particularly among our nation’s most vulnerable populations.

Applications must be received by September 30, 2022.
The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) is a reimbursement grant program that supports produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to improve their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the risks of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses while increasing market access. Applicants must be legally recognized entities within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, own the property where the project will be located, and be principally and substantially engaged in agricultural production for commercial purposes. Maximum project funding is $50,000, except produce operations may request up to $200,000 in grant funding specifically for the new construction, retrofitting, or expansion of a commercial washing and packing facility.

Applications must be submitted by October 14, 2022.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is investing $4.5 million in outreach for the Conservation Reserve Program’s Transition Incentives Program (CRP TIP), which helps with access to land for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.TIP provides financial incentives to CRP participants with expiring contracts, if they sell or rent the land to a beginning producer, veteran farmer or rancher, or a producer from a socially disadvantaged group. FSA expects to award 15 to 20 partner and stakeholder organizations to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to promote awareness and understanding of CRP TIP among agricultural communities, in particular those who are military veterans, new to farming, or historically underserved. Eligible applicants include Federally-recognized Indian tribal organizations, State governments, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions.

Applications are accepted through October 11, 2022.
USDA will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG Classic, grantees develop new tools, technologies, and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop market-based solutions to resource challenges. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species, and conservation in urban agricultural systems. At least 10% of the total funds available are set aside for proposals that entirely benefit historically underserved producers.

Written and video submissions will be accepted until October 1, 2022.
CHS Foundation is sponsoring an anniversary grant program that is awarding $75,000 in grants for K-12 teachers to implement a project at their school that will engage students in experiential agricultural education. Funds will be awarded for projects that have a strong tie to agriculture and clearly demonstrate how they will engage students in agricultural topics. First place will be awarded $20,000, second place will receive $15,000 and third place will receive $10,000. An additional 12 finalists will be selected and each receive $2,500. K-12 teachers in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming are eligible to apply.

Applications are due October 23, 2022.
The Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program (CAPGP) is a new program in the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. This program will fund the development of plans that will help farmers and ranchers identify actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, further environmental stewardship on farms and ranches, and ensure agricultural food security into the future. Eligible entities include Tribes, technical service providers registered with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), professional certified crop advisors, pest control advisors, rangeland managers, non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, California Public Universities, agricultural cooperatives, groundwater sustainability agencies, and farmers and ranchers in collaboration with a qualified planner. Applicants may apply for up to $250,000 to prepare conservation agriculture plans in the following categories:
Agricultural Energy Design
Carbon Farm Planning
Comprehensive Nutrient Management
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Grazing Management
Irrigation Water Management
Nutrient Management
Organic Transition
Pollinator Habitat
Pest Management
Soil Health Management

This funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pennsylvania farmers are eligible for $13 million in Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credits for measures to improve soil and water quality. Farmers may receive up to $250,000 in any seven-year period. Examples of funded projects include no-till planting and precision ag equipment, waste storage facilities, conservation plans, Nutrient Management Plans. Measures that limit run-off from high animal-traffic areas like barnyards, as well as cover crops and riparian stream buffers that prevent erosion and keep nutrients out of streams are also common REAP-eligible practices. Farmers may receive REAP tax credits of 50 to 75% of the project’s eligible out-of-pocket costs.

Applications are due by October 31, 2022.
Certified organic producers and producers who are transitioning to organic production may be eligible for financial assistance through the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program to cover expenses paid from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022. These payments can include 25% of eligible certification expenses such as inspection fees and application fees, 75% (up to $200) of registration fees for educational events, and 75% (up to $100) of required soil testing. Transitioning producers can apply for assistance with 75% of the cost of developing an organic system plan and other expenses up to $750, as well as assistance with educational event registration and soil testing.

Applications are due by September 25, 2022.
New York Farm Viability Institute is inviting grant proposals that have clear relevance to New York’s agriculture community, demonstrated producer support, and the ability to deliver farm-level economic impact over time. Priority topic areas are listed online. Eligible grant applicants include farmer groups, researchers, educators, organizations, agencies, and businesses. Proposals between $15,000 and $125,000 will be accepted.