Grants

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Application deadline is normally in February. Link for more info: https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/ 

FACT awards competitive grants of up to $3,000 to working, independent farmers who raise livestock or poultry. Funding may be used for:

- Grants for farmers who are pursuing animal welfare certification.

- Grants for welfare-certified farmers.

- Grants for farmers to improve or expand pasture for their animals.

Application deadline is normally in January. Link for more info: 

https://www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org/factprogramsforfarmers

EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Applications for State, National, and Locally Led financial assistance opportunities will be evaluated per the EQIP application deadlines.  EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers. Technical assistance is provided without a fee from NRCS specialists to help landowners and land managers plan and implement conservation practices to help them meet their land management goals, address natural resource concerns and improve soil, water, plant, animal, air, and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland.

Normally two program deadlines per year. Link for more info: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/texas/news/nrcs-announces-eqip-cic-sign-up-for-fiscal 

Ranking Criteria for NRCS programs (what program might get funded): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/texas/fy-2023-ranking-criteria-for-nrcs-programs-texas 

Rodale Institute offers a micro-grant program specifically targeted to support projects and consulting for small-scale BIPOC* farmers, whether you’re organic, transitioning to organic, or an aspiring organic farmer.

Eligibility: Any U.S. small-scale BIPOC farmer who is currently organic or wishes to pursue the transition to become organic, or any student/intern/apprentice farmer involved in an organic operation is eligible to apply for these funds.

Funding Amount: Projects will be prioritized based on potential impact and success. Project budgets should be a maximum of $2,000.

Application deadline is normally in February. Link for more info: https://rodaleinstitute.org/education/bipoc-farmer-micro-grants/  

The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance in the form of dollar-for-dollar matching grant funds to young agricultural producers that are engaged or will be engaged in creating or expanding an agricultural business in Texas.  Grant applications will be accepted from any individual person 18 years or older, but younger than 46 years of age as of the application deadline, who is engaged or will be engaged in creating or expanding agriculture in Texas. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $20,000.

There are two iterations of this grant each year with application deadlines normally in March and October. Link for more info: https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Grants-Services/Rural-Economic-Development/Texas-Agricultural-Finance-Authority/Young-Farmer-Grant 

Through the Brighter Future Fund (BFF), AFT offers grants of up to $5,000 for farm projects that promote resilience and innovation. In the past, BFF has funded amazing projects like hoop house installations, soil health improvements, and mobile farmers markets.

AFT seeks to support farmers and ranchers across America through the BFF. Expanding on priorities established by the USDA, the Fund focuses its support on beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, women, and veteran farmers and ranchers to support greater equity and opportunities for all in agriculture.

Additional information that will be taken into consideration when making funding decisions include:

- Priority for individuals who dedicate a majority of their work time to farming or ranching;

- Need-based consideration of projects;

- Diversity in farms as determined by the dollar value of farm products sold, acres in farming, and farm products grown, raised, or produced.

- Projects that 1) Improve farm viability; 2) Access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland; or 3) Adopt regenerative agricultural practices

Link for more info: 

https://farmland.org/bff-ufr/

The Innovation Challenge invites farmers, entrepreneurs, students, hackers and any farm-loving tinkerers to propose a tech-based innovation that will help small scale agriculture compete, survive and thrive. All ideas, big or small, in any phase of development, will be accepted. Entries compete for more than $10,000 in cash prizes. Three application portals are offered: DIY Innovators (open-source), Software Innovators, and Hardware Innovators. 

Application deadline is normally in November. Like for more info: 

https://caff.org/2025-small-farm-innovation-challenge/

The Dauntless Veteran Foundation (DVF) mission is to train and equip Veterans to translate their talents from the field to the farm. They offer Agriculture Grants to Veterans and their dependents seeking financial support and are, or aspiring to be, farmers, value-added producers, or pupils in agriculture.

The Agriculture Grant Program is designed to fulfill a financial gap for Veterans and their dependents after all other grants have been utilized and all means exhausted. Each Veteran is eligible to be awarded up to $15,000. Applicants are encouraged to stay within this amount for the project or curriculum they are requesting funds for. Applicants in need of small grants for expansible items are also encouraged to apply.

Application deadline varies. Link for more info: https://dauntlessvf.org/agriculture-grant-program/ 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) works to improve domestic and international opportunities for U.S. growers and producers. AMS works with a variety of organizations to support to rural America and the Nation’s agricultural sector. Programs include support for farmers markets, specialty crops, dairy, marketing initiatives, and more. Visit the website for a list of various grant opportunities listed under this program. 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants

Several grant categories. In general the intent is to support farm-related operations, including, but not limited to, livestock, poultry, processing, milk, meat and egg production and sales, agritourism, wool milling, promotions and marketing. Livestock and poultry breeds must be listed on the Conservation Priority List. Awards typically range from $500 to $2,000.

https://livestockconservancy.org/resources/micro-grant-program/