Browse by Topic: Funding

A searchable list of farm funding programs.

AFT’s grants help drive new solutions for resolving key challenges facing our society by increasing the resilience of farms to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening local food systems, creating greater equity in opportunities for underserved farmers, ensuring the availability of sufficient clean water and habitat for threatened wildlife, and improving farm viability and community vitality.

This guide is written for anyone seeking help from federal programs to foster sustainable and innovative initiatives associated with agriculture and forestry in this country and territories. Sustainability can be understood to embrace the triple concepts of economic, environmental and social viability. A reader can find information about program resources pertaining to economic development; farm loans; insurance and risk management; local food systems, value added and marketing innovations; natural resources conservation and management; nutrition and consumer food access; renewable energy and energy conservation; and research and outreach. The guide can help farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, community developers, private landowners, conservationists, and other individuals, as well as private and public businesses and organizations. It describes program resources ranging from grants and loans to technical assistance and information resources.

This is a living document listing resources to support climate resilience on farms, this list includes: 1) Links to lists maintained by other organizations/agencies. These may be more frequently updated and can be a great place to start. 2) Grant and loan opportunities from public, private, and nonprofit sources. 3) Other resources that may be helpful for farmers and agricultural advisors seeking funding.

CISA's financial and technical assistance page, including state, federal, and non-profit grants and funding sources, as well as extreme weather and disaster response.

Resources on Climate Smart practices, agricultural reports, resources, and maps, farmer assistance programs, grants and funding opportunities, networks, news, and events. Focused on the Upper Valley area of Vermont, but applicable to most Vermont farmers.

A weekly updated resource list for agricultural producers of all sizes and scales, with a focus on New England resources (including National Resources to supplement): Please use the following as a starting point for navigating changes with federal funding and programming. Also includes disaster assistance, immigrant legal rights, mediation support, advocacy and education, financial resources, farmland access, and urban an small farm information.

NOFA-VT program distributes funds directly to farmers to support projects that improve long-term resilience on farm and in community. Maximum award of $5,00 per farm, with optional multi-farm applications of up to $20,000. Open Dec-Jan annually.

A search tool that can be used to find organizations and resources that are useful for farmers, agricultural service providers, farmworkers, farm communities and farming families. Includes publications, videos, podcasts, training courses and more.

Programs to support humane, pasture-based farmers with grants, scholarships, webinars, mentorship, and short courses.

An annually updated guide for Vermont farmers that includes local, state, and federal technical and financial assistance opportunities for individuals and entities working with crops, forestry products, livestock, nursery stock, and/or other land-based products.

This is a resource directory for livestock farmers in the Berkshire-Taconic region that details processors, feed sources, livestock healthcare providers, regional transportation, cold storage, sales options, and much more!

Website for Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. Includes links to funding resources, events, mentorship, organic certification, farmer's market organizers, consumers of organic food, and educators. Also has classified listings, policy and advocacy info, and a farm and farmer's market finder.

A pool of funds to distribute directly to farmers as grants to fund projects that will improve longer-term resilience on farms.

NRCS payment rates by state, county, and conservation practice activity.

Regional and state-specific resources for climate adaptation and mitigation, from funding resources to production, infrastructure, nutrient management, efficiency, alternative energy, and much more.

Grants up to $5,000 for small US farms doing projects that promote sustainable practices and community impact.

The 1990 Farm Bill created the 2501 Program to help underserved farmers, ranchers and foresters who have historically experienced limited access to USDA programs and services. Grants are awarded to community-based and non-profit organizations, higher education institutions and eligible tribal entities with at least 3 years of experience in working with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers. Individual farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply for 2501 Program grants.

The toolkit lays out the common operational elements that most urban farmers must consider as they start up or grow their operations. It also contains a special section on resources for developing indoor growing operations, such as aquaponic facilities. For each element, the toolkit identifies technical and financial resources that have been developed by federal, state, and local partners. Includes info on start-up costs, key resources, land access, soil and water quality considerations, accessing capital, infrastructure, production strategies, applying for grants, market development, mentoring, and more.

USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies. This web site will provide the address of a USDA Service Center and other Agency offices serving your area along with information on how to contact them.

A summary of USDA Rural Development's dozens of financial assistance programs, including energy and business programs.

Monthly awards recognize farmers whose businesses are contributing to a resilient Vermont agricultural landscape and demonstrate environmental stewards. Grants fund Vermont farm resilience-building projects. Three application cycles annually.