About Grants
Please Note:
As with ANY business, there are generally NOT grants to start a farm or ranch. In general, most funding available to individuals/businesses for start-up is in the form of loans. However, a few grant programs are open to farmers that are willing to do research and/or value-added product development related to their operations. Grant programs open to farmers and ranchers (as businesses or individuals) require applicants to meet specific criteria and serve a specific purpose as outlined in the grant.
Before you apply for a grant, you should also consider:
- The grant process is competitive. Grant announcements must be monitored, grant proposals must be prepared and planned for, and applications must meet exact guidelines and be submitted on time. Grants are not a fast procedure, so plan in advance.
- Most grants will only pay a percentage of costs, not 100%. You must be able to make up the difference.
- Once awarded, grant recipients must meet outcomes, record keeping, reporting, and activity requirements associated with their grant.
- Any grant funds you receive from the USDA and other organizations will be reported to the IRS on a form 1099. Therefore, you will need to report the income and associated expenses on your farm income tax return.
Remember, before pursuing financing of any type, farm and ranch business owners should have a detailed business plan and have carefully reviewed all financial requirements, including, if borrowing, their ability to repay.
-
EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program Support for Organic Growers
www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/organic/index.html
"Through the EQIP Organic Initiative, NRCS provides assistance to eligible producers for installation of conservation practices on organic or agricultural operations transitioning to organic production. According to statute, eligible producers include those who agree to develop and carry out an Organic System Plan (OSP), or develop and implement...Sponsored by: NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
This node is in the moderation queue, and will not be displayed publicly. -
REAP Feasibility Study Grants
www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapGrants.html
"The REAP/Feasibility Grant Program provides grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. It also provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to conduct feasibility study for a renewable energy system." See your State Rural Development Office for Applications: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/...Sponsored by: Rural Development
This node is in the moderation queue, and will not be displayed publicly. -
REAP Rural Energy For America Program Grants
www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html
"The Rural Energy For America Program Grants/Renewable Energy Systems/Energy Efficiency Improvement Program (REAP/RES/EEI) Grants Program provides grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. It also provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and...Sponsored by: Rural Development
This node is in the moderation queue, and will not be displayed publicly. -
REDLG Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant
www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_redlg.html
"The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program provides funding to rural projects through local utility organizations. Under the RED Loan program, USDA provides zero interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment...Sponsored by: Rural Development
This node is in the moderation queue, and will not be displayed publicly. -
SARE Grant Information
http://www.sare.org/Grants/Grants-Information
The SARE Producer Grant Program is a competitive grants program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. Producers typically use their grants to conduct on-site experiments that can improve their operations and the environment and can be shared...Sponsored by: SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
This node is in the moderation queue, and will not be displayed publicly. -
Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops Program
www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/success-stories/hightunnels/2010tunneldollars.html
"NRCS offered the seasonal high tunnels (officially called “seasonal high tunnel system for crops”) as a conservation practice for the first time in FY 2010 as part of a three-year trial to determine their effectiveness in conserving water, keeping nutrients in the soil, increasing yields, and reducing transport of agricultural pesticides." ...Sponsored by: NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
This node is in the moderation queue, and will not be displayed publicly. -
Value-Added Producer Grant
www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG_Grants.html
"Grants may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures." For more information...Sponsored by: Rural Development
This node is in the moderation queue, and will not be displayed publicly.
