USDA Grants for Farmers

How to Get USDA Grants for Farmers – The USDA grants money to organizations that perform certain types of agricultural research. These grants are available in several different formats, including research, extension, and technical assistance. There are many different grant programs available to farmers and agricultural businesses. Today in this article we are going to provide information about USDA Grants for Farmers. As you know, the recession is already at its peak and it will be really difficult for the government to allocate money for those people who are facing financial difficulty. But luckily every year the government keeps billions of dollars in USDA grants to support the farmers. However, the main issue is that there are many people who have no idea on how to get these favors. The USDA Grants will benefit the farmers but you need to choose a proper grant that will suit your purpose. We have already mentioned that the United States government allocates millions of dollars every year for different subsidies and USDA grants are one prime example for it. You can get these grants for free but do not misunderstand it as they are not any type of loans that you need to pay back. If you are a farmer and looking for USDA grants then you are at the right place. What are you waiting for? Proceed further to know more about USDA grants and their uses.

USDA Grants for Farmers In USA

I hope you already know now that America’s success highly depends on the success of the agricultural industry. The agricultural products are mostly seasonal and they contribute a lot to the country’s economy. But on the other hand running a farm is quite expensive and a farm might not generate profit for many years.

This is one of the main reasons for the government to offer agricultural subsidies that will help the farmers to stay in business and their effort does not go in vain. There are many farmers who struggle to stay in business because of financial problems. In such a situation the government steps in to help them out.

The USDA grants offer millions of dollars to the farmers so that they can pay their mortgage and there are also grants for agricultural research and to educate the upcoming farmers. Apart from the USDA grants for farmers programs, the government also offers several grants and low income loans to offer financial support to the farmers.

The main aim of the USDA Grant for the farmers is that they will offer immense support to keep the US economy stable by providing all the necessary resources to the farmers. There are also land purchase grants, mortgage assistance and many other grants to help with leasing equipment. The grants also provide free money to the farmers to enhance their farmland.

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List of USDA Funding Assistance for Farmers

The USDA Grant Program can be a great way to get financial assistance for your business. Many different grant programs are available, and it is important to carefully answer all the questions on the application form. By being prepared for the application process and getting a grant that is appropriate for your business, you can make successful applications.

USDA Programs for Organic Farmers

The farmers can also get funds to create buffer zones especially on organic farming using the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Shrubs, trees, field borders in native grasses, pollinator strips, filter strips and windbreak are eligible for the listing. CRP contracts also include cost-share payments, annual rent, certain incentive payments that will help in implementing conservation practices.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) has combined the former Farmland Protection and Ranch, Wetland Reserve Programs and Grass Reserve programs of the NRCS.

Easement is one of the best ways to make sure that the productive farmland remains farmland and sensitive land and habitat must be protected for a long time. Apart from that the Natural Resources Conservation Service also offers you free assistance to get access to these programs.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

When you have conservation practices installed and you are willing to add more. CSP generally rewards you for what you have already done and also offers you an opportunity to try something or maybe something you have always wanted to do.

Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)

Environment Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is one of the best options to solve soil and water issues on the farm. EQIP offers you technical assistance and advice on conservation planning, construction costs, practices and installation costs. Apart from that they also offer incentives for creating wildlife habitats.

Guidance to FSA Agricultural Loans

The guide will help in explaining about FSA loan servicing options and farm loans.

Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

The USDA grants for farmers program is mainly designed for the agricultural producers to offer them help in starting value-added activities. There are several grants that are available for the agricultural producers that will help them in expanding marketing opportunities, create new products, support the further processing of existing products or goods and also develop niche products.

The maximum working capital grant that is offered is $200,000 and the maximum planning grant is around $75,000. However, the funding priority is mainly given to the beginners and farmers who are socially disadvantaged. The small and medium sized family farms or farmers are also eligible for the grants.

USDA Microloan Program for Small Farms

The United States Department of Agriculture is also offering a maximum loan of $35,000 to the disadvantaged farmers, small farmers and military veterans who are looking to set up a farm. The USDA Microloan Program also helps those people who are struggling to get small loans from the bank or from other USDA loan programs.

The loans can offer immense help to the farmers to grow organic and niche crops and then directly sell it to the farmer’s market. It will also help them in contributing towards agricultural programs that are supported by the community.

Apart from that the loan also covers various costs like land rents, cost of equipment, cost of seeds and other general expenses. However, the application procedure is quite simple if compared with other traditional agricultural loans. The best thing about the loan is it does not need to be repaired for a period of seven years. The applications are processed by the local service agency officers.

Also Read : usda minority farm grants

Farm Service Agency’s Microloan Program

You can find a publication of the Farmers’ Legal Action Group that helps in offering an overall guide related to the microcredit program that is offered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA)

FSA Factsheet on Getting Microloans

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has developed the Microloan Program that will help in meeting the financial requirement of the small family farms consisting of non-traditional and beginning farms. You can use the microloans for operating expenses.

Basic Guide To Federal Farm and Food Programs

As you know, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalitions’ guide offers various important points about the federal program and policies related to sustainable agriculture. They also offer information on how they should be used by the farmers, ranchers and other grassroots small organizations that are located nationwide.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE – North Central Region)

Sustainable Agriculture Research Education (SARE) is a program that offers USDA grants to the farmers, students, agricultural educations, female farmers and ranchers that are in the United States. However, the USDA grants for farmers’ applications for farmer projects are already running late.

Other Funding Options That Are Available For Farmers

KIVA ZIP

KIVA ZIP is a crowdfunding project that offers loans to the farmers at 0 percent interest rate without charging any fees.  However, the borrower needs to invite a few family members and friends to lend the project so the borrower can trust that the borrower has the capability to repay the loan back. Once a percentage of loan is paid, Kiva Zip wil be promoting the loans in its wide network to one million lenders. If you are a farmer you can get loans up to $10,000 and you need to pay them back within 36 months.

FUTURE ORGANIC FARMER GRANT

There are many students who are wishing to study organic agriculture in any vocational or undergraduate program and can apply for the $2,500 USDA grants for farmers under the CCOF foundation. K-8 teachers can also apply for the $1,000 grants to fund organic farming education projects. But remember that applications for these USDA grants for farmers are due in the month of May. There are also grants for high schools that offer organic supervised faring experience projects using the FFA are available in the month of September and the deadline is in November.

FUND A FARMER PROJECT

Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) also offers USDA grants for farmers for projects that can help the family farmer to switch to pasture-based systems and also improve humane marketing of their agricultural products. It can also be used to enrich the condition where animals of farms are raised. Remember that the grant cycle generally opens in the month of September and ends in November.

Also Read : Agricultural Hobby Farm Grant For Farming

FruitGuys Community Fund

The FruitGuys Community Fund was founded in the year 2012 offering USDA grants to the farmers that are up to $5,000. The funds are mainly offered to the nonprofits and small farms for sustainability projects that can have a positive effect on the environment, agricultural diversity and local food systems. The fund evolved from the FruitGuys Farm Steward program and has been donated to the funds for small farm sustainability projects that were running from the year 2008 to 2011.

Chipotle Cultivate Foundation

The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation grant award mainly aims to support the family farms that are engaged towards sustainable agricultural practices and to those organizations who are striving to develop sustainable, affordable and pasture based animal production systems. There are also organizations that promote better nutrition through education and innovation. Apart from that the foundation also accepts the USDA grants for farmer proposals through invitation. You can also hear about organization and projects through email.

Barnraiser

Barnraiser is a crowdfunding site that supports all types of projects that are related to agriculture and sustainable food. If you have a 70 percent success rate in your project, Barnraise will help you by providing grants to farmers from the funds raised that you can use for purchasing items like wood burning oven, poultry processing equipment, new fence and a walking tractor.

If you are looking for fencing then you can also apply for the Farm Fencing Grants. Generally the project ranges from $2,000 to $30,000. Remember that the project is only funded if they reach the total amount the goal that is set. However, the fees are 5 % for Barnraise and 4 to 5 percent for credit cards and other payment processing partners. You can also www.barnraiser.us to support any ongoing projects or you can also create a project of your own to receive funding.

Whole Foods Local Producer Loan Program

First of all you should understand that the whole foods market generally offers low interest loans to the food artisan and other local independent farmers. The farmers can apply for amounts that are between $1,000 to $100,000. However, the maximum amount that is offered for start-ups is $25,000).

The interest rates are fixed varying between 5 percent to 9 percent. Also remember that the amount of loans cannot exceed more than 80 percent  of the total project cost. The Produce Loan program mainly reinforces the whole foods commitment towards environment stewardship that will help in expanding the availability of high quality local products to its available customers.

Other Resources for Small Farmers

The resources that have been mentioned below are not grants but they can offer education and information that will help in improving your journey towards smallholder farming. You can also find various links that can offer you additional resources.

• You can visit the official USDA website and find many resources related to new female farmers and also other financial information. In their website you can also learn about small scale farming as they provide a comprehensive tutorial on it.
• The Small Farms Program is mainly offered by Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. It is also funded by the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Apart from that they also offer several online courses, host events, farming videos, a website with all required resources and also includes a guide to farming in New York. The Small Farms Program is generally based in New York, however they work in collaboration with other organizations that are located in the Northeast.
• You can also find the New England Small Farm Institute that offers a course named as Exploring the Small Farm Dream to the new farmers who are doing a good start in their business. If you are not in New England, you can still browse the book for free and get a self study format.

Also Read : Government grants for cattle farmers

As you already know, starting a farm or expanding a farm can be really difficult. You might need a grant for various purposes like pig farming or expanding your farmland. You can try money for farmers and apply for the USDA grants for farmers and financial assistance to enhance your career to the next level. It is also important for you to search for places where you get the right information about the grants and you can start your application procedure.

You might take advantage of various programs but remember that a small farm business plan is required by most people. You can also wait for additional information from the lenders, programs or from the government. You need to build a better business plan and submit it along with your application.

Small Business Grants for Farmers and Other Financial Assistance

• First of all you need to check out your cooperative extension office to get local and individual assistance to solve any particular situation. You can visit the cooperative extension office to get a useful source of information and it will also save a lot of your time. As you might consume a lot of your important time in searching for the grants.
• After that you need to visit Grants.gov. In the website you can search using keywords or you can browse the categories of agencies to find small farm grants that are suitable for your requirement.
• USDA’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center offers a comprehensive list of opportunities and resources for grants and loans that are designed for the small farmers and for the agricultural producers. You can also view the Financing Sources video tutorial as well as a Small Farm Financing Resources publication to help you out to write a strong business plan and develop a better grant proposal. They will also help you in finding an assistance program and you might qualify for it.
• You can also find USDA grants for farmers that are listed by the sustainable agriculture research and education organization. Some of the organizations collaborate with other organizations including community and other education institutions.
• You can also visit Beginningfarmers.org to find comprehensive links related to financial assistance for starting any new or small farming business. You will be able to find every piece of information from the USDA’s agricultural service agency about individual state programs that are suitable for beginning farmers. You can also find agricultural credit cooperative systems and other private lenders who lend the beginning farmers.

How to Apply for a USDA Grant For Farmers

The USDA Grants Administration process is simple. To apply for a grant, you will need to complete an application and submit it to the Grants Administration office in your city or town. After reviewing your application, the Grants Administration office will contact you to discuss the grant you have applied for and answer any questions you may have. You can find information about how to apply for a grant on the USDA Grants Administration website.

Steps to apply for USDA Grants for Farmer

To get started on applying for a grant from the USDA, please follow these steps:

• Complete an online application form (available at https://www.usda.gov/topics/farming/grants-and-loans),
• Upload all of your required paperwork (e.g., Personal information, Address Proof, Income Proof, tax forms),
• Answer all of the questions on the application Form,
• Click “submit”,
• Wait for instructions from the Grants Administration office, and
• Receive YOUR Grant award!

Who Can Get USD Farmer Grants?

The USDA Grants are provided for various types of workers and farmers to help them out in purchasing farm equipment and other accessories that can help their farming technique. You can find grants for farm workers, grants for black farmers, grants for female farmers, grants for veteran farmers, grants for disabled farmers, grants for organic farmers, grants for solar farms and organic farming. We are going to discuss these USDA grants that are mainly offered to those sets of people.

USDA Grants for Farm Workers

The USDA Grants for Farm Workers are offered under The Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program that offers $665 million in Consolidated Appropriations Act Fund that is mainly provided to the non-profit organization, Tribal entities, State agencies. 

The fund is provided to them to offer support and relieved service to those farmworkers or meatpacking workers who are struggling. The award generally ranges from $5 million to $50 million. The entities that are receiving these awards will further distribute the relief payment to the meatpacking workers or the farmworkers who are working in the frontline. 

The funds will help them in incurring the expenses and also recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Under this program, a one time direct relief payment of $600 is offered to the eligible frontline meatpacking, grocery and farm workers so that they can receive from the Covid-19 pandemic loss. Apart from that USDA strongly helps and encourages the small organizations to collaborate with other national organizations in submitting the application that will help in ensuring support nationally to America’s farm and food workers. AMS has also offered a total $20 million for one or more grant agreements to help out the grocery store workers.

 USDA AMS have also collaborated with two big organizations that are Corazón Latino and UFW Foundation. The main aim of the collaboration is to provide the applicants with technical assistance support and also help them out with the preparation of the applications. The technical assistance providers also help in identifying the grant preparation resources and other potential partners. Their main consideration is to develop a competitive grant application and a successful program to help out the workers.

USDA Grants for Black Farmers

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) have also announced a whooping $35 million for funding the community based and nonprofit organization, tribal entities, institution of higher education to help the underserved and veteran farmers so that they can operate their farms successfully. 

However, the funding is mainly made by the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran and Rancher Program. This program is also known as the 2501 Program. The USDA office of Partnerships & Public Engagement also known as OPPE administers the 2501 program. 

As you know it has always been very hard for the young farmer, beginning farmers, the specialty crop grower to get access to the USDA program. There are also farmer who were denied because of their color and also of historical discrimination that are present in the farm programs. However, the 2501 program will offer full access to the underserved groups and they will be able to participate in the USDA programs and services.

USDA Grants for Female Farmers

The FSA is highly committed to serve all the ranchers and farmers. Apart from that they also offer guaranteed loan funds, direct farm ownership, microloan funding, youth loans and also help out the female farmers. The help is provided to:

• Female Farmers
• African-Americans
• Asian
• Hispanic
• Native Hawaiians
• Pacific Islanders
• Alaskan Natives
• American Indians

Loans are also offered to the women farmers but remember it is not a special type of loan or loan program. The designation can be mainly referred to as Social Disadvantaged Applicant (SDA) funding. If you want to be considered for the targeted funding then loan applications need to provide information about gender, ethnicity and race. You can also identify yourself as an historically underserved beginning farmer loan application and you do not have to choose between beginning farmer or underserved individual.

You can also visit or contact the local office or USDA Service Center to know more about their programs. You will find a listing of public and government organizations  in the telephone directory in the section under the U.S Department of Agriculture. There are also FSA office staff who can help you out in discussing the loan program in a comprehensive manner.

USDA Grants for Veterans

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking a vital step to show their commitment towards meatpacking workers, grocery store workers, farmworkers by recognizing that they play a very important role in America’s food system. 

Tom Vilsack the Agriculture Secretary has announced about 15 types of grants that offer help to veterans, female farmers,black farmers and many more. They mainly receive funding from the Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program also known as FFWR. Organizations are selected through their proven track records with the grocery workers, meatpacking workers and farmworkers. 

It also sees their strong partnership with other serving organizations and also the ability to provide the service in certain geographic areas nationwide. However, USDA is also committed to work to improve the nation’s essential agriculture along with the food workers. They have also offered opportunities for relief during the Covid-19 pandemic. The grant recipients are also offered relieved payments at that challenging time.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers the program and offers the funds to the farmworkers and meatpacking workers for relief. There are a lot of workers who were directly affected because of the pandemic. The funding is also set into three pilot programs to offer help to the grocery workers during the pandemic. The organization is also preparing a system that will help in outreaching the grocery workers, meatpacking workers and farm workers. If they apply for these grants they will be receiving around $600 as payments. The USDA anticipates the beneficiaries that will help with the funds to the recipients but remember the workers needed to produce valid ID of employment to receive the payment.

USDA Grants for Disabled Farmers

The combined expertise and deviation of the Cooperative Extension System and also other nonprofit disability organizations has helped in creating the AgrAbility program for the Disabled Farmers. AgrAbility has already helped thousands of determined individuals to become successful in agriculture. However, AgrAbility received their first funding in the year 1991 and the bill was recommended in 1990. Every year competitive projects are awarded to the Cooperative Extension Services that has also collaborated with other non profit disability organizations to help out the disabled farmers and their families. Apart from the state grant projects you can also find additional support from the national AgrAbility project that has involved Goodwill and Purdue universities. The national partners have also provided professional training and technical assistance to the state projects by producing resource material and conduction information as required in the project.

The AgrAbility program also demonstrates the ability on how to extend services and also to respond to the local requirements as it makes a lot of difference collaboratively. Another important thing is that they also illustrate the benefits by offering expanding boundaries, providing opportunities and many more. Apart from that the AgrAbility program services are mainly offered through the state projects.

USDA Grants for Organic Farmers

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) also offers pandemic assistance to the organic farmers that will help them in covering certification along with the education expenses. But remember you must be into certified organic or transitioning to organic. USDA will also be making around $20 million available for the Organic and New Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) to help out the organic farmers.

USDA Grants for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

You can also find USDA grants for the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFRs). If you belong to that specific group you will be offered grants by the USDA to help you out. The farmers are also offered help who are American Indian, Pacific Island, Hispanic or Lation, Alaska Native etc. Apart from that there are also female women who can qualify for the grant.

USDA Grants for Solar Farms

There is also an USDA Grants program for solar farms. In this program it offered loan financing and other funding to the agricultural producers and other small business owners for getting or improving emergency efficiency through renewable energy systems. The agricultural producers can apply for this energy efficient equipment and also get system loans from the USDA regarding processing and production.

USDA Grants for Organic Farming

There are also USDA Grants for Organic Farming offering help to the organic farmers, ranchers and food processors who have imposed a standard regarding organic fiber and food production. The grant helps in covering all the standards including soil and water quality, livestock practices, food additives, pest control and many more. There is a grant program OCCSP that offers cost share assistance to handlers and producers regarding agriculture products to optation certification that is administered by the National Organic Program (NOP). The certified operation will also be receiving around 50 percent of the certification cost during the year and it will not be exceeded by $500.

Conclusion

I hope the article has provided you with all the information related to USDA Grants for Farmers. There are many farmers who are struggling and do not have the financial capability to maintain their farmland. But there is nothing much to worry as we have already mentioned about the USDA grants for farmers and how the grant can help them out. However, there are many types of grants so you need to choose the right USDA grants that are suitable for you. You need to research a bit about the grant before applying for it. If you know any farmer who is looking for USDA grants please share this article with them. Thanks for reading this article till the end. I hope you have a great day ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

We are going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions on USDA grants. Go through the question and answers to gain some additional knowledge on it.