Business grants can provide capital to help farmers and ranchers finance their operations — especially as the agricultural industry continues to change and advance. Unlike small-business loans, farm grants offer free financing that doesn’t need to be repaid.
Finding and applying for these small-business grants can be time-consuming, however, and competition is stiff. Nevertheless, the time and effort may be worth it if you can secure free funds for your farm.
To help you get started, here’s a list of federal, state and private farm grants.
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Federal farm grants
The federal government offers a variety of farm grants through the Department of Agriculture (USDA). You can browse grant options through the agency’s website, which includes information regarding eligibility and how to apply. Here are a few federal farm grants to consider:
Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Improvement Grants
- Amount: $2,500 to $1 million for renewable energy systems; $1,500 to $500,000 for energy efficiency projects.
- Deadline: Currently closed.
- Eligibility: U.S. businesses and agricultural producers located in rural areas with populations of 50,000 residents or fewer.
- Apply: Via the REAP website; must register your business using the System Award Management platform and get a unique entity identification number.
Part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), these farm grants help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy-efficiency improvements. Eligible grant projects include buying, installing and/or improving systems such as:
- Wind generation.
- Solar generation.
- Hydropower.
- Insulation.
- Lighting.
- Cooling or refrigeration units.
- Doors and windows.
Farmers can also apply to use the funds to purchase new energy-efficient equipment for agricultural production and processing.
Farmers Market Promotion Program
- Amount: Up to $500,000, depending on the project type.
- Deadline: Currently closed.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based farms and other agricultural businesses, Community Supported Agriculture networks and associations, regional farmers’ market authorities, among other organizations.
- Apply: Register your business using the System Award Management platform and get a unique entity identification number; create an account on Grants.gov to submit an application.
The Farmers Market Promotion Program provides grant funding to help increase community access and the availability of locally and regionally produced products. Funding supports projects for capacity building, technical assistance, and marketing and promotion activities. Like other USDA farm grants, you’ll need to provide a 25% match to qualify for the program.
Specialty Crop Block Grant
- Amount: Varies.
- Deadline: Varies by state.
- Eligibility: Eligible specialty crop projects from farms or agricultural businesses in your state.
- Apply: Through your state department of agriculture contact.
The Speciality Crop Block Grant Program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). In order to apply for one of these grants, you must submit your application to your state department of agriculture. There is no matching requirement for this grant.
Value-Added Producer Grant
- Amount: $75,000 for planning grants; $250,000 for working capital grants.
- Deadline: Currently closed.
- Eligibility: U.S. agricultural producers.
- Apply: Via the VAPG application portal.
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) offers funding to help agricultural producers generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase income. Grants are available in two options: Planning grants and working capital grants.
These farm grants can be particularly good options for beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers and small farmers, as these groups may be prioritized in the application process.
» MORE: Business grants for minorities
State farm grants
Because federal farm grants are limited in number and often very competitive, you may have better success looking for grants at the regional, state and local levels. Grant programs and availability will vary from state to state, but these options may help you get started:
State Departments of Agriculture
- Amount: Varies by state and grant program.
- Deadline: Varies by state and grant program.
- Eligibility: Farms and agricultural businesses in that state.
- Apply: Through your state department of agriculture.
Many states offer government farm grants through their Department of Agriculture. These grants may provide funding for farm management and development, agricultural research, marketing and promotion, energy efficiency, climate action, and technology advancement, among other purposes.
For instance, one of the many grants New York State issues is the Climate Resilient Farming Program. This farm grant helps agricultural businesses invest in projects that help them reduce their impact on climate change and become more resilient to changing weather conditions.
As another example, in Missouri, agribusinesses in urban areas can apply for the state’s Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program. This government farm grant provides funding to promote urban agriculture, supporting projects such as business and marketing plan development, feasibility studies, and community gardens.
You may also find that local colleges and universities, community organizations and agricultural networks offer state-specific grants for farms.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants
- Amount: Varies by region and program.
- Deadline: Varies by region and program.
- Eligibility: U.S. farmers and ranchers; eligible projects must involve research and education.
- Apply: Via the SARE Grant Management System.
The SARE program, funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, offers farm grants and education in every state. SARE is divided into four regions — North Central, Northeast, Southern and Western — each working separately to run grant programs for the states in that region.
You can check your region’s SARE website to see what farm grants are available. Each state also has a coordinator who conducts educational programs; you can contact that person for more information about funding opportunities.
Private and community farm grants
Some private companies and nonprofit organizations offer business grants for farming. Here are some options:
Fund-a-Farmer Grants
- Amount: Up to $3,500 for Welfare Improvement Grant; up to $10,000 for Systems Change and Innovation Grant.
- Deadline: Jan. 3, 2026.
- Eligibility: Working, independent, family farms in the U.S.; must submit an eligible project.
- Apply: Via the FACT grant platform.
The Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) runs the annual Fund-a-Farmer grant program, which offers funding to farmers who improve animal welfare and expand humane farming practices. In 2024, the program issued over $222,000 to 72 farms.
Although program specifics may change slightly from year to year, many eligible projects have focused on building fencing, improving water systems or building/improving farm animal housing. FACT maintains a list of past projects on its website.
The FruitGuys Community Fund
- Amount: Up to $5,000.
- Deadline: Jan. 30, 2026.
- Eligibility: Small U.S. farms (250 acres or less); farm owners/operators or long-term lessees; nonprofits must have 3+ years in operation, for-profits must have 2+ years.
- Apply: Via FruitGuys Community Fund website.
The FruitGuys Community Fund offers grants designed specifically for small-sized farms. To apply, you must provide a detailed description of your proposed project, as well as a budget and timeline. The organization prioritizes projects that promote sustainable practices and community impact.
Texas Rural Woman Grant
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: Applications open May 5, 2026.
- Eligibility: Rural woman-owned companies in Texas; must have at least three years in business.
- Apply: Via the Texas Woman’s University application site.
Offered by Texas Woman's University, this grant is open to businesses located in rural areas within the state of Texas. The goal of the program is to encourage and enable woman-owned small businesses to undertake new and innovative projects. 10 grants are awarded each year and funds can be used for a number of purposes, including farm implements and machinery.
» MORE: Small-business grants for women
Sky High Farm Grants
- Amount: Varies.
- Deadline: 2025 applications are closed.
- Eligibility: Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, migrant, refugee, LGBTQIA+ and other traditionally underserved farmers.
- Apply: Via the Sky High Farm website.
The Sky High Farm Grant is an annual microgrant program that launched in 2022. The program is designed to support groups who are excluded from traditional funding opportunities.
Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge
- Amount: $100,000 for 1st place; $25,000 for 2nd place; $10,000 for two additional finalists.
- Deadline: Applications currently closed.
- Eligibility: Open to U.S. Farm Bureau members with for-profit businesses.
- Apply: Via American Farm Bureau Federation website.
If your business is developing new solutions in the agriculture industry, this startup farm grant competition may be a good option for you. The Ag Innovation Challenge offers startup grants to businesses that are creating innovative solutions to address issues facing farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
Semi-finalists attend a live pitch competition and networking event where they’re able to present their ideas to Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives.
Brighter Future Fund
- Amount: Varies.
- Deadline: Varies by program.
- Eligibility: Farmers who meet grant-specific criteria.
- Apply: Via the American Farmland Trust website.
American Farmland Trust administers the Brighter Future Fund grant program, which offers five unique grant options to help farmers grow and sustain their farms:
- Emergency Resilience Grants.
- National Grant for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers.
- New England Regenerative Livestock Farming Grants.
- Real Farmer Care.
- Regenerate VA.
You can review specific qualifications and details for each of these farming grants on the American Farmland Trust website.
Veteran farm grants
These grants are designed to help veterans in the farming and agricultural industries.
Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
- Amount: $1,000 to $5,000.
- Deadline: Applications open January 2027.
- Eligibility: Operational agricultural businesses run by a veteran or current member of the U.S. Military; must be a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (which is free to join).
- Apply: Via the Farmer Veteran Coalition website.
The Farmer Veteran Coalition provides veteran farm grants through its Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund program. This annual program is designed to offer assistance to veterans who are beginning their careers in farming or ranching.
Unlike many other grant programs, however, this fund doesn’t issue funds to the farmers themselves — instead, it pays third-party vendors for items the individual has identified that will help launch their farm business. Eligible purchases include livestock, fencing, storage freezers, tractors, feed and other equipment.
Agriculture Grant Program
- Amount: Up to $30,000.
- Deadline: Currently closed.
- Eligibility: Veterans and their dependents who are, or aspiring to be, farmers, value-added producers or pupils in agriculture.
The Agriculture Grant Program, run by the Dauntless Veteran Foundation, offers financial support to veterans and their dependents who are, or want to be, farmers or agricultural producers. This grant is designed to fulfill a financial gap after all other means have been exhausted.
Alternatives to farm grants
Grants may not be the right funding option for every business. If you’d like to explore more traditional small-business loan options, here are a few you might consider:
- Farm loans. These products can help you cover operating expenses, purchase livestock, buy farm machinery and agricultural equipment, as well as construct farm buildings.
- SBA loans. Government-guaranteed SBA loans can be used for a variety of farming purposes. These loans offer competitive interest rates and long repayment terms.
- Microloans. Offered by nonprofits and community organizations, these small-dollar loans can be a particularly good choice for borrowers who can’t qualify for other financing options.
