List of funding sources for produce farms in NYS
Last Updated: April 10, 2025
This is a list of grants and other sources of funds that are available to produce (fruit and vegetable) producers in New York State. For-profit farms are eligible to apply for these grants, unless noted. Not every program is currently accepting applications, but where possible I have tried to indicate when the funding tends to be available. If in bold, the program is currently accepting applications.
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Higgins at emh56@cornell.edu
- Agriculture Energy Audit Program (NYSERDA)
- Agricultural Environmental Management (NYS through Soil and Water Conservation Districts)
- Ag Management Assistance Program (USDA NRCS).
- Beginning Farmer Grant (NYS Ag and Markets through NYS Farm Viability)
- Black Farmers Learn (Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust)
- Conservation Reserve Program (USDA FSA)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (USDA NRCS)
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (USDA NRCS)
- Farm Ops Scholarships (Cornell Small Farms Program)
- Farmers Market Promotion Program (USDA AMS)
- Food Safety for Specialty Crops (USDA FSA)- Deadline January 31, 2026
- FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Program (NYS Ag and Markets)
- GAP Certification Assistance Program (NYS Ag and Markets)
- Local Food Promotion Program (USDA AMS)
- Marketing Assistance Program for Specialty Crops (USDA FSA)
- Off-Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans & Grants (USDA Rural Development)
- On-Farm Labor Housing Loans (USDA Rural Development)
- Organic Certification Cost Share Program (USDA FSA)
- NYS Grown and Certified Grant Program (NYS Ag and Markets through NYS Farm Viability)
- Regional Food Business Center, Business Builder Award (USDA AMS through NASDA)
- Regional Food Systems Partnership Program (USDA AMS)
- Resilient Food Infrastructure Grant Program: Coming in 2025 – Equipment Only Grants (NYS Ag and Markets through the Farm and Food Growth Fund)
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Grants and Loans (USDA Rural Development)
- Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance Program (NYSERDA)
- SARE Farmer Grant (USDA SARE)
- SARE Historically Underserved Farming Communities Grant (USDA SARE)
- SARE Partnership Grant (USDA SARE)
- Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Farmer Grant Program (NYS Ag and Markets through NE Farmers of Color Land Trust)
- Value Added Producer Grant (USDA Rural Development) – Deadline April 17, 2025
Agriculture Energy Audit Program (NYSERDA)
Application Date: Continuous
NYSERDA offers free energy audits to identify energy efficiency measures for eligible farms and on-farm producers, including but not limited to: dairies, orchards, greenhouses, vegetables, vineyards, grain dryers, and poultry/egg. In addition, greenhouse facilities can receive a free benchmarking report that describes their energy use intensity and benchmarks their facility against an anonymous aggregate of peer facilities. Farms must be customers of a New York State investor-owned utility and contribute to the System Benefits Charge (SBC). Please check your current electricity bills.
Agricultural Environmental Management (NYS through Soil and Water Conservation Districts)
Application Date: AEM Technical Assistance is available, funding for Cost Share depends on availability of state funds, farms can do AEM planning through their county Soil and Water Conservation District.
NYS funding, administered by Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The AEM program is available statewide and is similar to USDA EQIP. AEM is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to eligible agricultural producers who are willing to address priority environmental issues by implementing conservation practices. AEM’s focus has been on water quality. AEM planning is a requirement to participate in the NYS Grown and Certified Label program.
AEM Planning Resources can be found at this link AEM Planning Resources | Agriculture and Markets
Ag Management Assistance Program (USDA NRCS).
Application Date: Applications are accepted at any time and NRCS periodically announces cut-off dates for evaluating accepted applications.
NRCS-NY targets AMA funding to assist agricultural producers in urban areas.
Producers receive conservation technical and financial assistance to construct or improve water management or irrigation structures, plant trees for windbreaks or, to improve water quality and mitigate risk, diversify their operation and conservation practices including soil erosion control, integrated pest management or transition to organic farming.
Eligible land includes agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land or other land on which agricultural products, livestock, or forest-related products are produced and where risk may be mitigated by diversifying the operation or adding conservation practices that support soil erosion control, integrated pest management and organic farming.
Beginning Farmer Grant Program (NYS Ag and Markets through NYS Farm Viability)
Application Date: Closed for 2025, 2 future rounds are planned.
Administered by the New York Farm Viability Institute, the Beginning Farmer Grant Program’s goal is to assist beginning farmers with the financial costs associated with the creation or expansion of a new farm operation. The program will award grants to for-profit farm businesses operating within New York State that are start-ups or have been in business for less than ten years. In 2025 a total of $850,000 was available through this program, with awards ranging from $5,000-$25,000 and $50,000-$250,000, based on project complexity.
Black Farmers Learn (Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust)
Application Date: Applications are reviewed the first week of every month
The Black Farmers Learn Scholarship provides financial support to Black farmers and land stewards seeking to grow their agricultural skills. Recipients can receive up to $500 to cover tuition or registration fees for training programs, conferences, schools, or collectives that deepen farming knowledge and capacity.
Conservation Reserve Program (USDA FSA)
Application Date: Enrollment periods vary depending on the type of signup. General signups occur periodically, while continuous signup is available year-round for certain practices. Check the FSA state site for deadlines for review of submitted proposals, but you should plan to apply well in advance.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary program that encourages farmers and landowners to convert highly erodible and other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as native grasses, trees, and riparian buffers. By enrolling in CRP, participants receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving covers. The program helps to improve water quality, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat, contributing to overall environmental health and sustainability.
Conservation Stewardship Program (USDA NRCS)
Application Date: Check the NRCS state site for deadlines for review of submitted proposals, but you should plan to apply well in advance.
New York will use ACT NOW for all CSP ranking pools in FY25. ACT NOW allows NRCS to expedite application approval and contract obligation in a designated ranking pool when an eligible application meets or exceeds a state determined minimum ranking score.
CSP helps farmers and forest landowners expand their conservation activities and take their conservation to the next level. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn
payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation and climate smart activities like cover crops, forest stand improvement, tree and shrub establishment and
pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active agricultural or forest production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of new technologies and new management
techniques such as precision nutrient management, improved grazing systems, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate, and new soil amendments to improve water quality.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (USDA NRCS)
Application Date: Check the NRCS state site for deadlines for review of submitted proposals, but you should plan to apply well in advance.
New York will use ACT NOW for the High Tunnel and Conservation Planning Activity ranking pools in FY25. ACT NOW allows NRCS to expedite application approval and contract obligation in a
designated ranking pool when an eligible application meets or exceeds a state determined minimum ranking score.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to address priority environmental issues by implementing conservation practices. In New York, EQIP has been used by many fruit and vegetable producers to help fund high tunnels. Funding at the farm-level will vary by project.
Farmers Market Promotion Program (USDA AMS)
Application Date: Applications generally due in late spring early summer
USDA’s annual grant program for developing, coordinating, and expanding direct to consumer markets. The program is not just for farmers markets. FMPP offers four types of projects, 36-month Capacity Building, 36-month Community Development Training and Technical Assistance, 24-month Turnkey Marketing and Promotion, and 24-month Turnkey Recruitment and Training. Capacity Building projects range from $50,000 to $250,000, while Community Development Training and Technical Assistance projects range from $100,000 to $500,000. The program requires a 25% match of the requested federal portion of the grant. The deadline for applications last year was May 14, 2024.
FarmOps Scholarships (Cornell Small Farms Program)
Application Date: Funding is first-come, first-served while funds are available.
The Cornell Small Farms Program is offering scholarships to veterans and active-duty military personnel who attend educational events and workshops related to farming. Veterans and active-duty military personnel are eligible. The program currently offers reimbursement on eligible costs for agricultural trainings. Eligible costs include travel expenses and registration for trainings (i.e. hotel, mileage, event registration). Maximum funding is $100 but multiple day training events may be eligible for a higher reimbursement rate.
Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (USDA FSA)
Application Date: Deadline to apply for 2025 expenses is January 31st, 2026
Funding to assist with expenses associated with farmers to obtain Food Safety Certifications. Expenses from January 1st, 2025 through December 31st, 2025 are for the 2025 Program Year.
In order to be eligible, you must be either:
- Small Business: had an average less than $500,000 in the 3 years preceding the program year of specialty crop value
- Medium Business: had an average of $500,000 – $1000,000 in the 3 years preceding the program year of specialty crop value.
Eligible specialty crop operations could apply for FSCSC by working directly with the Farm Service Agency office at their local USDA Service Center. Applications are accepted via mail, fax, hand delivery, or electronic means.
FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Program (NYS Ag and Markets) – Must Partner with a Non-Profit or Government
Application Date: Maybe Summer 2025? The deadline in 2024 was August.
If you are a CSA farm that already accepts SNAP (food stamps) as a source of payment for weekly CSA shares, this grant should be of interest to you. If you do not currently participate in this program, you will need to partner with a non-profit or local government to be the applicant. Your local CCE office, your county department of health, a local food pantry or other non-profits are all possible partners for this grant. Here is the information about the program:
New York producers are eligible to be reimbursed for up to to 50% of the cost of a weekly share purchased by a SNAP recipient with their SNAP benefits through an awarded third-party applicant. So, for example, if your weekly share is $30 if you charge people using SNAP $15 per share you could be reimbursed an additional $15, so would receive the full $30.
All proposals should identify the producers providing items for the programs weekly shares and or the beneficiaries of the reduced cost share. Applications must select CSAs that already accept SNAP payments as a form of payment.
GAP Certification Assistance Program (NYS Ag and Markets)
Application Date: Funds are available on first-come, first-served basis.
The GAP certification assistance program is a cost-share/reimbursement program designed to assist the specialty crop industry with the cost of an operation’s GAP food safety audit. Funding for this program is provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets reimburses up to $2000 of the cost of the audit. Reimbursement may include the cost of food safety training, water tests, consultants needed to prepare the food safety plan, and on-site visits. (Scroll to the bottom of the webpage for the link to the application)
Local Food Promotion Program (USDA AMS)
Application Date: Applications generally due in the late spring early summer. The deadline for applications last year was May 14, 2024.
USDA’s annual grant program for projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing. LFPP offers four types of projects, 24-month Planning, 36-month Implementation, 24-month Turnkey Marketing and Promotion, and 24-month Turnkey Recruitment and Training. Planning projects range from $25,000 to $100,000, while implementation projects range from $100,000 to $500,000. The program requires a 25% match of the requested federal portion of the grant.
Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (USDA FSA)
Application Date: Closed for applications – future unkown
In 2024/5 USDA Farm Service Agency made $2 billion available to help specialty crop producers (fruit, vegetable, tree nuts, nursery crops, christmas trees, floriculture, culinary and medicinal herbs and spices, honey, hops, maple sap, turfgrass and grass seed) expand markets and manage higher costs. Applications were only accepted from December 10, 2024, to January 8, 2025. Most NYS specialty crop producers would seem to be eligible for these funds. This is not a grant; payments were based entirely on your sales history.
Eligible producers or legal entities must:
- Have an average adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $900,000 for tax years 2021, 2022, and 2023, unless the producer or legal entity’s average adjusted gross farm income is at least 75 percent of their average AGI; so, if your income is more than 75% from farming you are not held to the AGI cap.
- Be in the business of producing a specialty crop at the time of application and be entitled to an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025.
- Be a U.S. citizen, resident alien, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other organizational structure organized under state law, Indian Tribe or Tribal Organization, or a foreign person or foreign entity who meets certain eligibility requirements.
- Comply with the provisions of the “Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation” regulations, often called the conservation compliance provisions; and
- Not have a controlled substance violation.
Eligible established specialty crop producers can apply for MASC benefits by completing the FSA-1140, Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program Application, and submitting the form to any FSA county office by Jan. 8, 2025. When applying, eligible specialty crop producers must certify their specialty crop sales for calendar year 2023 or 2024.
New specialty crop producers are required to certify 2025 expected sales, submit an FSA-1141 application and provide certain documentation to support reported sales i.e., receipts, contracts, acreage reports, input receipts, etc. New producers are those who began producing specialty crops in 2023 or 2024 but did not have sales due to the immaturity of the crop, began producing specialty crops in 2024 but did not have a complete year of sales or will begin growing specialty crops in 2025.
This is the link to the Federal Register Notice that provides the most detail about the program.
NYS Grown and Certified Grant Program (NYS Ag and Markets through NYS Farm Viability).
Application Date: Closed for 2025 should have rounds in 2026 and 2027. Application for 2025 was open in November 2024.
NYS Ag and Markets is partnering with NYS Farm Viability Institute to offer a grant to farms that are enrolled in or are in the process of enrolling in the NYS Grown and Certified Program. The grant will fund projects with priorities for: distribution capacity enhancement; environmental sustainability related to NYS Grown & Certified participation; food safety; new product development, processing and packing, production automation and labor efficiency. The grant program is unique in that it emphasizes infrastructure improvements and will only require a 10% match. There are few grants that cover infrastructure.
Funding will be awarded within 4 regional groups:
- Finger Lakes and Central NY: $1 million for capital projects
- Mid-Hudson, New York City, and Long Island: $1.5 million for capital projects
- North Country, Mohawk Valley, and Capital Region: $1.5 million for capital projects
- Western NY and Southern Tier: $1 million for capital projects
Each regional group will also have an additional $200,000 available for research and development projects.
Off-Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans & Grants (USDA Rural Development) – Applicant must be a non-profit or government
Application Date: Last year the applications were due in the summer
This program provides affordable financing to develop housing for year-round and migrant or seasonal domestic farm laborers. Funds can be used for construction, improvement, repair and purchase of housing for domestic farm laborers is the primary objective of this program. Buying and improve land, purchasing household furnishings and Paying construction loan interest is also eligible. Loans are for up to 33 years at 1% interest and grants are for up to 90% of project cost.
On-Farm Labor Housing Loans (USDA Rural Development)
Application Date: This program accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted.
This program provides affordable financing to develop or rehabilitate affordable rental housing for very low to moderate income domestic, migrant, and seasonal farm laborers. It also provides funding used to increase the supply of affordable housing for farm labor; and the ability of the farmer to provide affordable, decent, sage and sanitary housing for farm workers.
This program provides low interest loans to eligible borrowers to develop or rehabilitate affordable rental housing for very low to moderate income domestic, migrant, and seasonal farm laborers. Borrowers must not otherwise be able to get commercial credit. The interest rate is 1% annually for up to 33 years and 100% of the cost of the housing can be financed.
Organic Certification Cost Share Program (USDA FSA) or Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NYS Ag and Markets)
Application Date: Deadline for 2024 was October 31, 2024. Current status unknown
Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA issues payments as applications are received and approved. The application and instructions can be found at the program’s website. How to Apply: To apply, producers and handlers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center and be prepared to provide documentation of organic certification and eligible expenses. Farms in NYS can also apply for the program through NYS Ag and Markets.
Regional Food Business Center, Business Builder Award (USDA AMS through NASDA)
Application Date: Open for Applications, Due April 7
All Regional Food Business Centers will administer a Business Builder award program as part of their Capacity Building goals. Business Builder awards provide direct financial assistance of up to $100,000 to eligible small and mid-sized farms and food businesses. Awards are made for business, market, and supply chain development projects aimed at increasing business viability, developing regional market opportunities, and expanding value chain capacity. NASDA was selected as the Regional Food Business Center lead agency for the Northeast, including New York State. New York State Ag and Markets, Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement and Buffalo Go Green are partners with NASDA on the regional center.
The maximum award will be $100,000 per entity, but business can receive unlimited trainings and access to non-financial resources to strengthen their business through this program. No match requirement. The program webpage has information about the program. USDA has provided a FAQ that outlines what types of projects would be eligible and not eligible for assistance.
Regional Food Systems Partnership Program (USDA AMS) – Will require partnerships with other organizations
Application Date: Unsure as it is a new program, probably late spring early summer. The deadline for applications last year was May 14, 2024.
Also, part of the LAMP program, The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. RFSP offers two types of projects, 24-month Planning and Design and 36-month Implementation and Expansion Projects. Planning and Design projects range from $100,000 to $250,000, while Implementation and Expansion projects range from $250,000 to $1,000,000. The program requires cash-only matching fund contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total Federal portion of the grant.
Application Date: Expected application in 2025
According to the NYS Ag and Markets website, NYS Ag and Markets Farm and Food Growth Fund applications for Equipment Only Grants will be launched after the Resilient Food Infrastructure Grant Program is completed. They expect this to be in 2025. These awards will be $10,000 – $100,000 with no match required. Equipment must be used for post-harvest aggregation, processing, packing, or distribution of eligible agricultural products. The Farm and Food Growth Fund (the administrator of the grant program) website indicates that information about this program will be available soon.
Application Date: Currently Closed for Applications.
Provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Ag business with at least 50% of gross income coming from agricultural operations. Or small businesses in rural areas (> 50,000 people). Small projects are projects that are $20,000 or less. Businesses must be in an area other than a city or town with a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area of that city or town. Agricultural producers may be in rural or non-rural areas. Grants for up to 25% of eligible project costs. Maximum grant for energy system is $500,000 and the maximum grant for energy efficiency is $250,000. Combined grant and loan funding of up to 75% of total eligible project costs.
REAP Technical Assistance Program (NYSERDA)
Application Date: Funding is available on a first come, first serve basis through September 30, 2026.
RTAP provides farmers with no-cost support preparing an application package seeking REAP grant funding, which can cover up to 50% of total project costs for energy efficiency improvements. RTAP can help farmers with:
- Preparation of a technical report in accordance with 7 CFR 4280.119(d)
- Help filing for System Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) registrations
- Completion of environmental reports and other documentation required for REAP grant applications
- Resources for obtaining an energy audit and additional incentive information
- Energy best practices information to improve the energy efficiency of farm operations
- Translation and interpretation services
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply for RTAP (basically these are eligibility requirements for REAP)
- Be a New York State agricultural producer or rural business
- Not have outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgement, or debarments
- Have at least 50% of gross revenue or receipts coming from agricultural operations, or be considered a rural small business
- Provide a qualified energy audit that has been completed within the last two years. No-cost energy audits are available through NYSERDA’s Agriculture Energy Audit Program.
- Provide your most recent utility and energy bills for the farm and any stationary equipment.
Priority will be given to applicants who meet the following criteria:
- Requesting $20,000 or less in REAP grant funds
- Located in disadvantaged or distressed communities as defined by the USDA Distressed and Disadvantaged Communities
Application Date: Proposals were due Nov 12 at 5 p.m. EST. Projects will start after March 1, 2025. Generally, proposals are due in November
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant funds can be used to conduct a research project to explore new concepts in sustainable agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Farmer Grant projects address issues that affect farming with long-term sustainability in mind. Use of funds includes paying farmers for their time, for project-related materials, for project costs like consulting fees or soil tests, and any communications or outreach expenses associated with telling others about project results. Awards typically range from $5,000 to $30,000, depending upon a project’s complexity and duration. Applicants should only request the funding necessary for the success of their project. Farmer Grant recipients are expected to collect and manage reliable data about their project and convey this information clearly through annual and final reports.
This grant program is not meant to help start or expand farm businesses. Farmer Grant funds cannot be used for capital costs associated with building a barn, greenhouse, or other major farm fixture, nor can funds be used to start a farm, purchase durable equipment like tractors or computers, or for any utility, telephone, or other costs that would be there in the absence of the project.
The Farmer Grant program is open to all commercial farm business owners and farm employees in the Northeast region. This grant program accepts all types and scales of farms. To be eligible, you must meet the U.S. Census of Agriculture definition of a Farm: “Any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year.”
Northeast SARE grants are paid on a reimbursement basis, advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Proposals are limited to one per farm per year. Current grant recipients who are behind in their reporting cannot apply.
SARE Historically Underserved Farming Communities Grant (USDA SARE)
Application Date: Closed. Applications were due on January 7, 2025
This grant program funds projects that create farming and food system opportunities for historically underserved farmers/farming communities and prioritizes work that engages, and is led by, people with experience from those communities. The program seeks projects that will address the needs and serve the interests of groups that have been met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles to full participation in the agricultural system of the Northeast. Northeast SARE understands Historically Underserved Farmers to align with the USDA definition of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as those belonging to groups that have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice, including but not limited to farmers who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian or Pacific Islander. A wide variety of topics can be funded by this grant program, including but not limited to:
- The study and/or promotion of culturally appropriate best management practices
- Production of specialty, ethnic, and medicinal crops
- Climate-smart agricultural practices
- Urban and indigenous agriculture systems
- Equitable access to markets for agricultural products
- Equitable acquisition of farming and marketing infrastructure
- Budgeting, financial planning, accounting, tax and insurance management education
- Capacity and relationship building related to sustainable agriculture
- Professional development for producers and/or people that work with them
- Programs supporting mental and physical health for producers
- Improving local and regional food access for underserved communities
- Historically Underserved farming community urban and rural partnerships
- Policy development and community capacity building
Funds may not be used for: capital costs including the purchase of land, buildings, livestock, general use machinery, orchards, greenhouses, and major improvements, fixtures or expansion expenses and normal operating expenses that would be incurred in the absence of the project such as utilities, general maintenance, or general supplies (some portion of these is covered by
the allowable indirect rate – which is up to 10% of total direct costs)
SARE Partnership Grant (USDA SARE) – Must partner with a research agency (non-profit, university, agency)
Application Date: Applications will be due April 8, 2025, but the program is not yet open for applications.
If you have a research idea or need but prefer to not take the lead on a grant you might want to consider a SARE Partnership Grant which is a grant program where a farm (or farms) work in partnership with another agency on a research project.
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Farmers Grant Program (NYS Ag and Markets) aka LAND Project Grant Program administered by NE Farmers of Color Land Trust
Application Date: Check website for future rounds.
The New York State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Enacted Aid to Localities Budget (Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2022) established a program for grants to socially and economically disadvantaged farmers. This funding is intended to increase access to start-up capital, marketing activities, purchase of farmland, machinery equipment or livestock, or capital infrastructure amongst Socially and Economically Disadvantaged (SED) farmers. The program is being administered by the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust and there is information about the program on this website: LAND Project Grant Program | Funding New York’s farmers to seed a more sustainable future.
Value Added Producer Grant (USDA Rural Development)
Application Date: April 17, 2025
USDA’s annual grant program for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. The maximum planning grant is $75,000 and the maximum working capital grant is $250,000. Each requires a 100% match of the requested grant amount.
NEW for 2025! USDA has developed a VAPG Grant Application Portal to apply to VAPG that allows you to work collaboratively on a VAPG Grant Proposal with a consultant, family member or other technical assistance provider. There is a user guide for the application portal
Grants are awarded through a national competition. You may receive priority if you are a:
• Beginning farmer or rancher.
• Veteran farmer or rancher.
• Socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
• Small or medium-sized farm and ranch structured as a family farm.
• Farmer or rancher cooperative.
• Proposing a mid-tier value chain.
Program Funding 2025: Approximately $30 million in total available funding.
Maximum Grant Amount 2025: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000.
Matching Funds Requirements: Matching funds requirement of 100 percent of the grant amount required for all applications.
Who may apply for this program? Agricultural producers (includes harvesters and steering committees), agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply for this program.
Are you eligible for the VAPG program? A VAPG Self-Assessment survey is available to assist you with determining potential eligibility for the VAPG program. The VAPG Self-Assessment survey is not a requirement to start the VAPG application process, but it is a helpful tool in assisting agricultural producers with determining potential eligibility for the program. All potential applicants are encouraged to complete the short survey. VAPG Self-Assessment Survey
How may funds be used? Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product.
Examples of planning activities include:
• Conducting feasibility studies.
• Developing business plans.
• Developing marketing plans for the proposed value-added product.
Examples of working capital expenses include:
• Processing costs.
• Marketing and advertising expenses.
• Some inventory and salary expenses.