Grant Opportunities
We're always looking for resources to share, if you have a funding opportunity Send us a message.
-
The Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products.
-
The Fund-a-Farmer grant by Food Animal Concerns Trust will help fund grants for farmers seeking to become Certified Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, or Global Animal Partnership Animal Welfare Certified, grants for already welfare certified farmers to build additional capacity, and grants for farmers to improve and expand pasture for their animals. In 2023, they awarded $250,000 to 87 farms. Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on January 15th, 2024
-
The Illinois State Board of Education’s Local Food For Schools program aims to provide $7.3 million dollars in funding for school districts to purchase fresh food from local farms. Every school distrcit in Illinois that participates in the National School Lunch Program is automatically eligible to receive reimbursement for purchasing local, unprocessed food from socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. Funding is available between August 2023 and December 2024 and non competitive applications are open now for the 2023-2024 school year.
-
The Soil Health Academy Scholarship Program- In memory of soil health pioneer Kendra Brandt, the academy offers scholarships to qualifying women and/or new beginning farmers who are committed to growing the regenerative agriculture movement by implementing regenerative principles in their own operation or in regenerative agriculture education, outreach or public advocacy. Kendra Brandt scholarships provide partial tuition funding for recipients to attend a three-day SHA regenerative agriculture school and will be awarded based on the applicant’s brief narrative describing how they intend to advance the movement of regenerative agriculture on their farm and community, if selected to receive the scholarship.
-
The Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act created the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program for the development of local food processing, aggregation and distribution.
The LFIG is intended to assist Illinois applicants with purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installation of infrastructure that will increase market access of Illinois agricultural products to Illinois communities. Funding can support value-added processing, livestock processing, milling, dairy, refrigerated vehicles, food hubs, community kitchens and other critical pieces of the local food supply chain..
-
The USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program is intended to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems. Projects should address food and nutrition security, particularly amongst our nation’s most vulnerable populations. The average individual award will range from $25,000 to $35,000 for a 12-36 moth project. Deadline: 10/30/2023 at 5 PM EST
-
SARE Youth Educator Grants are competitive grants up to $4,000 for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. Application Deadlines: Vary by program.
-
USDA Community Prosperity resource matrix organizes funding opportunities available for rural and underserved communities. This resource guide includes technical, training and planning assistance as well as financial assistance. Go to page 8 for grant resources.
Open Enrollment Loan & Financing Opportunities
-
Kiva provides 0% interest loans of up to $10,000 to entrepreneurs, including urban farm businesses. To promote urban farmers’ access to capital, AUA is a proud Kiva Trustee, which means we help spread the word on these valuable resources and publicly vouch for urban farm entrepreneurs. Kiva trustees do not handle or disburse the loans. To learn more, please review the program overview and step-by-step guide to apply.
-
USDA Farm Storage Facility Loans provide up to $50,000 in low-interest financing to build or upgrade permanent facilities to store or process agricultural products. Most recently, these loans made available funding for refrigerated vehicles. Funding: Up to $500,000 per loan.
-
USDA Farm Service Agency Microloans provide up to $50,000 in financial assistance for small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm ownership or operations. Non-traditional farm operations can include truck farms, farms, direct marketing farmers, Community Supported Agriculture, restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponics, organic, and/or vertical growing methods. Maximum of $50,000.
-
USDA EZ Guarantee Loans provides $100,000 to help beginning, small underserved, and family farmers and ranchers to purchase farmland or finance agricultural operations. The USDA also added a new category of lenders, including microlenders. Funding: Up to $100,000.