Grants for Growers
New to Farm Grants? Start Here.
If you've never applied for a grant before, you're not alone.
One of the biggest misconceptions in agriculture is that grants are simply "free money." In reality, grants are competitive funding programs designed to support specific goals, projects, or industries. The strongest applications typically demonstrate a clear plan, measurable outcomes, and alignment with the grant's objectives.
Before spending hours on an application, take these five steps:
1. Confirm You're Eligible
This sounds obvious, but it's where many applicants lose time.
Some grants are available to individual farmers and ranchers. Others are only available to nonprofits, educational institutions, cooperatives, tribes, processors, or government entities.
Always start by reviewing the eligibility requirements.
2. Start With a Specific Project
Most grants don't fund general farm operations.
Instead, they fund projects.
Examples might include:
Installing irrigation improvements
Conducting on farm research
Launching a new value added product
Expanding processing capacity
Developing educational programming
Implementing conservation practices
The more clearly defined your project, the easier it becomes to identify grants that may be a good fit.
3. Gather Your Farm Information Early
Many applications request information such as:
Business structure
Farm history
Acreage and production details
Project budget
Timeline
Expected outcomes
Having these materials organized before a funding opportunity opens can save significant time later.
4. Don't Be Discouraged by Rejection
Many successful grant recipients were not funded on their first attempt.
Competition can be intense, and a rejection does not necessarily mean the project wasn't worthwhile. Often, applicants refine their proposals and apply again in future funding cycles.
5. Look Beyond the Money
Even if a grant isn't the right fit, the application process can help clarify business goals, budgets, timelines, and project priorities.
Sometimes building the project plan itself ends up being a valuable opportunity.
Where Can You Get Help?
If you're new to grants, consider reaching out to:
Your local OSU Extension office
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Local conservation districts
Farm incubator and beginning farmer programs
These organizations can often help identify programs that align with your goals and point you toward technical assistance resources.
Grant Opportunities to Explore
1. Brighter Future Fund
Who it's for: Farmers, ranchers, landowners, and agricultural organizations working to improve farmland access, stewardship, and long term agricultural viability.
Offered by: American Farmland Trust
Funding Focus: Projects that help keep farmland in production, support agricultural communities, and strengthen the future of farming.
Why it may be worth exploring: If your work involves farmland preservation, access to land, conservation, or community-based agricultural initiatives, this program may be a good fit.
Application Deadline: Check current funding cycle details on the program website.
Learn More: https://farmland.org/bff-national
2. Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP)
Who it's for: State departments of agriculture and qualified organizations working on projects that benefit specialty crop industries across multiple states.
Offered by: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Funding Focus: Research, marketing, education, and industry development projects that strengthen specialty crop production and markets.
Why it may be worth exploring: Individual growers generally do not apply directly, but many programs, resources, and industry initiatives available to specialty crop producers are funded through grants like this.
Application Deadline: Varies by funding cycle.
Learn More: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scmp
3. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)
Who it's for: Universities, nonprofits, extension services, tribal organizations, and agricultural groups providing education and training to beginning farmers and ranchers.
Offered by: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Funding Focus: Beginning farmer education, mentorship, business planning, production skills, and technical assistance.
Why it may be worth exploring: While individual farmers do not apply directly, many beginning farmer programs, incubators, workshops, and educational opportunities are funded through BFRDP grants.
Application Deadline: June 16, 2026
Learn More: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/beginning-farmer-rancher-development-program
4. Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP)
Who it's for: Meat and poultry processors looking to expand capacity, modernize facilities, or strengthen regional processing infrastructure.
Offered by: USDA Rural Development
Funding Focus: Facility expansion, equipment, workforce development, and projects that increase local and regional processing capacity.
Why it may be worth exploring: Processing remains one of the largest bottlenecks for many livestock producers. Expanding local processing capacity can benefit entire agricultural communities.
Application Deadline: Check current funding announcement for active deadlines and eligibility.
5. Western SARE Grants
Who it's for: Farmers, ranchers, researchers, educators, nonprofits, and agricultural professionals throughout the western United States.
Offered by: Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Funding Focus: Sustainable agriculture research, on farm trials, demonstration projects, education, and innovation.
Why it may be worth exploring: Western SARE offers some of the most accessible and practical funding opportunities available to producers, particularly those interested in testing new practices, improving efficiency, or sharing knowledge with other growers.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by grant category and funding program.
Learn More: https://western.sare.org/Grants/
A Final Thought
Many growers spend years searching for the perfect grant opportunity. In my opinion, the most successful applicants start with a project they already want to accomplish and then look for funding sources that align with that goal.
Grants can be an excellent tool, but they work best when they're supporting a clear plan—not creating one.
If you're exploring farmland, evaluating a farm business opportunity, or simply trying to better understand the resources available to growers in Oregon, I'd be happy to point you toward additional programs and contacts that may help. Reach out and let’s connect!