Where Can I Find Agricultural Funding Resources?

Compiled by:

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
National Agricultural Library (NAL)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351

Reviewed June 2014

1. Small Farm Funding Resources
   National Agricultural Library, Rural Information Center.
   http://ric.nal.usda.gov/small-farm-funding
   View a video to this guide.
   The Rural Information Center (RIC) has compiled this funding resource from a variety of private, state, and federal online funding databases. Additional resources for finding funding for all types of activities in rural areas are available at http://ric.nal.usda.gov/funding-resources.

   For more information on their resources and/or hardcopy versions of their directories, contact:

   Rural Information Center
   10301 Baltimore Ave., Room 123
   Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
   Toll-free: 1-800-633-7701 (Nationwide)
   E-mail: http://ric.nal.usda.gov/ask-question-0

2. ATTRA - the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

   • Funding Opportunities
     https://attra.ncat.org/calendar/funding.php
     This list features sustainable agriculture-related funding information updated weekly and searchable by date and keyword.
   • Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities: A Guide to Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Entrepreneurship, Conservation, Food Systems, and Community Development.
     KroKrome, Margaret (MFAI), George Reistad (MFAI), and NSAC's policy staff. In collaboration with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
     Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2009, updated October 2014. 86 p.
     https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=279
     Available free online or $3.00 for print copies.

     "This guide is written for anyone seeking help from federal programs to foster innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. Specifically, the guide addresses program resources in community development; sustainable land management; and value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry. Thus, it can help farmers, entrepreneurs, community developers, conservationists, and many other individuals, as well as private and public organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit."

3. United States Department of Agriculture

   • Farm Service Agency
     Farm Loan Programs
     http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/index

     The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes loans to farmers and ranchers which can be used to purchase land, livestock, equipment, construct buildings and make farm improvements. Contact a FSA Service Center to learn more about programs and information:
     http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa

   • Rural Development
     http://www.rd.usda.gov/
     Programs support those in rural areas to develop and maintain public facilities and services, housing, businesses and utilities. Programs for agriculture include:
     • Value-Added Producer Grant Program
       http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants
     • Small Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant
       http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/socially-disadvantaged-groups-grant

     Local contacts may be found on USDA's Rural Development Web site at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices

   • Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
     
     • Funding Opportunities
       http://www.sare.org/Grants
       The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program offers five different types of grants for funding of relevant agricultural research projects.
     • Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses
       http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Building-a-Sustainable-Business
       Business planning guide focuses on how real farm families set goals,research processing alternatives, determine potential markets and evaluate financing options.

   • Agricultural Marketing Service
     Farmers Market Funding Opportunities
     http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/farmersmarkets
     Select 'Find Farmers Market Funding Opportunities' from the I Want To menu.
   • National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
     Grant Search http://nifa.usda.gov/page/search-grant
     Search for funding opportunities by Emphasis (or topic) and Eligibility to find programs of interest.

4. Types of State Agricultural Finance Programs
   National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs.
   http://www.stateagfinance.org/types-of-state-ag-loan-programs
   An overview of the funding programs offered by many state agricultural departments. The Directory of State Programs provides more detail and contacts: http://www.stateagfinance.org/uploads/2014%20NCO%20Directory.pdf

5. Grants.gov
   http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html
   A partnership of Federal Agencies which directs grant seekers to over 1,000 programs offered across 26 Federal grant-making Agencies.

6. Agricultural Marketing Resource Center
   http://www.agmrc.org/
   Addresses marketing and business planning for U.S. agricultural producers.