SARE Producer Grant
USDA
About the Grant
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program designed to support farmers and ranchers in southern states.
Producer Grants are designed to help farmers and ranchers test sustainable agriculture ideas. The annual application process opens in September with grant amounts up to $25,000 awarded the following February.
Notes
This is an annual grant program. The 2025 deadline for grant applications is December 5.
Related Grants
APUC Grant
ND Dept. of Agriculture
The Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) creates new wealth through the development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota's agricultural products through a grant program. The first 15 qualifying applicants are invited to present funding proposals on a quarterly basis for the following grant categories: -Basic and Applied Research -Marketing and Utilization -Farm Diversification -Technical Assistance -Nature Based Agri-Tourism -Prototype Development and Technology
Beet Curly Top Virus Control Program Grants
CA Department of Food and Agriculture
Purpose: The Program may consider funding projects that develop new management methods for treating the beet leafhopper (BLH), or development of enhancements to other program areas that will mitigate the virus. The funding will be based on the researcher using a no pesticide alternative or Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) approved pesticides registered for use in CA on BLH and/or on rangeland/hillside. Project Scope: The Beet Curly Top Virus Control Program (BCTVCP) may consider funding projects that develop new management methods for treating the beet leafhopper (BLH), the primary vector of the beet curly top virus or development of enhancements to other program areas that will mitigate the virus. The funding will be based on the researcher using a no pesticide alternative or Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) approved pesticides registered for use in CA on BLH and/or on rangeland/hillside.
California Forest Improvement Program
CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Purpose: The purpose of the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) is to encourage private and public investment in, and improved management of, California forest lands and resources, to ensure adequate high quality timber supplies, related employment and other economic benefits, and the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of a productive and stable forest resource system for the benefit of present and future generations. Description: The program scope includes the improvement of all forest resources including fish and wildlife habitat, and soil and water quality. Cost-share assistance is provided to private and public ownerships containing 20 to 5,000 acres of forest land. Cost-shared activities include: Preparation of a Forest Management Plan by a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and RPF Supervision of the following: Reforestation, Site Preparation, Trees and Planting, Tree Shelters, Stand Improvement, Pre-commercial Thinning or Release, Pruning, Follow-up (includes mechanical, herbicide and/or slash disposal follow-up), Forestland conservation practices / fish and wildlife habitat improvement Broadcast/controlled/cultural burning is not eligible for CFIP cost share.
Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Training Project Grants
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
The goal of the training grant program is to enhance the quality and availability of safety training for United States commercial fishermen. Availability includes the frequency, geographic considerations, channels or partners of dissemination, culturally and/or educational appropriate training material, and other characteristics of a successful training program. As a result, the Coast Guard and NIOSH invite applications to support the development and implementation of training and education programs that: develop and deliver training which addresses the needs of commercial fishermen in the United States provide qualified marine safety instructors, or otherwise accepted by the National Maritime Center instructors and faculty to conduct the training evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the training program on reducing injuries among fishermen coordinate with existing training programs and partnerships with industry fishermen, and agencies conform to 46 U.S.C. § 4502 (i) Safety Standards for commercial fishing safety training In order to support and administer the grant program, the Coast Guard and NIOSH signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 17, 2018. While the Coast Guard, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), provides regulatory oversight for safety and health matters within the commercial fishing industry, NIOSH is an agency operating under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the mission of generating new knowledge in occupational safety and health and transferring that knowledge into practice to prevent worker injury, illness and death. NIOSH conducts and funds scientific research, develops methods to prevent occupational hazards, develops guidance and authoritative recommendations, translates scientific knowledge into products and services, disseminates information, identifies factors underlying work-related disease and injury and responds to requests for workplace health hazard evaluations.
MD Cannabis Business Assistance Fund
Maryland Department of Commerce
The Cannabis Business Assistance Loan/Grant Fund (CBAF) is a financing resource operated by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce), to provide grants and loans for small businesses, including small, minority-owned and small women-owned businesses entering the adult-use cannabis industry. CBAF may also provide grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for cannabis-related programs and to business development organizations, including incubators, to train and assist small businesses, including minority and women business owners and entrepreneurs, seeking to become licensed to participate in the adult-use cannabis industry.
MD Urban Agriculture Grant
MARBIDCO
This grant is designed to meet the needs of MAryland urban farmers by providing an incentive for beginning urban farmers to seek commercial lender financing for the development of their urban agricultural enterprises, including the purchase of a farm property in an eligible urban area. MARBIDCO has partnered with Horizon Farm Credit to establish and manage this fund.
MD Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant
Maryland Department of Commerce
Maryland's Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program provides financial assistance to individuals and corporations to establish a new winery or vineyard in the State or complete capital improvements at an existing winery or vineyard. Commerce will provide a grant to an individual or corporation for 25% of “qualified capital expenses.”
MT Growth Through Agriculture Program
MT Department of Commerce
The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering. Award Amounts: -Grants up to $50,000 -Loans up to $100,000
Maui Agricultural Micro Grant
Maui Economic Opportunity
Applications for the popular Agricultural Micro Grant Program 6.0 – which offers up to $25,000 in grants to Maui County small farmers and ranchers – will be available January 2026. The $3 million Maui County – funded program, administered by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center, is open to food producing farms on 12 acres or less, and livestock ranches up to 40 acres, possessing a State of Hawaii general excise license as of July 1, 2025. Preference will be given to women and Native Hawaiians. A limited number of grants will be set aside for flower/plant, lei making farms.
OK Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
The Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program Grants were created to broaden the state’s production of a wider array of farming products. To be eligible, grantees must be over the age of 21 and a legal resident of Oklahoma. The Product Development and Research Grant or Loans may be used to fund research, studies, or cover test market and product development costs associated with creating or expanding an agricultural business to bring a new product to market. Research must be new and original, meaning no prior studies can have been completed before. Funded research must result in a salable product in the end. Grants are up to $10,000, with awards over $2,500 having matching or in-kind requirements.
PA Farm Vitality Grant
PA Dept. of Agriculture
The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm—designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers. The grant is $15,000, covering 75% of project costs.
RI Agricultural Energy Program
RI Department of Environmental Management
As part of its continued efforts to grow Rhode Island's green economy, DEM has partnered with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to administer the RI Agricultural Energy Grant Program that provides grant awards of up to $20,000 for eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at RI Farms. This funding helps local farmers "green" their operations and benefit from the related energy and cost savings through energy efficiency projects and by transitioning to renewable power.
RI Food Export Program
Bryant University
Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is a nonprofit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Export’s goal is to provide a wide range of services to facilitate trade between Northeastern food suppliers and importers around the world. With the Branded Program, you may double your budget with 50% cost reimbursement on: -International website development -Foreign market-compliant packaging and labels -Advertising and public relations -In-store promotions and product demonstrations -Fees for exhibiting at select overseas and domestic trade shows -Marketing and point-of-sale materials -Freight costs for product samples
RI Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Program
RI Department of Environmental Management
The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Program supports a variety of activities associated with promoting the growth and sustainability of local food and seafood industries in Rhode Island. Maximum grant awards are $20,000 for qualifying farms, businesses, and individuals. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to, new or existing agricultural or fishery businesses, new product development, safety improvements, or the development of new marketing, promotion, sales, and distribution channels.
Rural Field to Market Grant
MN Entrepreneur Fund
Thanks to generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Entrepreneur Fund (EFund) is excited to launch a one-time funding of the Rural Field to Market grant that will provide direct support to small- to mid-size farm and food businesses located within our Minnesota service region.
VT Business Plan Implementation Grants
VT Agency of Agriculture
Vermont’s Farm & Forest Viability Program gives grants to program participants who’ve completed business or transfer plans. The grants range from $1,000 to $8,000 and can be used for business infrastructure construction, equipment, machinery upgrades, and energy efficiency projects.
VT Farmer Emergency Fund
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
NOFA-VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund, established in 1997, supports organic and NOFA-VT member farmers who have been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters. The NOFA-VT Farmer Emergency Fund is available to assist farmers who are in financial need after having been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters. -$2,500 grants are available for commercial farmers who are NOFA-VT members. Applying farmers will need to be NOFA-VT members in good standing for at least one year before being eligible to apply for funds. -$5,000 grants are available to any farm that is VOF certified organic. Because we want to incentivize organic certification, and because of the commitment involved in getting certified, we will waive the one-year waiting period for certified organic farms.
VT Farmer Resilience Grants
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) offers annual Farmer Resilience Grants to projects that have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact in their community. Farmers can earn between $2,000 and $5,000 for their projects.
VT Water Quality Grants
VT Agency of Agriculture
Vermont’s Farm & Forest Viability Program gives one-to-one matching grants to eligible Vermont farmers who need capital to invest in infrastructure to improve their farms’ water quality. The maximum grant amount is $50,000; farmers can use the funds to purchase equipment and make renovations and improvements to their infrastructure.
VT Working Lands Grant
VT Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) offers grants that support forest, farm, and food businesses. Grants also go to producer associations, business assistance provider organizations, and more. The state's annual budget process decides the amount of funds available each year. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) meets each summer to decide which grants to offer for the coming year based on available funds and needs across Vermont. This is an annual program that opens in September yearly. The program typically awards $10,000 to $100,000 to businesses in Vermont to fund market development, research and development, infrastructure, energy, or workforce development projects.
WI Dairy Processor Grants
WI Deparment of Agriculture
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection administers a Dairy Processor Grant program whose goal is to foster innovation, improve profitability and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing facilities. Eligible applicants must operate a licensed dairy processing plant in Wisconsin engaged in pasteurizing, processing or manufacturing milk or dairy products. Recipients are chosen through a competitive process. A total grant up to $50,000 is available per dairy processor per year. The dairy processor is required to provide a match of at least 20% of the grant amount.
WV Farmers Market Association Mini Grants
WV Farmers Market Association
Anyone who owns a farmers market in West Virginia can benefit from these grants of $5000. The money can be used towards either infrastructure, such as coolers, display cases, structures, etc., or marketing materials to promote your market. Besides traditional farmers’ markets, the grant is also open to roadside stands, consignment, on-farm stands, mobile markets, and online sellers.
Wolf-Livestock Compensation Grant Program
CA Department of Fish and Wildlife
Purpose: The purpose of the grant is to help mitigate the impact of wolves on livestock producers in California. The Wolf-Livestock Compensation Grant Program has established three primary areas of need and compensation; direct livestock loss from wolf depredation, the use nonlethal deterrent tools, and the compensation for indirect loss or affects from wolves on livestock. Description: The Wolf-Livestock Compensation Grant Program has three “prongs”, or potential grant opportunities, for eligible applicants: direct loss compensation, nonlethal deterrent methods support, and indirect loss compensation. This grant opportunity involves the first prong, direct loss compensation, in which producers can be compensated for direct livestock loss (death, injury) due to confirmed or probable wolf depredation. Wolf depredation is determined during an investigation and documented by CDFW on a Livestock Loss Determination form. Each reported depredation incident is unique and requires a case-by-case analysis of the evidence, context, and other factors that inform the determination process. CDFW strives to conduct investigations as soon as reasonably possible to preserve physical evidence and gather information from producers and potential eyewitnesses. Wolf depredation is “confirmed” when there is physical evidence that an animal was injured or killed by a wolf and “probable” when there is sufficient evidence to suggest wolf predation (e.g., evidence of predation and evidence that wolves were likely present at the time of injury or death), but not enough evidence to confirm it. Upon issuance of compensation for a direct loss, producers will be expected to consult with the Department to evaluate and implement a deterrent strategy that may be beneficial in reducing wolf-livestock conflict. The deterrent tools and/or actions implemented as part of this strategy may be eligible for compensation under the program’s second prong, if and when sufficient funds are available.
Wyoming Specialty Crop Program
Wyoming Department of Agriculture
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture has opened a limited grant window for agricultural businesses to apply for a grant to extend the growing season of specialty crops. The purpose is to fund research projects that extend Wyoming’s short growing season, with the results to be shared with other producers.