State Department of Agriculture Grants

State departments of agriculture have grant programs for farmers to help maintain viable businesses and protect farmland.  The grant programs are sometimes cost sharing (requiring a farmer match), and linked to participation in technical assistance where farmers can receive planning assistance and matching funds at the same time.

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets  lists its current funding opportunities

Federal Grants

USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offers cost sharing for farm improvements funded through the Farm Bill.  The types of eligible projects may change over time and vary by region. Some types of eligible projects include payments for conservation practices, as well as projects like deer fencing, wells and compost pads.

To apply for NRCS programs, contact your local NRCS office using the NRCS locator.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) publishes a Grassroots Guide to the Farm Bill and outlines deadlines and requirements for all NRCS and FSA programs on their Farm Bill Programs and Grants page. 

The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) is an excellent source of current information on federal agricultural programs.  They have a Farm Bill Help Line, a Guide to Funding for Beginning Farmers, an Ag Library of their guides, and a Newsletter which includes updates about USDA programs.

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) works with NSAC and CFRA to make Farm Bill programs more available to small, young and beginning farmers.  Their blog is a good source of information about USDA and Farm Bill programs.  You can join and receive their email updates.

Federal Government Lenders

The USDA lends money for farmers unable to access loans through commercial banks and lenders through the Farm Serving Agency (FSA). They offer loans to service a variety of financing needs, including: operating loans, farm purchase loans and guarantees with down payment matches, and emergency loans.  They lend up to $300,000 at competitive rates.

The Center for Rural Affairs has a guide to FSA programs as they apply to beginning farmers.

To apply for FSA programs, contact your local FSA office using the FSA locator.

Agricultural Lending Cooperatives

Farm Credit is a cooperative bank owned by its member farmers with local branch institutions in each state. Farm Credit provides more than $160 billion in loans, leases, and related services to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, aquatic producers, timber harvesters, agribusinesses, and agricultural and rural utility cooperatives.

Farm Credit East serves New England and New York. They have offices throughout the region. FarmStart, a program of Farm Credit East, assists beginning farmers and new cooperatives with an operating line of credit up to $50,000. Farmers in their first three years of business who have a crop history and a working business plan are best suited to the FarmStart program.

There are many opportunities to obtain funding assistance. Please remember, if you have a need, someone usually has a solution.

Veterans & Farmers Alliance, Inc.

               Farmers helping Veterans…

              ...Veterans helping Farmers