Current Funding Opportunities
June
National Farm Viability Grant | Deadline: June 18th
Goals: This grant supports farmers and ranchers across the United States by providing direct financial assistance to strengthen operations and help farms and ranches remain resilient, viable, and well-positioned for the future.
Eligibility Factors: Eligible applicants are for-profit farmers or ranchers located in the United States who are intentionally engaged in terrestrial, soil-based agricultural production—such as crop or livestock operations, including agroforestry and silvopasture. The operation must have produced more than $1,000 in agricultural products sold, bartered, or exchanged in the most recent growing year.
Funding Limitations: Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $10,000 per project. A project may involve one or more individual farmers or farm families. Only one grant can be awarded per farmer/farm family.
Anticipated Timeline: Applicants will be notified of funding decisions via email by Aug. 31, 2026. AFT will aim to disburse grant funds to awardees approximately 90 days after the award agreement is signed.
August
New England Food Vision Prize | Deadline: August 7th
Goals: The 2026 New England Food Vision Prize will award up to $1.5 million to collaborative farm to school initiatives and local sourcing efforts across the region. Winning Prizes will increase student access to healthy, locally produced ingredients and build consistent and reliable demand from schools, colleges, and universities.
Eligibility Factors: Primary Applicant
The primary applicant is the lead partner on the Prize and if awarded, will be responsible for managing and distributing funds amongst other partners on the team. The primary applicant is also responsible for providing written and verbal reports to the foundation. Primary applicant must be one of the following:
- K–12 schools, school districts, colleges, universities, and schools with 501(c)(3) public charity status
- 501(c)(3) public charities
- Governmental entities or affiliated organizations that are eligible to receive 501(c)(3) funding
- Federally recognized Tribes
- Indian Tribal governments (IRS, section 7871)
- Organizations applying via a 501(c)(3) public charity fiscal sponsor
Applicant Teams
We encourage collaborative approaches to Prize projects. At least one educational institution (K–12 or higher education) must be identified as both a direct beneficiary and an active partner in the project, and a letter of support from this institution will be required. All applicants and project partners must be based in New England.
Prize applicant teams may include:
- Colleges and universities
- K–12 schools or school districts
- Farms / fishers / producers
- Food hubs and aggregators
- Processors
- Network organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Municipal departments/initiatives
- Additional institutions (ex: healthcare)
- For-profit business (* ineligible to be a primary applicant)
Funding Limitations: $1.5 million total funding available. Prize requests can range from $25,000 – $100,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Application period opens June 30th, 2026; application deadline is August 7th, 2026. Awards will be announced October 2026. Awardees have two years to complete the project.
ROLLING APPLICATIONS, NO DEADLINE
Dairy Promotion Grant for Farmers
Goals: This grant program provides funding to eligible individuals and organizations for activities that improve public perception of dairy farming and/or increase consumption of local dairy products.
Eligibility Factors: Eligible applicants include:
- Dairy farmers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont (applicants must be associated with the production of cow’s milk)
- Retired dairy farmers or agriculture advocates, in partnership with an active dairy producer
- Agriculture organizations (FFA, Farm Bureau, 4-H, etc.) within our five state region
Funding Limitations: $2,400 in funding annually is available per farm.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply at least six weeks prior to your event or activity. Applicants will be notified by email of approval or denial, as well as the total funding amount. You can expect a decision within three weeks of submitting your grant application. Approved applicants will receive funding approximately two weeks after we receive your completed grant paperwork, which includes an LOA, W9, and other documents. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025. Grant recipients are required to submit a grant report after completion of the event or activity to remain eligible in the next calendar year.
Goals: The Black Farmers Learn educational subsidy will pay tuition or registration fees of up to $500 for Black farmers or land stewards who wish to expand their knowledge or skills via a self-identified training program. This program honors education from structured sources available to the public; this includes schools, farming institutions, land or agricultural collectives, and conferences or training that offer to deepen skills and increase farming capacity.
Eligibility Factors: This program is available to Black farmers or land stewards who are members of the Northeast Farmers of Color (NEFOC) Network and are pursuing publicly available, structured education programs.
Funding Limitations: This program will pay tuition or registration fees up to $500.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications are accepted the first week of every month.
Goals: The goal of this award is to support farmers' self-care needs. Examples include dinner with friends and family, deep tissue massage, gym or yoga membership, therapy sessions, family fun day and more.
Eligibility Factors: Farmers and ranchers operating in the contiguous United States, including all U.S. territories, have an annual farming income of $1,000 or more, and have never received a Real Farmer Care self-care award before.
Funding Limitations: Awards are $100 per applicant. Grants will be distributed via Visa/Mastercard e-gift cards.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications will be accepted and reviewed in the order in which they are received. Funds will be awarded when available and award distribution will occur in seasonal rounds. Applications submitted after the initial window or beyond fund availability will be considered for funding in future rounds.
Black Farmer Fund Rapid Response Fund
Goals: The goal of this award is to provide financial support to Black Farmers and Food Business Owners experiencing a one-time emergency.
Eligibility Factors: Black Farmers and Food Business Owners operating in the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Rhode Island). The business must be in operation for at least one year. The business has demonstrated engagement, work and support with community members.
Funding Limitations: Up to $10,000 awards granted for general emergencies. For 2025 Funding Freeze/Cancellation emergency award maximum is $50,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Four rounds of funding available per year. See website for timeline.
