Current Funding Opportunities

MAY

Farm Credit East Farmers Market Grant | Deadline: May 15th

 

Goals:  Funds will support participating farmers, market enhancements, marketing efforts and/or programs to support disadvantaged communities or improve access to fresh, local food. Note that these grants are intended for public markets where multiple farms sell products, not for individual farm markets.

Eligibility Factors: Farmers markets must be within Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Preference will be given to worthy applicants who are seeking support for the first time. Special consideration will also be given to markets serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh, local food.

Funding Limitations:  Award maximum is $500.

 
 
 

Goals: The purpose of this program is to advance Commonwealth goals and objectives, leverage collective resources, and support commercial projects designed to increase the production, processing, and marketing of produce grown and sold in urban centers across the Commonwealth. Expenditures will promote strategies to address food insecurity and to increase access of fresh, local produce in urban neighborhoods with a high concentration of low-moderate income residents.

Eligibility Factors: Eligible applicants are Massachusetts municipalities, nonprofit organizations, public or non-profit educational or public health institutions, and established urban farmer with more than three (3) years of commercial urban farming experience.

Funding Limitations:  Funding is anticipated to be awarded in amounts up to $50,000. Applicants are required to demonstrate a cash match of 25% of total project costs for projects over $15,000.

Anticipated Timeline: Estimate award date August 2025. Projects must be completed by June 30th, 2026.

 

JUNE

 

Catalyzing Regional Dairy Workforce Grant | Deadline: June 5th

 

Goals: Funds will support the development, expansion, and operations of existing dairy workforce programs that are ready to expand services that will benefit existing and potential employees of dairy farms and dairy processors. Programs supported may be federally registered apprenticeships, state registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships, or other training programs. Projects funded through this grant will focus on expansion and enhancement of program operations, program services, and participant support.

Eligibility Factors: Grants are available to applicants in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants from outside of the region may apply if they currently provide services within the Northeast region. Applicants must be an organization or business that currently provides dairy workforce programming in the Northeast or that currently serves Northeast participants.

Funding Limitations: Grants will range from $20,000 – $100,000. No match is required in this program. Available funds: up to $800,000.

Anticipated Timeline: Estimate award date July 2025. Projects must be completed by July 31st, 2026.

 

MDAR Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP)| Deadline: June 18th

 

Goals: The Program seeks to support farmers in cultivating climate resiliency, mitigating climate change, safeguarding natural resources, increasing energy efficiency, promoting renewable energy, improving on-farm food safety, while enhancing economic resiliency.

Eligibility Factors: Applicants must be an agricultural operation, as defined by M.G.L. c. 128, Section 1A, that is engaged in the business of production agriculture within the Commonwealth. The property included in the proposed project must be in active agricultural use and managed by the applicant for a minimum of the previous three years prior to the application date.

Funding Limitations: Applicants can submit proposals under 1-3 categories (Food Safety, Environmental, Energy). Maximum funding per category is $50,000. Maximum funding if applying for all three categories is $150,000. This grant requires a 20% match of total project costs.

Anticipated Timeline: Estimated award date October 2025. Projects must be completed by July 31st, 2026. Contract end date is June 30th 2026.