Current Funding Opportunities
JUNE
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.
USDA Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP)| Deadline: June 27th
Goals: This program supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products. LAMP is an umbrella program created in the 2018 Farm Bill. LAMP encompasses the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), Regional Food System Partnerships Program (RFSP), and Value-Added Producer Grants Program (VAPG). LAMP funding is divided between these grant programs.
Eligibility Factors: Eligible entities include
- Agricultural businesses and cooperatives.
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) networks and associations.
- Food councils.
- Economic development corporations.
- Local governments.
- Nonprofit and public benefit corporations.
- Producer networks or associations.
- Regional farmers’ market authorities.
- Tribal governments.
Funding Limitations: Funding amounts range from $50,000 to $250,000 depending on grant program. Most programs require cost share contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total Federal portion of the grant.
JULY
MDAR Cranberry Enhancement and Renovation Program | Deadline: July 24th
Goals: The Cranberry Renovation & Enhancement Program supports cranberry growers in revitalizing and improving their operations. This program provides funding for both renovation projects aimed at
upgrading existing cranberry bogs, as well as enhancement initiatives that increase productivity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
Eligibility Factors: Applicant must be an agricultural operation as defined by M.G.L. c. 128, § 1A that are principally and substantially engaged in the business of cranberry production for production purposes; The property must be in active agricultural use and managed by the applicant for at least the three (3) years previous to the date of application; Are bogs greater than one (1) acre in size and in agricultural use as set forth in 310 CMR 10.04;
Funding Limitations: Maximum funding is $25,000 per acre, up to $125,000 for renovations. Maximum funding for enhancement projects is 80% of total project costs up to $50,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Estimated award date October 2025. All charges must be invoiced by June 30th, 2026. Final Project Summary Report may be due August 11, 2026.
Organic Dairy Product Promotion Grant | Deadline: July 31th
Goals: This grant is designed to facilitate an increase of regionally produced USDA organic certified products in youth serving organizations. This unique opportunity is part of a national initiative to increase the consumption of organic dairy among children and young adults while supporting partnerships with, and networks of, small and mid-sized organic dairy producers. Funded projects will address expansion of current organic dairy procurement or addition of organic dairy products.
Eligibility Factors: This grant is available to licensed dairy processors, distributors and youth institutions within the Northeast (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont).
Funding Limitations: Grants will range from $50,000 – $500,000 with no match requirement. Funds available: $1,750,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Applicants will be notified of award status August 2025. Final report due no later than September 2027.
AUGUST
Dairy Processor Modernization Grant | Deadline: August 14th
Goals: Funds will support dairy processors and dairy brands in modernizing their production to allow for increased processing of regional dairy, long-term business viability, and ability to meet consumer demands. Projects funded through this grant will focus primarily on acquiring specialized equipment for dairy processing that offers benefits such as increased capacity, higher efficiency, reduced energy usage, increased quality, or ability to produce new or higher-value products.
Eligibility Factors: This grant is available to dairy processors and dairy brands that market Northeast dairy products produced by a licensed dairy processor under a co-packing or other arrangement. (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont).
Funding Limitations: Grants will range from $15,000 to $250,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required. Total funds available: $1,000,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Application release is June 26th, 2025. Applicants notified of award status September 2025. Final report due July 2026 – January 2027 depending on project.
JANUARY
Ocean Hour Grant | Deadline: January 31st
Goals: To support transition to regenerative land or sea management practices and projects that could benefit a thriving local food and fiber shed.
Eligibility Factors: Local producers who serve the 100 mile radius surrounding Newport, RI. Producers outside of the radius will be considered if your project benefits the area directly or as a learning opportunity for the region.
Funding Limitations: Typical grant awards range from $10000-$75000, with average grant size of $25000.
Anticipated Timeline: Applicants will be notified about funding decisions May 31st.
MAY
New England Food Vision Prize | Deadline: May 31st
Goals: To support innovative ideas and collaborations that result in increased regional food sourcing by New England’s educational institutions.
Eligibility Factors: The lead applicant must be a nonprofit organization, government entity, or municipality, though partnerships across the food system are required for successful applications. Farms, fisheries, food hubs, and processors are highly encouraged to be members of the application team.
Funding Limitations: Awards of $25,000 to $200,000 are available. Funding may not be used for food purchases.
Anticipated Timeline: Letters of interest should be submitted by May 31st. In July, you may receive an invitation to apply, and a full application will be due by August 9th. Recipients will be notified by October 25th and projects should be completed within two years.
ROLLING APPLICATIONS, NO DEADLINE
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Goals: To address natural resource concerns by planning and/or installing conservation practices that benefit soil, water, plants, air, and animals.
Eligibility Factors: Agricultural or aquacultural producers across the state are welcome to apply. Additional eligibility requirements may be found by contacting your local NRCS field office. Must complete a conservation plan in conjunction with NRCS before submitting an application.
Funding Limitations: Funding possibilities vary based on project. Get in touch with NRCS to learn more.
Farm Credit East FarmStart Program
Goals: To invest in new Northeast agricultural ventures showing promise of success with limited financial resources.
Eligibility Factors: Farmers, forestry producers, fishermen, farm-related service businesses and cooperatives may be eligible if they are in their first three years of business. Candidates are expected to be rural entrepreneurs or cooperatives with very little accumulated net worth and few financial resources. The applicant also must be an independent enterprise and cannot be affiliated with an established operation.
Funding Limitations: This is NOT a grant. This program offers up to $75,000 in credit for agricultural startups who are not generally eligible for conventional lending programs. Access to advisors, business plan services, and financial management software may also be available to participants at free or discounted rates.
Next Steps: Contact your local Farm Credit East office (probably Middleboro) or email farmstart@farmcrediteast.com.
APRIL
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.
ROLLING APPLICATIONS, NO DEADLINE
Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP)
Goals: To increase access to healthy, affordable food in low-income, underserved areas through grants, loans, and business assistance.
Eligibility Factors: Eligible businesses include farm stands, grocery & corner stores, farmers’ markets, food hubs, and more. Must expand food access in underserved areas and align with community needs. Eligible applicants likely accept SNAP, HIP, or WIC. For-profits, non-profits, and cooperatives are all eligible. Preference will be given to applicants who have 3 years of operating experience and who have not previously received state funding.
Funding Limitations: Grants available from $5,000 to $25,ooo. Loans available from $15,000 to $300,000. Funds may be used for capital expenses, real estate, and more.
If you represent a funding organization or have knowledge of funding opportunities for farmers and food producers that are not listed here, please contact hpuder@semaponline.org.
Additional Assistance & Resources
SEMAP can assist you in your grant application process in several ways. We can review your application once you are ready to submit, we can walk you through it from start-to-finish, and/or we can write a letter of support for your project. If you would like in-depth, start-to-finish assistance, please use this form. If you would like a review or letter of support, please email hpuder@semaponline.org. Keep in mind that, as a small organization, SEMAP will require at least 5 business days of notice ahead of any application deadlines.
We hosted a virtual workshop on grant-writing in Fall 2021. While we specifically looked at the Food Security Infrastructure Grant, some of the lessons learned can be applied to grant-writing broadly, especially for state grant programs. You can view the recording and read our notes.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) hosted a virtual walk-through of most of their recurring grant programs in March 2023. This covers CSAP, AFSIP, FVEP, MEGA, AIP, and more. Watch the recording and read more about all MDAR grant programs. They also provided a short general tips video here.
The list at the top of this page includes only grant programs currently accepting applications, but you can prepare for any grant, any time. Check out our anticipated agricultural grant calendar to plan for the coming year. Then use previous years’ RFRs (linked in the calendar) in combination with our grant funding worksheet to prepare your responses to upcoming grants. Note that you should write applications specifically towards each grant purpose, but can use this as a tool to organize your general thoughts.