Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF): Farmer Funding Opportunities Database. The funding opportunities database allows you to easily see when grants are open for application, which on-farm activities or subjects they fund, paperwork needed for application, and more.

 

CalRecycle Organics Grant Program. The Organics Grant Program provides opportunities to lower overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by expanding existing capacity or establishing new facilities in California to reduce the amount of California-generated green materials, food materials, or alternative daily cover (ADC) being sent to landfills.

 

CA Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN)  CalCAN is a statewide coalition that advances policy to realize the powerful climate solutions offered by sustainable and organic agriculture.

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CA Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). 

SWEEP provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. The California 2021-22 State Budget allocates $40 million for drought relief, some of which will be distributed through SWEET.  

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CA Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC)  SALC is part of the Strategic Growth Council's (SGC) Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program. SALC complements investments made in urban areas with the purchase of agricultural conservation easements, development of agricultural land strategy plans, and other mechanisms that result in GHG reductions and a more resilient agricultural sector.

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CA Department of Water Resources (DWR) Grants and Loans.  DWR offers a number of grant and loan programs that support integrated water management activities addressing environmental stewardship, water supply reliability, public safety, and economic stability. Public agencies are eligible for most DWR grant and loan programs, but other applicants may also be eligible, depending upon the program.

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CA Department of Conservation (DOC) Grants and Loans.  DOC offers financial incentive programs to further California's goals to conserve agricultural lands, restore and manage watersheds, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

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Carl Moyer Program (California)  The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program provides grant funding for cleaner-than-required engines, equipment, and other sources of air pollution. 

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The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF). NAAF provides grants to eligible organizations for business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services to support Native farmers and ranchers. The charitable trust was created by the settlement of the landmark Keepseagle v. Vilsack class-action lawsuit. NAAF is the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving the Native American farming and ranching community.

 

Center for Nutrition Studies - Community Grants. The T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies (CNS) is committed to increasing awareness of the extraordinary impact that food has on the health of our bodies, our communities, and our planet. In support of this commitment, CNS is creating a Community Grants service initiative to empower sustainable food-based initiatives around the world. We'll do this by providing grants to enable innovative start-ups and to propel the growth of existing initiatives. 

 

Sustainable Agriculture Funding Resources (NAL/USDA)  This USDA National Agriculture Library (NAL) Sustainable Agriculture Information Access Tools tutorial identifies outstanding sources of sustainable agriculture, research and information, contacts and experts, funding sources, educational and career opportunities, and upcoming events.

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USDA - Beginning Farmer & Rancher Loan Program. If you’re new to farming or ranching, access to capital is one of your biggest needs, whether it’s to purchase property or equipment, or to meet operating costs.  USDA offers a variety of loans, which can help producers start or grow their operations.

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USDA Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Development Grant Program.  The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers.

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USDA - Organic Transitions Program (ORG).  ORG's overall goal is to support the development and implementation of research, extension, and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices.

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USDA/NIFA: Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). OREI seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities. The program will fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. 

 

USDA - AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program promotes the sustainable supply of abundant, affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible food and other agricultural products while enhancing economic opportunities and improving the long-term health and well-being of all Americans.

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USDA - Environmental Quality Incentives Program.  The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against increasing weather volatility.

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USDA Farm Loan Discovery Tool. Answer a few short questions to learn about USDA farm loans that might be right for you. USDA also offers other funding opportunities to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners finance their business.

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USDA - Small BusinessInnovation Research Program (SBIR). SBIR offers competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits. The program stimulates technological innovations in the private sector and strengthens the role of federal research and development in support of small businesses. SBIR also fosters and encourages participation by women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses.

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USDA - Funding.  USDA offers a variety of funding opportunities to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners finance their businesses. 

 

Western States Sustainable Research and Education (SARE)  SARE offers competitive grants to fund research and education projects that advance sustainable agricultural practices in the United States.  

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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner.

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Kids Gardening. Finding the financial resources to plant and maintain a youth garden is one of the biggest obstacles educators and volunteers face, so in addition to providing our own grant programs, here is a list of some additional grant opportunities that support youth garden programs

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Kiss the Ground. Kiss the Ground is committed to helping farmers and ranchers transition to regenerative agriculture and reduce the financial barriers and risks that come with it. Starting in November 2024, Kiss the Ground will award a total of:

$200K to farmers and ranchers for in-person training, and $300K for equipment, supplies, and infrastructure.

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Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive (Co-Fed).  CoFED (Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive) is a QBPOC-led organization that partners with young folks of color from poor and working-class backgrounds to meet our communities' needs through food and land co-ops.

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Food Community Benefit/Healthy Food Access Interventions.  Funding sources for a set of healthy food access interventions that may be part of community benefit implementation strategies to promote healthy eating and healthier community food environments and reduce the risk of diet-related health conditions.

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Zero Foodprint. Zero Foodprint (ZFP) supports a growing movement of farmers and ranchers who want to use their land to solve climate change but need funding to implement regenerative farming practices. Together, ZFP restaurants, diners, food brands, and farmers crowd-fund grants for farmers to switch to renewable farming practices.

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Regenerative Agriculture Foundation. RAF is an intermediary funder that collaborates
with foundations, investors, nonprofits, community leaders, and land stewards
to advance regenerative agriculture and develop solutions to climate change and other global challenges.

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Sustainable Agriculture and Food Funders. SAFSF amplifies the impact of philanthropic and investment communities in support of just and sustainable food and agriculture systems.

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CCOF Foundation (Central Coast) 0rganic Farm Transition.  CCOF advances organic agriculture by advocating for organic policies, supporting the growth of organic farming through education and grants, and providing organic certification.

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