Honoring National Farmer’s Day with Six Agriculture Grants

National Farmer’s Day, which was previously Old Farmer’s Day, is a day to remember and thank all farmers for the work they do in the U.S. The day, which falls on Oct. 12, pays tribute to the agriculture industry as well.

GrantWatch has a category specifically for farming and agriculture grants.

The agriculture industry makes up a huge part of the U.S. economy. The Economic Research sector of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that agriculture and food-related industries supplied $1.109 trillion to the national gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. The industry has a direct hand in the production of many every-day items, including clothes, crayons, and food. Farmlands also provide a more suitable habitat for wildlife.

According to USDA, the industry was facing financial distress before the COVID-19 outbreak. “Investment in equipment was down, farmer debt was up, and so was borrowing against land. By the end of 2019, the delinquency rate on commercial loans hit a six-year high, and the delinquency rate on farmland loans was at its highest level since 2013.”

However, after the pandemic, farmers were facing even more problems. Since many people were sheltering in place and not going to restaurants as much, food demand declined by these businesses and isolated farmers from some of their biggest buyers. This lack of demand led to a decline in agricultural commodity prices.

In order to ensure farmers continue benefitting the environment and the overall economy, it is crucial to get them funding. Grants can provide farmers with the money they need for housing, equipment, research, sustainability improvements, and so much more.

So in honor of National Farmer’s Day, here are six grants that are currently available on GrantWatch for farmers.

Helping Farmers Keep Their Businesses Going

1. Up to $25,000 to Minnesota farmers to modernize and improve livestock-related equipment and infrastructure. Priority will go to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and new farmers, immigrants, veterans, women, and farmers with disabilities.
2. Grants and loans to provide farmworkers with off-farm housing and related facilities. Funding is available U.S. and Territories nonprofit organizations, government agencies, farmers and farmers associations, and tribes.
3. Funding of up to $20,000 is also available to U.S. and territories farmers, food processors, producers, and distributors. The funding is for businesses impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
4. There are grants of up to $30,000 for U.S. commercial farmers and food producers in eligible states to enhance agriculture. In addition, applicants must operate farms in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. 
5. Grants to U.S. farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, and farmer organizations in multiple states and territories for innovative agricultural research projects. The purpose of the program is to allow farmers to test a solution to a production or marketing problem on a small scale. 
6. Finally, there are grants of up to $75,000 available to assist farmers and agricultural professionals in improving sustainability in agricultural production. The funding is for U.S. IHEs, agencies, producers, and nonprofit organizations in multiple western states and Pacific territories.

GrantNews Notes

GrantWatch also has a category exclusively for small business grants that might include funding for agricultural businesses.

Make sure to sign up for a paid subscription to GrantWatch to gain access to all of the tools available for grant seekers and the complete information to all of the grants listed. And paid subscribers can access our exact keyword search tool to narrow down the focus of what funding you need for your critical initiative.