Where Can I Find Agricultural Funding Resources?

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A comprehensive guide for farmers looking to integrate solar panels into their agriculture practices. Addresses the pros and cons of agrivoltaic systems, along with guidance on land leasing and solar panel acquisition.

The following list was compiled by:

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
National Agricultural Library
U.S. Department of Agriculture
10301 Baltimore Ave. Room 123
Beltsville, MD 20705 (AFSIC)
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Reviewed March 2017

  1. Grants and Loans for Farmers
    USDA. National Agricultural Library. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.
    https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/grants-and-loans-farmers
    This Web page identifies financial support for small farms and farm-related businesses available from a variety of Federal, state and local agencies and from non-governmental organizations.
  2. Small Farm Funding Resources
    USDA. National Agricultural Library. Rural Information Center.
    https://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/small-farm-funding-resources
    View a video to this guide.
    This online guide and video “contain information about issues to consider before starting a farming operation with links to full-text guides on how to start a farm business, and develop business and marketing plans.” The guide identifies funding programs for beginning and experienced farmers, technical assistance contacts, disaster assistance, and organizations with resources.
  3. A Guide to Funding Resources
    USDA. National Agricultural Library. Rural Information Center.
    https://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/guide-to-funding-resources
    The “Funding Resources” section of A Guide to Funding Resources includes links to searchable databases offering funding opportunities from government and/or private sources that are available to local governments, community organizations, and individuals. It provides web links to more than forty full-text online guides and tips to assist grantwriters prepare successful proposals.
  4. Sustainable Agriculture Research Funding Resources
    USDA. National Agricultural Library. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.
    https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/sustainable-agriculture-research-funding-resources
    “This fact sheet lists U.S. government and non-government entities that provide funding for research activities related to sustainable agriculture including organic farming and food, integrated pest management, water quality issues related to agriculture, rural community and small farm topics, alternative and value-added marketing practices, and more. Emphasis is on research funds.”
  5. ATTRA – the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
    • Funding Opportunities
      https://attra.ncat.org/calendar/funding.php
      This list features sustainable agriculture-related funding information updated weekly and searchable by date and keyword.
    • Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities: A Guide to Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Entrepreneurship, Conservation, Food Systems, and Community Development.
      Krome, Margaret (MFAI), George Reistad (MFAI), and NSAC’s policy staff. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2009, updated October 2014. 86 p.
      https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=279
      This guide addresses federal “program resources in community development; sustainable land management; and value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry.”
  6. United States Department of Agriculture
  7. Types of State Agricultural Finance Programs
    National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs.
    http://www.stateagfinance.org/types-of-state-ag-loan-programs
    Provides an overview of the funding programs offered by many state agricultural departments. The Directory of State by State Agricultural Loan Programs provides more detail and contacts: http://www.stateagfinance.org/uploads/2014%20NCO%20Directory.pdf
  8. Grants.gov
    http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html
    A partnership of 26 Federal Agencies which directs grant seekers to over 1,000 funding programs offered across Federal grant-making Agencies.
  9. Agricultural Marketing Resource Center
    http://www.agmrc.org/
    Addresses marketing and business planning for U.S. agricultural producers.

Source: https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/where-can-i-find-agricultural-funding-resources