Farm grants & funding opportunities

Which funding fits your farm?

BAU serves growers in USDA Zones 6–9. Funding eligibility depends on the program’s applicant, location and project rules — not hardiness zone alone. This tracker includes grants, conservation assistance, loans and training; not every listing pays money directly to a farmer.

Southern SARE Producer Grant — on-farm research

Farmers and ranchers, individually or in groups, can propose sustainable production or marketing research and share the results. This competitive grant supports research, not an unrestricted farm-startup budget. Read the call and apply through Southern SARE when applications open.Southern SARE eligibility and application

NRCS EQIP — conservation financial assistance

Eligible agricultural producers can seek technical and financial assistance for conservation practices addressing natural-resource concerns. Contact your local NRCS office about eligibility, conservation planning and the applicable ranking period; assistance is subject to an approved contract, not an automatic equipment discount.NRCS EQIP application guidance

FSA beginning farmer loans — repayable financing

Eligible beginning farmers and ranchers can explore farm ownership and operating loans for land and farm operating needs. These are loans, not grants: repayments belong in your cash-flow plan. Contact FSA for direct loans or a participating commercial lender for guaranteed loans.FSA beginning farmer loan requirements

Specialty Crop Block Grants — state-led projects

State agriculture agencies apply to USDA AMS to enhance specialty-crop competitiveness. Farmers and other project applicants do not apply directly to AMS; check your state agriculture department’s project process and eligibility. A listing does not establish that an individual farm qualifies.USDA AMS program and state contacts

Before you apply

1. Read the official notice to confirm the applicant type, eligible location, project purpose and current deadline.
2. Prepare a project description, itemized budget and any required quotes, match or farm records. Ask the program contact which documents are required.
3. Confirm whether spending before approval is eligible before committing money. Follow the agency’s application and reporting requirements.

Program guidance checked against the linked official sources on October 19, 2026. This is not verification of each listing’s current deadline or award amount. Funding is not guaranteed; BAU does not award grants or automatically subtract assistance from your farm costs.