RAFI-USA is accepting applications for the 2023 Beginning Farmers Stipend, a new granting program.
Donor Name: Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/13/2023
Size of the Grant: $3,000 – $5,000
Details:
Stipends support the success of beginning farmers by helping to reduce financial barriers and may be used to cover farming start-up and/or production costs.
Funding Information
Individual applicants may request between $3,000 – $5,000 in funding.
Use of Fund
- Funds will be used to support beginning farmers of color in meeting their farming goals.
- This stipend is intended to help cover costs that limit your ability to start, run, or grow your desired farming operation.
- Funding may support building new infrastructure; buying tools and equipment; covering operating costs such as seeds, compost, or marketing materials; completing farm repairs and maintenance; or hiring additional farm labor.
- Please note stipend funds are taxable income.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only persons identifying as farmers of color may apply.
- This funding is intended to support farmers with less than three years of experience as a principal operator, who are committed to owning and operating a viable, sustainable farm business.
- You must be the owner or co-owner of the farming operation or plan to launch your farm business in 2023.
- You must be farming or ranching in the U.S. Southeast: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA.
- Farmers producing any agricultural product, at any scale, and for any market, are invited to apply.
Eligible applications will be scored on the basis of four main criteria:
- Impact on Farm Viability – How will this project improve the viability and sustainability of the farm?
- Farmer Commitment – How has the farmer invested time and resources towards their farming goal beyond applying for this grant?
- Plan and Capacity – Is the plan thorough, detailed and realistic?
- Need – Will receiving this grant make the project possible?
Funding priority will be given to proposals with:
- High expected impact
- Clear farmer commitment
- Strong project planning and feasibility
- Demonstrated individual financial need, or location in an economically disadvantaged area
For more information, visit RAFI-USA.