Agriculture Grant Programs
Farm programs, rural development, food assistance, conservation, and forestry.
Category overview. The Agriculture category groups 52 active federal assistance programs from the SAM.gov Assistance Listings catalog. These programs run across 2 distinct federal agencies, with the heaviest concentration at U.S. Department of Agriculture (51 programs), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (1 program). Every listing feeds into the Grants.gov announcement system, where agencies publish their Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) with specific deadlines, forms, and evaluation criteria. Categories exist to help applicants find relevant programs quickly, but each program has its own authorizing legislation and rules.
Funding scale. SAM.gov publishes funding range data for 52 of the 52 agriculture programs. The largest listed award ceiling in this category is $25.0 million, and the median ceiling across programs with published ranges is $1.0 million. Published award ranges reflect the envelope across all awards a program may issue in a year, not the amount any single applicant should expect. Appropriations, applicant pool size, and scoring all shape the final allocation. First-time applicants are wise to read several historical award announcements in a category to calibrate realistic project budgets.
Who applies. Across the 52 agriculture programs, the most frequently listed eligibility categories are state local gov (20 programs), educational institution (18 programs), for profit small business (17 programs). Every applicant must hold an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID (UEI), regardless of entity type. Nonprofits should keep their IRS determination letter on file; state and local governments route submissions through an authorizing official; tribal organizations apply under set-aside rules; educational institutions typically work through an institutional pre-award office. The PlainGrants agriculture listings link directly to each program's CFDA page, where you can check current eligibility, funding range, open Grants.gov opportunities, and the administering agency.
52 active agriculture programs:
Agricultural Experiment Stations
Funds for research at land-grant colleges on problems related to agriculture, forestry, and rural life.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $10M
Agricultural Management Assistance
Helps agricultural producers in states where crop insurance is generally not adequate to manage risk.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $50K
Agricultural Market Development and Trade
Grants to expand commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products.
Eligible: nonprofit · for profit small business
Up to $5M
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
Competitive grants supporting fundamental and applied research, education, and extension in food and agricultural sciences.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $3M
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
Education, training, and technical assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers to develop farm businesses.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $750K
Biomass Crop Assistance Program
Financial assistance to establish and produce biomass energy crops for energy production facilities.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $100K
Broadband Grants and Loans
Loans and grants to provide and improve broadband service in rural areas lacking adequate service.
Eligible: for profit small business · state local gov
Up to $25M
Commodity Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments
Nonrecourse marketing loans for feed grains, wheat, cotton, oilseeds, peanuts, and other commodities.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $500K
Community Facilities Loans and Grants
Loans and grants to develop essential community facilities in rural areas including healthcare, education, and public safety.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit · tribal gov
Up to $2M
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Annual rental payments to farmers who remove environmentally sensitive land from production for conservation.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $200K
Cooperative Extension Service
Formula grants to land-grant universities for research, education, and extension of knowledge in agriculture and related sciences.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $10M
Cooperative Research Partnership Grants
Research partnerships between USDA and academic institutions to address agricultural challenges.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $1M
Crop Protection and Pest Management
Applied research and extension to address crop pests and improve integrated pest management systems.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $2M
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
Grants to fund telecommunications equipment and training for rural hospitals, schools, and libraries.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit · educational institution
Up to $1M
Emergency Watershed Protection Program
Emergency assistance for flood prevention and watershed repair measures after natural disasters.
Eligible: state local gov · tribal gov
Up to $5M
Environmental Quality Incentive Program — Organic Transition
Incentive payments for producers transitioning from conventional to certified organic production practices.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $50K
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Cost-share payments for conservation practices that benefit soil, water, and air quality on farms.
Eligible: for profit small business · individual
Up to $450K
Farm Operating Loans
Direct and guaranteed loans for farm operating expenses including seed, equipment, and family living costs.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $400K
Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program
Grants to support farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture, and other local food enterprises.
Eligible: nonprofit · state local gov · for profit small business
Up to $500K
Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowships
Fellowships for students pursuing graduate degrees in food and agricultural sciences disciplines with national need.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $60K
Food Safety Outreach Program
Outreach and training to improve food safety practices among food system workers and agricultural producers.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $1M
Forest Health Protection
Cooperative programs to protect national and private forests from insects, diseases, and invasive plants.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Grants for Agricultural Research
Competitive research grants for agricultural and food sciences to address national priorities.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $2M
Grants for Agricultural Research — Special Research Grants
Competitive research grants for pressing agricultural problems including insects, plant diseases, and animal health.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $1M
Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Program
Formula grants to Hispanic-serving colleges to strengthen agricultural science programs.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $3M
Indian Tribes and Tribal Corporations — Loans
Loans and grants to Indian tribes and tribal corporations for farming and business development on tribal land.
Eligible: tribal gov
Up to $300K
Integrated Programs
Systems-level research integrating biological, physical, and socioeconomic factors in agriculture.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $2M
Livestock Forage Disaster Program
Assistance to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $100K
Milk Income Loss Contract Program
Direct payments to dairy operations when domestic milk prices fall below a specified target price.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $50K
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
Research on organic production systems to improve yield, pest control, and market development.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $3M
Organic Cost Share Program
Shares the cost of organic certification for producers and handlers transitioning to organic production.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $1K
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
Outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers including minority, women, and beginning farmers for USDA program participation.
Eligible: nonprofit · educational institution
Up to $1M
Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care
Cooperative agreements to control and eradicate plant and animal pests and diseases.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
ReConnect Broadband Program
Grants to provide broadband access in rural areas that lack sufficient broadband infrastructure.
Eligible: for profit small business · nonprofit · state local gov
Up to $25M
Rural Business Development Grants
Grants for rural businesses and rural economic development projects targeted to small businesses.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit
Up to $500K
Rural Community Development Initiative
Grants to intermediary organizations to build capacity of low-income rural communities and tribal areas.
Eligible: nonprofit · state local gov
Up to $750K
Rural Development Business Grants
Grants to rural businesses and communities to stimulate economic development and job creation.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit · for profit small business
Up to $500K
Rural Housing Loans
Direct and guaranteed loans for home purchase, construction, and repair in rural areas for low-income families.
Eligible: individual
Up to $600K
Schools and Roads Payments to Counties
Payments to counties containing National Forest System land in lieu of taxes to fund schools and roads.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Schools and Roads — Grants to States
Payments to states with national forests and other federal lands to support public schools and roads.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Sea Grant Aquaculture Research
Research on aquaculture production to improve technology and sustainability of commercial seafood farming.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $1M
Soil and Water Conservation Programs
Technical and financial assistance to landowners for soil and water conservation practices.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $2M
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Block grants to states to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $2M
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Competitive grants for farmer-led research and outreach to develop innovative sustainable agricultural practices.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $400K
Tribal Colleges Endowment Program
Endowment grants to tribal colleges to support agricultural education programs.
Eligible: tribal gov · educational institution
Up to $1M
Urban and Community Forestry Program
Grants to develop and improve urban forestry programs and tree canopy in cities and towns.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit
Up to $500K
Value-Added Producer Grants
Grants to agricultural producers to develop strategies for marketing value-added agricultural products.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $250K
Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants
Financial assistance for clean water systems and sanitary waste disposal in rural communities.
Eligible: state local gov · tribal gov · nonprofit
Up to $3M
Water and Waste Disposal Systems Grants
Grants to develop clean and reliable drinking water and waste disposal systems in rural areas.
Eligible: state local gov · tribal gov · nonprofit
Up to $2M
Watershed Surveys and Planning
Technical and financial assistance for watershed protection, flood prevention, and resource planning.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $2M
Wetlands Reserve Program
Voluntary program for landowners to protect and restore wetlands on agricultural land.
Eligible: for profit small business
Up to $300K
Wildlife Services
Cooperative programs to control wildlife damage to agriculture, property, and natural resources.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $1M
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public official public datasets |