The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is seeking applications for the Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) program.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/10/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The objective of the MEGA Program to assist farmers who are developing their farms into commercially viable operations. Farms that can use program investment to increase farm production, marketing, and income will be given priority. Funds are typically used for equipment, infrastructure, or other capital improvements to implement strategies identified during the planning process to help their business grow.
The purposes of the MEGA Program are to:
- Help farmers who have been in business for at least 1, but no more than 10 years, to acquire equipment and other non-land assets that can help increase the financial viability of their farm businesses
- Support the needs of newer farm businesses through the provision of business planning, technical assistance, and capital
- Bring new ideas, products, skill sets, and enthusiasm to the Massachusetts agricultural industry.
Funding Information
Maximum grant levels vary from $10,000 to $30,000 per farm.
Grant Period
July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Eligible Projects
Grant and matching funds may be used for fixed capital improvements (such as barns, sheds, greenhouses, farm stands, and permanent fencing) or farm equipment (such as tractors, field equipment, movable fencing, and farm vehicles) that have the potential to enhance the farm’s viability. Program staff or consultants, with the farm operator’s active participation, will provide business assistance to identify proposed use(s) of grant funds within the MEGA Plan. The parties must agree to use(s) of funds before a Phase II grant contract is executed and no work may be performed until such time as all parties execute the contract.
Eligibility Criteria
- Farm business owners principally and substantially engaged in production agriculture or farming, including aquaculture, for commercial purposes in Massachusetts as defined under M.G.L. c. 128, Section 1A. For this RFR, “production agriculture” is farming as defined by M.G.L. c. 128, Section 1A, and focuses on producing an agricultural commodity that will ultimately be sold in the retail market and not for subsistence purposes
- Have operated the farm business for at least 1 year but no more than 10 years
- Must provide a 2024 tax form with application (Schedule F (Form 1040); Form 1120 or 1120S; or Form 1065, or other appropriate tax form, depending on business structure) to demonstrate Gross Farm Income of at least $10,000. (Gross Farm Income is the total revenue before subtracting expenses or income tax)
- Have secure access (own or lease) to land on which the applicant is farming
- Must be in legal compliance with the Department’s rules and regulations, including the terms of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (“APR”) Program for APRs
- Must meet applicable federal, state, and local orders, regulations, ordinances, or other guidance in effect at the time of the Project
- If the applicant does not own the land, they are farming, they must meet these additional criteria:
- Provide a copy of a signed written lease with the landowner, with a term long enough for the Applicant to complete the proposed improvement project and see a return on the investment, along with the application
- The landowner(s) must sign the MEGA application (along with the applicant(s)).
For more information, visit MDAR.
