The Regenerative Value Chains Grant is a one-time funding opportunity offered by Farm to Family, an innovative program of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), which provides grants, networking opportunities, and marketing consultations for farmers, food businesses, and other participants in local food supply chains.
Donor Name: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD)
State: Michigan
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/01/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Regenerative Value Chains Grant aim of this grant program is to expand market opportunities for farmers that use regenerative practices by funding the purchase of on-farm point-of-sale equipment, marketing materials, light processing equipment, and wash/pack infrastructure.
Eligible Projects
- Required:
- The project proposal defines how regenerative principles are practiced by any producers involved in the project.
- The project proposal demonstrates how equipment included in the budget will help to develop market channels for foods produced using regenerative practices.
- Equipment purchased with grant funds will be installed on a farm property where regenerative principles are practiced or in a shared space where it can be used by multiple regenerative producers.
- The outcomes of the grant are planned to be achieved within one year.
- Grant proposals must include itemized costs for all budget items listed in the proposal. Equipment and infrastructure costs should be based on documented quotes and/or market research.
- Preferred:
- The project is innovative in its approach and desired outcomes or the project expands on successful, evidence-based approaches.
- The proposal describes how the project will serve a geographic area that has limited access to local food value chains. Limited access can occur in rural, urban, and suburban areas and is for the applicant to demonstrate with data and examples.
- The project creates revenue that will support diversification on the farm.
- Applicant has completed a soil health assessment with a CTAP technician.
- The project helps to promote regenerative practices to consumers through marketing or education.
- Applicant does not have another active MDARD grant. An active grant is an award that has not reached the end of the grant period listed on your grant agreement with MDARD.
Eligible Costs
- Up to 10% Administrative Cost is allowed. Administrative costs are the grantee’s direct costs for the overall management of the grant.
- Salaries, wages, staff benefits, and travel costs are not eligible costs under this grant.
- Equipment used primarily for planting, growing or harvesting crops is not an eligible cost under this grant.
- Refrigerated vehicles are not eligible costs under this grant.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for this grant program must be farmers in Michigan who can describe how they apply regenerative principles to their operation. Regenerative agriculture is an active approach to land management driven by improving soil health. Principles of regenerative agriculture include:
- Understand the context of your farm operation
- Integrate livestock and increase biodiversity
- Keep soil covered
- Maintain living roots year-round
- Maximize biodiversity
- Minimize soil disturbance.
For more information, visit MDARD.
