This request for applications is soliciting applications for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 funding cycle to support delivery of education, mentoring, and technical assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories that are entering, establishing, building, and managing successful farm and ranch enterprises.
Donor Name: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
State: All States
County: All Counties
U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/27/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
The primary goal of BFRDP, under assistance listing number 10.311, is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability. The term “farmer” is used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest owners and managers. The term “beginning farmer or rancher” means a person that
- has not operated a farm or ranch; or
- has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years; and
- meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.
Priorities
BFRDP grants may fund programs or services relating to these priorities:
- Basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices.
- Innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial forest land transfer and succession strategies.
- Entrepreneurship and business training.
- Technical assistance to help beginning farmers or ranchers acquire land from retiring farmers and ranchers.
- Financial and risk management training, including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit.
- Natural resource management and planning.
- Diversification and marketing strategies.
- Curriculum development.
- Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
- Resources and referral;
- Farm financial benchmarking;
- Agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veteran farmers and ranchers;
- Farm safety and awareness;
- Food safety and recordkeeping, and
- Other subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers such as: projects that address climate change with climate smart agriculture, food, and forestry solutions; improved nutritional security; and economic revitalization, particularly in socially disadvantaged communities.
Funding Information
NIFA is soliciting applications under the following program areas in FY 2022:
- Standard Grants
- Maximum Award Amount: Approximately $250,000 per year for up to 36months
- Grant Duration: 24-36 Months
- Educational Team Grants
- Maximum Award Amount: Approximately $250,000 per year for up to three years
- Grant Duration: 36 Months
- Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse
- Maximum Award Amount: Approximately $250,000 per year for three (3) years
- Grant Duration: 36 Months
Eligibility Information
Eligibility Requirements Applications may only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities. These collaborations may include the following entities: State Cooperative Extension Services; Federal, State, municipal or tribal agencies; community-based organizations (CBOs); nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); junior and four-year colleges or universities or foundations maintained by a college or university; and private for-profit organizations. Inclusions of beginning and/or non-beginning farmers and ranchers as part of the collaborative group is strongly encouraged. Applications submitted by individuals, or by organizations that do not involve other entities in a network or partnership, are not eligible for consideration under any category applicable to the BFRDP and will be excluded from review.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
