Applications are now being accepted for the Beginning Farmer Institute Grant.
Donor Name: National Farmers Union
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/01/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
National Farmers Union Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) is a free, online, 10-week intensive program intended to improve the health of your farm or ranch business. The program is open to producers ages 18 and up and is inclusive of all operation types and scales of production.
Each cohort is selected through a competitive application process. If accepted, you will attend online seminars, network with peers, pursue independent learning activities, and receive one-on-one technical assistance. Participants who complete all the necessary requirements will be considered for an additional in-person session, which will include additional trainings, farm tours, and networking with Farmers Union leadership.
What You’ll Get
Each participant will receive:
- All Resilerator video lessons and course content.
- Lifetime access to the Farmers Union Learning Lab, an online hub for agricultural and cooperative education.
- A one-year membership to Farm Commons. This membership puts ready-made legal knowledge at your fingertips through interactive and on-demand workshop series, resource libraries, and community forums.
- Farmers Union membership. Participants who are not already Farmers Union members will be reimbursed for a one-year membership, which offers benefits ranging from local networking and advocacy opportunities, to discounts for farm apparel, equipment, and seeds.
- Direct technical assistance. Following the 10- week course participants will have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the instructor to ask questions about their individual situations.
Eligibility Criteria
BFI is open to owners eligible businesses, or manager if they play a significant role in daily management and are expected to continue to grow into more significant management roles. In addition:
- Applicants must be 18 years or older
- Applicants should currently be farming/ranching, have 2+ years of experience, and be either an owner or considered a key decision-maker in the operation
- Operation must be for-profit; the substance of BFI is not suitable for non-profit operations
- Operations with significant production of cannabis or primarily engaged in breeding and training animals for the pet or show market are not eligible
- Forestry and fishery operations are not eligible
- Applicants must be a resident of the United States
For more information, visit National Farmers Union.
