Small Business Grants for Agriculture & Farming (2026)
Agriculture is one of the most grant-rich industries in America, thanks to extensive USDA programs designed to support farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses. The USDA Rural Development division alone administers dozens of grant and loan programs specifically for agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs.
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is one of the most popular programs, providing planning grants up to $250,000 and working capital grants up to $750,000 for farmers looking to process raw agricultural products into value-added goods. Whether you are turning milk into artisan cheese, wheat into craft flour, or launching a farm-to-table direct sales operation, VAPG can fund your expansion.
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) helps agricultural producers install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements, with grants up to $1,000,000. The Rural Business Development Grant program funds technical assistance and training for small businesses in communities under 50,000 people.
USDA SBIR grants specifically target agricultural innovation, funding R&D in areas like precision agriculture, sustainable farming practices, food safety technology, and agricultural biotechnology. The First Nations Development Institute offers grants specifically for Native American food sovereignty and agricultural projects.
State-level programs complement federal funding. Texas, California, and other major agricultural states run their own grant programs for farmers and agribusinesses. Many states also participate in federal pass-through programs that provide additional funding layers for agricultural entrepreneurs.
The agricultural grant landscape is vast but navigating it requires understanding seasonal deadlines, matching fund requirements, and the specific eligibility criteria each program enforces.
Active Agriculture & Farming Grants79 Available
Award Amount
$10,000 - $500,000
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
Award Amount
$75,000 - $750,000
USDA Value-Added Producer Grant
Award Amount
$2,500 - $1,000,000
USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $40,000
First Nations Native Food Sovereignty Grant
Award Amount
$4,000 - $4,000
NASE Growth Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Amber Grant for Women
Award Amount
$1,000 - $10,000
Skip Monthly Business Grants
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
IFundWomen Universal Grant Application
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Venmo Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
California Dream Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $1,000,000
Texas Enterprise Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $25,000
Global NY Grant Fund
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
NYS Business Seed Funding
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Florida Export Marketing Plan
Award Amount
$5,000 - $150,000
Illinois Back to Business (B2B)
Award Amount
$100,000 - $500,000
Advantage Illinois (SSBCI)
Award Amount
$2,000 - $10,000
Global Access Program (GAP)
Award Amount
$600,000 - $5,000,000
EDA Public Works Program
Award Amount
$150,000 - $2,500,000
EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance
Award Amount
$75,000 - $150,000
SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA HUBZone Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA Women-Owned Small Business Contracting
Award Amount
$20,000 - $5,000,000
California Competes Tax Credit
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
California IBank Small Business Loan Guarantee
Award Amount
$2,000 - $500,000
Texas Skills Development Fund
Award Amount
$3,000 - $6,000
Florida Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund
Award Amount
$25,000 - $2,000,000
Illinois EDGE Tax Credit Program
Award Amount
$10,000 - $245,000
Illinois Small Business Capital & Infrastructure Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $1,000,000
InvestOhio Tax Credit
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
JobsOhio Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$35,000 - $250,000
OneGeorgia Authority Grants
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
Georgia REBA (Regional Economic Business Assistance)
Award Amount
$100,000 - $5,000,000
North Carolina Job Development Investment Grant
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
One North Carolina Fund
Award Amount
$50,000 - $500,000
Golden LEAF Foundation Open Grants
Award Amount
$50,000 - $2,000,000
Michigan Business Development Program
Award Amount
$5,000 - $200,000
Michigan Going PRO Talent Fund
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Michigan Match on Main
Award Amount
$2,000 - $10,000
Washington State Export Voucher Program
Award Amount
$25,000 - $250,000
Washington Small Business Flex Fund
Award Amount
$5,000 - $50,000
Massachusetts Biz-M-Power Crowdfunding Match
Award Amount
$50,000 - $2,000,000
Virginia Commonwealth Opportunity Fund
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
Minnesota Job Creation Fund
Award Amount
$50,000 - $500,000
Oregon Business Development Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Maryland Small Business Grant Program
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Hello Alice Small Business Growth Fund
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Allstate Main Street Grants (Hello Alice)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Fund Her Future Grant (H&R Block)
Award Amount
$1,000 - $15,000
Kiva 0% Interest Microloans
Award Amount
$15,000 - $25,000
Amazon Business Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Hero
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Ladies Who Launch Program
Award Amount
$500 - $2,500
Freed Fellowship Grant
Award Amount
$30,000 - $100,000
Cartier Women's Initiative (2027 Cycle)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
EmpowHer Grant
Award Amount
$7,500 - $7,500
Halstead Grant for Jewelry Designers
Award Amount
$15,000 - $15,000
Girlboss Foundation Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Red Backpack Fund (Spanx Foundation)
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
NAWBO / Mastercard Small Business Grants
Award Amount
$2,000 - $5,000
Second Service Foundation Veteran Awards
Award Amount
$10,000 - $25,000
Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $50,000
PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP x L'Oreal Beauty Industry Grants
Award Amount
$10,000 - $20,000
Fearless Strivers Grant (Fearless Fund + Mastercard)
Award Amount
$1,500 - $5,000
First Nations Acorn Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
Award Amount
$5,000 - $10,000
NDI Small Business Hub (Disability Entrepreneurs)
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Power Forward Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $15,000
USHCC / Wells Fargo Hispanic Business Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
What USDA grants are available for small farms?▼
Key programs include the Value-Added Producer Grant (up to $750K), Rural Energy for America Program (up to $1M for renewable energy), Rural Business Development Grants (up to $500K), and USDA SBIR Phase I (up to $150K for agricultural R&D). Each has different eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Can I get a grant to start a farm with no experience?▼
Yes, but options are more limited for beginners. The USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher program offers targeted support. Kiva microloans require no credit history. State agricultural agencies often run training programs with seed funding. The California Dream Fund and similar state programs also welcome agricultural startups.
Are there grants for organic farming or sustainable agriculture?▼
Yes. USDA REAP specifically funds renewable energy and efficiency improvements. The VAPG program supports organic and sustainable value-added products. Many state programs prioritize sustainable practices. USDA NIFA research grants also fund sustainable agriculture innovation.
Do I need to be in a rural area to get agricultural grants?▼
Not always. While USDA Rural Development programs require rural locations (under 50,000 population), other programs like USDA SBIR, Value-Added Producer Grants, and state agricultural programs are open to producers regardless of location. Urban farming operations may qualify for additional city-level grants.