State
NMDA Healthy Soil ProgramNew Mexico’s Healthy Soil Program (HSP) is administered by the NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA). The purpose of the program is “to promote and support farming and ranching systems and other forms of land management that increase soil organic matter, aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention to improve the health, yield and profitability of the soils of the state.” The next HSP application cycle opens January 15, 2025 and closes March 19, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) Mountain Time. Learn more on NMDA’s Healthy Soil Program website. NMDA Agricultural Workforce Development Program
New Mexico-based agricultural businesses may apply for internship funding through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) Program. Through this program, NMDA will reimburse a participating agricultural business up to 50% of the actual cost to employ intern(s), up to $15,000 per intern. A business may hire up to three interns in one year and the internship must be at least 130 hours long.
More information on the NMDA website NM Grown Farm to School Program
The purpose of the New Mexico Grown Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant, or New Mexico Grown Grant, is to encourage school districts across New Mexico to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables that are grown in the state for school meals. The Public Education Department will work to foster links between schools and local farms and/or farm organizations so that freshly harvested local foods become a staple in the diets of New Mexico students.
More information on the Education Department website
Federal
USDA/NRCS Financial AssistanceNRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG): Through these programs the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. Contact your local NRCS Field Office for more information and to start working on conservation planning. Intro to NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Intro to NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program, Intro to NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants —This helpful series of booklet was developed by the Seeding Regenerative Agriculture Project at Cruces Creatives. This helpful booklet was developed by the Seeding Regenerative Agriculture Project at Cruces Creatives.
Rural Energy for America Program—Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
This USDA program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Funds may be used for a variety of purposes, including training and technical assistance, acquisition or development of land or rural business incubators. Solar projects on farms and ranches (e.g. solar-powered water pumps) may be eligible for funding. Grant amounts range from $2,500 -$500,000. For more information, contact Carlos Contreras carlos.contreras.@nm.usda.gov 505-761-4958 at the USDA RD Albuquerque office. Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
This program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain. Maximum grant amounts for Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000.For more information, contact Carlos Contreras carlos.contreras.@nm.usda.gov 505-761-4958 at the USDA RD Albuquerque office. Western SARE
SARE’s mission is to advance—to the whole of American agriculture—innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education. Western SARE provides grants in several categories: Research and Education, Professional Development, Farmer/Rancher, Professional/Producer, Graduate Student in Sustainable Agriculture and Research to Grassroots. Each of these grants is available at specific times of the year. Check the website for deadlines and more information. Natural Resources Conservation Planning for Tribal Producers
The Intertribal Agriculture Council is working with the NRCS in an effort to further enhance the stewardship of Native American lands by providing improved access to conservation planning technical assistance, management resources, and useful land stewardship tools. This presents Native producers with a unique opportunity to build upon their land stewardship knowledge base as they continue to improve the sustainability, health and profitability of their operation’s resources. As always, our programs are made available at no cost to Tribal producers. GRASSROOTS GUIDE TO FEDERAL FARM AND FOOD PROGRAMS
By the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s (NSAC). This guide provides an in-depth look at dozens of federal programs and policies most important to sustainable agriculture, and details how they can be accessed by farmers, ranchers, and grassroots organizations nationwide. Includes information about the following federal programs: Beginning & Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Conservation & Environment, Credit & Crop Insurance, Food Safety, Healthy Food Access, Local & Regional Food Systems, Organic Production Renewable Energy, Rural Development, and Sustainable & Organic Research. ORGANIC FARMERS GUIDE TO FEDERAL LOANS
Not just for organic producers, this great summary gives you an overview about available federal programs. See what might be right for your business, including beginning farmer loans, conservation costs, innovation grants, value added producer grants, aggie bonds and private sector support.
Foundations
Organic Farming Research Foundation’s Farmer-Led Trials Program This program provides farmers with technical assistance and $1,500 to investigate and learn about solutions to their most pressing production challenges. This program will provide support for on-farm learning trials aimed at testing new practices, inputs, varieties, or animal breeds that can improve profitability and environmental sustainability.Applications are due by December 1, 2024 Local Farmer Innovation Enterprise (LIFE) Grants
The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association is offering grants of up to $3,000 for farmers wishing to solve problems, test innovations, or mitigate risk. Grant applications must meet one of these two purposes: 1. To expand specialty crop varieties and/or crop volume sold through New Mexico retail outlets; 2. To pilot or expand regenerative agriculture practices. If you are considering a regenerative project, you will need to address any or all of the 5 Key Principles of Soil Health. Check the website for more information and deadlines. Farmers of Color Network Infrastructure Fund
Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) launched the Farmers of Color Network in 2017 to assist farmers in accessing farm infrastructure resources, securing land and other assets, supporting farmer-to-farmer learning, and providing technical support. The Infrastructure Fund builds on the success of previous RAFI-USA regranting programs and focuses exclusively on farmers of color in several Southern states. Akiptan
Akiptan is a Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides loans and technical assistance to those in Indian Agriculture. Akiptan offers a whole suite of services that include financing youth, start ups, operating costs and ownership and works with the client to assist with technical support as well as provide financial literacy training to help create a knowledgeable borrower. Seventh Generation Fund
The Seventh Generation Fund is an Indigenous non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the uniqueness of Native peoples throughout the Americas. It offers an integrated program of advocacy, small grants, training and technical assistance, media experience and fiscal management, lending its support and extensive expertise to Indigenous grassroots communities. Its Sustainable Communities Program Area provides seed money, organizational support and technical training to Native grassroots community-based projects striving for holistic community health and renewal. It supports traditional agricultural methods, renewable forms of energy and sustainable strategies for development that preserve or restore traditional life-ways for future generations. NM Small Business Assistance Program
The New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program provides New Mexico small businesses facing technical challenges access to the expertise and capabilities of Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories at no cost to the business. “Rent a scientist” to perform soil testing or install an on-farm weather station, for example. Applications accepted online on a rolling basis –best to apply early in the year. Brighter Future Fund Grant
This American Farmland Trust (AFT) Program provides direct support to farmers and ranchers across the country with awards up to $5k. A major commitment of the program is to empower, uplift and support the work of a wide range of farmers. Priority will be given to BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ farmers.
Directories
NCAT/ATTRA grant databaseNationwide clearinghouse of available grant and funding opportunities within the realm of Sustainable Agriculture. Farm Aid Online Resource Directory
Farm Aid’s online directory contains more than 750 organizations that work directly with farmers nationwide on a variety of issues, from financial counseling to marketing and conservation. Searchable by state. Ambrook Funding Library
An extensive list of agricultural funding opportunities searchable by state, funding type, and a few other filters.
Land Access
Finding Farmland Calculator and Online CourseNational Young Farmers Coalition designed this free, online tool that young and beginning farmers and ranchers can use to approach the financial decisions related to acquiring land. Compare financing options, analyze costs, and understand what you can afford. También en Español! LandLink NM is a match-making service designed to connect interested farmers with available land and other resources. LandLink NM is looking for aspiring farmers looking for land, and landowners looking for someone to farm their land.