All you need to know to apply for a Fund-a-Farmer Grant

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Yes, we do! These example applications were selected for Fund-a-Farmer grants in February 2023 and detail why they were funded. Please note that some of the application questions have changed slightly for the current round of funding. However, the notes and feedback provided below each question are general tips that can be adapted for the updated questions.

Please read through our list of previously funded projects for ideas and inspiration. On-farm projects must impact beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, ducks, geese, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep, and/or turkeys. Eligible expense categories generally include materials, supplies, equipment, shipping costs, professional fees, travel, training, and hired labor costs. Funds will not be awarded to non-profit organizations; operational expenses such as animals, feed, and land; and projects related to the slaughter of animals.

This year we will specifically fund:

• Grants for farmers seeking to become Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA), Certified Humane, or Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Animal Welfare Certified (steps 4 to 5+). These grants will be made for on-farm projects that help improve animal welfare.

• Grants for welfare-certified farmers: These grants are for projects that would help farms that already hold one of the certifications above to build capacity or maintain certification. These grants can be for production-related projects, or for projects related to the marketing, sales, and distribution of certified products.

• Grants for farmers to improve or expand pasture for their animals: FACT will fund projects that would help farms transition to pasture-based systems, expand animals’ access to well-managed pasture, and improve the quality of pasture for animals. Farmers do not need to hold or be seeking certification. These grants will be made for on-farm, production-related projects that would improve animal welfare and expand pasture-based systems.

One of our eligibility requirements is that applicants must be working, independent, family farms, or operated by a federally-recognized tribal entity. These are farms on which a family, individual, or tribe owns the animals, is engaged in the day-to-day management of the farm and its animals, derives a share of livelihood from the farm, and produces a livestock product for sale. The Schedule F tax form is how FACT ascertains that your farm is a working farm business. Should you be selected to receive a Fund-a-Farmer grant, you will be required to furnish a copy of your farm’s Schedule F (or comparable) from the most recent tax filing. If you haven’t filed taxes for your farm in the past but expect to do so for 2024, before the grants are awarded in March 2025, you may indicate this on your application.