Grant Harvester Issue #19

Federal Programs

Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) — Milk price protection

Program: Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)
What it pays for: Margin protection when milk prices fall relative to feed costs.
Deadline: Feb 26, 2026
Who can apply: Dairy producers
First action: Call your county FSA office to enroll or renew.

Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) — On-farm storage & handling

Program: Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL)
What it pays for: On-farm storage, handling, and eligible upgrades via low-interest FSA loans.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: Eligible producers
First action: Ask your FSA office for the FSFL checklist.

FSA Farm Loans (Direct & Guaranteed) — Land, operating, and ownership

Program: FSA Farm Loans
What it pays for: Ownership, operating expenses, equipment, and improvements.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: Eligible farmers and ranchers
First action: Book a loan eligibility call with an FSA loan officer.

USDA Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant (REDLG) — Rural business projects

Program: REDLG
What it pays for: Zero-interest project financing via participating utilities.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: Rural businesses working through a utility
First action: Ask your local utility if they participate.

---

State and Regional

Iowa Beginning Farmer Loan Program

Program: Iowa Beginning Farmer Loan Program
What it pays for: Lower-cost financing for land, buildings, and equipment.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: Beginning farmers (IA)
First action: Ask lenders if they originate these loans.

Illinois Ag Invest

Program: Illinois Ag Invest
What it pays for: Interest-rate reductions via linked deposits.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: IL farmers using participating lenders
First action: Ask your bank if they’re an Ag Invest partner.

North Dakota First-Time Farmer Finance Program

Program: ND First-Time Farmer Finance Program
What it pays for: Farm purchase and operating financing.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: First-time farmers (ND)
First action: Confirm eligibility before preparing a loan package.

South Dakota Beginning Farmer Bond Program

Program: SD Beginning Farmer Bond Program
What it pays for: Reduced-interest bond financing.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: Beginning farmers (SD)
First action: Ask your lender if they’ve closed one before.

Oklahoma Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG)

Program: Oklahoma SCBG
What it pays for: Specialty crop project costs.
Deadline: Feb 27, 2026
Who can apply: Eligible OK applicants
First action: Draft a one-page project concept.

Pennsylvania Agricultural Innovation Grant

Program: PA Agricultural Innovation Grant
What it pays for: Modernization and innovation expenses.
Deadline: Apr 18, 2026
Who can apply: Eligible PA farms and ag businesses
First action: Confirm match rules and gather quotes.

Nebraska Funding Opportunities Hub

Program: Nebraska Funding Hub
What it pays for: Varies by listing
Deadline: Rolling updates
Who can apply: Varies
First action: Bookmark and check weekly.

Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA)

Program: TAFA
What it pays for: Loans and guarantees for ag and rural development.
Deadline: Rolling
Who can apply: Eligible TX applicants
First action: Email TAFA to confirm the right program.

---

Private & Philanthropic

FruitGuys Community Fund — Small Farm Grants

Program: FruitGuys Community Fund Grants
What it pays for: Small sustainability-focused projects.
Deadline: See 2026 cycle page
Who can apply: Small farms and ag nonprofits
First action: Draft a short, outcome-focused project summary.

Farmers for Soil Health

Program: Farmers for Soil Health
What it pays for: Cover crop incentives and technical support.
Deadline: Varies by state
Who can apply: Eligible growers
First action: Confirm state eligibility and documentation needs.

---

Policy Pulse

• USDA: $12B “Farmer Bridge Payments” — Watch rollout details.
• ECAP dashboard — Confirm sign-up rules.
• MASC program page — Check eligibility and timing.
• SDRP dashboard — Confirm documentation early.

---

What to do this week

• Pick one cash-now program and make the first call.
• Build a one-page funding packet.
• Outline a simple SCBG outcome metric if applicable.
• Confirm Farmers for Soil Health eligibility.
• Set a weekly reminder to re-check state funding hubs.

---

Watch List

• California CDFA Grants — Re-check weekly.
• Kansas SCBG — New round expected.
• Massachusetts MEGA — Verify timing.

---

Glossary

• Linked deposit: A state places money at a bank to reduce your interest rate.
• Specialty crops: Fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and similar non-commodity crops.
• Cost-share: Partial reimbursement after work is completed and documented.