Grant Harvester • Issue #2
Plain‑English funding alerts for rural entrepreneurs & small farms
Week of July 29 2025
Welcome back!
We sift federal and Midwest state feeds, chop the jargon, and hand you only the live windows worth your time. Click any program name below to jump straight to the official page.
Federal programs now open
Program
What it pays for
Deadline
Who can apply
First action
Automatic payments for **2023‑24** crop‑year revenue losses already indemnified by crop insurance/NAP.
Confirm eligibility before county SDRP closing notice (no national cut‑off).
Producers with 2023/24 indemnities & within AGI limits
Call county FSA; verify SDRP letter & ensure **AD‑2047** and **CCC‑941** on file.
Low‑interest capital to replace property & operating losses after disasters.
Rolling – apply within 8 months of declaration
Producers in declared‑disaster counties
Print damage estimates; call FSA to start Form FSA‑2301.
Up to $500 k, 3‑12 yr loans for bins, cold rooms, bulk tanks, wash/pack sheds.
Rolling – year‑round
Producers with ≥1 yr history
Download FSFL worksheet; list capacity & vendor quotes.
Quarterly payments to producers of advanced biofuels (biodiesel, RNG).
FY‑25 enrollment open; claims through Oct 31 2025
Domestic advanced biofuel producers (≥50 % U.S. feedstock)
Submit FY‑25 Enrollment Certification to RD energy staff.
Annual rental payments to conserve and graze grassland habitat.
Jul 14 – Aug 8 2025
Landowners with eligible grasslands & grazing history
Gather grazing records; book COC appointment before Aug 8.
Cost‑share (50–75 %) for tunnels, cover crops, solar pumps, hundreds more.
Continuous signup; many states’ FY‑26 ranking cut‑off Nov 15 2025
Producers nationwide
Request conservation plan; submit NRCS‑CPA‑1200 before state cut‑off.
$10 k‑$500 k grants for rural business incubators, processing plants, studies.
Aug 31 2025 (FY‑25 RFA)
Non‑profits & public bodies in towns <50 k
Draft 1‑page summary & budget; download RD 4280‑B guide.
State & regional highlights – Midwest
· Wisconsin Producer‑Led Watershed Program – Up to $40 k for farmer‑led conservation. **RFP opens Aug 1 2025**.
· Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grant – Up to $150 k (66 % match) for ag/food prototypes. Rolling; funds available.
· Iowa Cover‑Crop Cost‑Share – $30/ac first‑timers, $20/ac returning; signup open until funds run out.
Watch‑list (prep now)
Wisconsin Producer-Led Watershed Program – up to $40 k for farmer-led conservation. RFP opens Aug 1 2025. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/ProducerLedProjects.aspx
Texas Young Farmer Grant – 1:1 match up to $20 k for equipment or marketing that diversifies farm income. Apps open now – close Aug 29 2025. https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Grants-Services/Grants-and-Services/YFG
New York Farmer Grant (NYS Agriculture & Markets) – 60 % cost-share ($5 k–$50 k) for on-farm value-added projects. RFA open – due Sep 13 2025. https://agriculture.ny.gov/funding-opportunities
Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grant – up to $150 k (66 % match) for ag/food prototypes. Rolling; funds available. https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/business/nif-prototype-grants/
Iowa Cover-Crop Cost-Share – $30/ac first-timers, $20/ac returning; signup open until funds run out. https://iowaagriculture.gov/cover-crop-cost-share
· Aug 15 2025 – North-Central SARE Farmer-Rancher Grant — call opens; $15 k solo / $30 k team. (https://northcentral.sare.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/farmer-rancher-grant/)
· Aug 26 2025 – South Dakota Working Here Fund — rural micro-grants ≤ $5 k open. (https://www.fcsamerica.com/about/community-involvement/working-here-fund-grants)
· Sep 1 2025 – Texas Specialty Crop Block Grant — concept-paper portal opens. (https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Grants-Services/Grants-and-Services/Specialty-Crop-Block-Grant-Program)
· Sep 13 2025 – New York Farmer Grant — application deadline. (https://agriculture.ny.gov/funding-opportunities)
· Nov 15 2025 – EQIP ranking cut-off in many states (confirm your NRCS calendar). (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives)
Quick glossary
· Cost‑share: Government pays part of your project cost (often 50–75 %).
· Ranking cut‑off: Date NRCS batches and scores EQIP/CSP apps—apply before it.
· Indemnity: Insurance or NAP payment for crop loss; triggers SDRP eligibility.
What to do this week
· In a 2025 disaster county? Pull damage receipts and open an Emergency Farm Loan file.
· WI producers: download Producer‑Led RFP and gather 5‑farmer signatures before Aug 1.
· Outline a conservation plan and email NRCS about EQIP ranking cut‑offs.
· Non‑profit groups: draft budget for RBDG before Aug 31.
· SARE prep: outline a 150-word on-farm research idea and book a quick photo of your field—so you’re ready to upload when the North-Central SARE portal opens Aug 15.
· South Dakota nonprofits: draft a one-paragraph need statement and collect a letter of support now—grants ≤ $5 k go fast when the Working Here Fund opens Aug 26.
· Texas growers: list two specialty-crop challenges (e.g., cold-chain, food-safety) and sketch a $75 k concept budget; the state will want that concept paper on their desk Sep 1.
· New York farmers: confirm your 60 % cash-match and attach quotes for equipment upgrades—final NY Farmer Grant packets must land by Sep 13.
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