Grant Harvester • Issue #6
Plain‑English funding alerts for rural entrepreneurs & small farms
Week of September 18, 2025
Welcome back
We scan official federal and state sources, translate the jargon (quick definitions below), and give you an action‑ready brief. Program names link to the live pages; all sources are listed at the end.
Federal programs now open
Program
What it pays for
Deadline
Who can apply
First action
Low-interest capital to replace property/operating losses after disasters.
Apply within ~8 months of declaration
Producers in declared-disaster counties
Call county FSA; start Form FSA-2301.
3–12-yr loans for bins, cold rooms, bulk tanks, wash/pack sheds.
Rolling
Producers with ≥1-yr history
List capacity needs; collect vendor quotes.
Smaller working-capital loans (simpler paperwork).
Rolling
Beginning/small/family farms
Gather last 12 months income/expense records.
Smaller farmland/structure purchase loans.
Rolling
Beginning/small/family farms
Pull a basic farm plan and acreage info.
Modest loans for supervised ag projects (FFA/4-H).
Rolling
Youth 10–20 with project plan
Draft a one-page project budget and mentor.
Bank loans backed by USDA (guarantee = lower risk to lender).
Rolling
Eligible producers via local banks
Ask your lender about FSA guarantees.
State & regional highlights
· CA – CDFA RFSI Equipment-Only Grants: Mid-supply-chain equipment (processing, cold chain). First action: Download the RFA and list two priority purchases.
· IA – Cover-Crop Cost-Share: Per-acre incentives for first-time/returning acres (cost-share = government pays part). First action: Call your SWCD to enroll.
· IL – Heartland Business Builder / DCEO Small Biz: Micro-biz development grants and assistance. First action: Check your region’s eligibility and required match (match = your share).
· WI – Producer-Led Watershed Grants: Up to ~$40k for farmer-led conservation groups. First action: Line up 5 producers and a partner.
· NE – Innovation Fund Prototype Grant: Up to ~$150k (66% match) to build/test prototypes. First action: Draft a one-page concept + budget.
· SD – Working Here Fund: Quarterly rural micro-grants for community/business needs. First action: Outline need + letter of support.
· TX – Young Farmer Grant: 1:1 match up to ~$20k for equipment/marketing. First action: List purchases and confirm cash match.
Watch-list (prep now)
· Nov 2025: EQIP ranking cut-offs in many states—ask NRCS for your date. First action: Request a conservation plan.
· Fall 2025: Several state Specialty Crop Block Grant RFAs open. First action: Draft a 150-word concept and budget.
Quick glossary
· Cost-share: Government pays part of project cost (you pay the rest).
· Match: Your required contribution (cash or in-kind like labor/equipment).
· Guaranteed loan: USDA backs part of a bank’s risk to help you qualify.
What to do this week
· Pick one state item above and email the contact asking for eligibility + timeline.
· Start a simple budget (3 lines: materials, labor, equipment) for your top project.
· Call your county FSA to confirm any disaster designations and options.
· If you’ll need a match, list concrete sources (cash, in-kind, partner).
Source list (official pages): Emergency Farm Loan • FSFL • Operating Microloan • Ownership Microloan • Youth Loan • Guaranteed Farm Loans • CA RFSI • IA Cover-Crop • IL Small Biz/Heartland • WI Producer-Led • NE Prototype • SD Working Here • TX Young Farmer
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