APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED STARTING JUNE 8TH

2026 National Farm Viability Grant 

Eligibility and Application Guidelines

Overview

Eligibility at a Glance

Program Priorities

When reviewing applications, we’ll look for projects that seek to achieve one or more of the following:

• Strengthen business, financial, or operational stability
• Support farmland acquisition, pursuit of secure land tenure, land transfer or succession, or long‑term land stewardship
• Advance regenerative or environmentally‑beneficial farming practices (such as cover cropping, no‑till or reduced‑till, diverse rotations, or other soil‑health‑focused approaches), including innovative adoption or scaling of these practices

Proposed projects should:

• Address real, clearly described challenges facing the farm or ranch business.
• Make thoughtful use of grant funds and, when possible, leverage other resources.
• Include innovative solutions that can help overcome obstacles and drive progress within the operation, rather than focusing only on improving efficiency.

What We Fund: Examples of eligible expenses:

Professional Services

Grant funds may be used to work with qualified service providers, including for:

• Business, financial, or estate planning
• Succession planning, farm or ranch transfer support, or development of agreements that help secure land tenure
• Legal or transactional services related to farmland acquisition, leasing, purchase, or permanent protection/conservation
• Market planning, recordkeeping systems, or financial management support
• Product development, marketing, branding, packaging, labeling, website development, or market expansion planning
• Help navigating agricultural credit, loans, or public programs
• Planning or advisory services that support business transitions, farmland acquisition, or long‑term viability

Infrastructure & Equipment

Grant funds may also support innovative approaches to adopting regenerative or environmentally‑beneficial farming practices, including equipment or infrastructure that enables or accelerates these practices. Examples include:

• Equipment or tools that support cover cropping, no‑till or reduced‑till, diverse crop rotations, or soil‑health‑focused management
• Modifications or add‑ons to existing equipment that make regenerative practices feasible or more effective on the operation
• Infrastructure or equipment needed to trial, pilot, or scale regenerative practices as part of a thoughtful transition plan
• Capital investments that demonstrate clear environmental benefit while supporting long‑term farm viability

Projects should describe how the proposed equipment or infrastructure represents a strategic or meaningful step toward regenerative outcomes, rather than routine efficiency upgrades.

What We Do Not Fund (examples of ineligible expenses):

• Personal or household expenses not directly related to the farm or ranch business
• Costs incurred before written award approval
• Projects that focus solely on routine equipment replacement, ongoing marketing or advertising costs
• Payroll or other operational expenses. 
• Registration fees for attending conferences, trainings, or educational courses
• Projects that do not clearly connect to farm viability, business operations, farmland acquisition, securing land tenure, or land stewardship

Who Is Not Eligible to Apply

This grant is not a good fit for applicants whose operations fall primarily into one or more of the categories below:

• Nonprofit organizations and farms operated or managed by nonprofit organizations
• Operations located outside the United States
• Operations growing or raising agricultural products primarily for family or household consumption
• Operations not intentionally engaged in terrestrial, soil-based agricultural production
• Operations primarily engaged in shellfish, aquaculture, or hydroponic production
• Most equine operations, including those focused on boarding, training, racing, breeding for recreation, or other non‑agricultural uses
• Operations that did not produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products sold, bartered, or exchanged in the most recent growing year
• Applicants whose proposed project does not align with at least one of the program’s three priority funding areas
• American Farmland Trust staff or board members, substantial contributors to AFT (defined as having contributed $5,000 or more), and their immediate family members, including a sibling, spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or great-grandchild
• Previous American Farmland Trust grant awardees who have received grant funds after January 1, 2025. 

Timeline

Applications will be accepted via the online grant portal starting 8am ET Monday, June 8^th through 11:59pm ET on Thursday, June 18^th, 2026. We encourage applicants to start preparing their proposals in advance of the application window opening. 

• Applications may be reviewed on a rolling or periodic basis, depending on available funding.
• Applicants will be notified of funding decisions via email by August 31, 2026.
• AFT will aim to disburse grant funds to awardees approximately 90 days after the award agreement is signed; however, payment timing may be subject to change.
• Those selected for the grant will have one year from the date of receipt of funds to spend the funds and complete the grant-funded project.

How to Apply

1. Review these guidelines to make sure the program is a good fit.
2. Review the application questions ahead of time. Prepare a brief project description, budget, and timeline. Copies of cost estimates/quotes and a letter of support are encouraged and can be uploaded into the application form.
3. Submit your application through the American Farmland Trust grant portal. 
   1. The link to apply will be posted on our website during the application window, June 8 - 18. 
   2. Applicants are required to use their email address to create a secure user account.
   3. We will not accept applications after 11:59pm ET on June 18^th.
4. Respond promptly if we follow up with questions or requests for clarification via email.

 American Farmland Trust keeps applicants’ individual information confidential. Individual information will not be shared with third parties except that an awardee’s farm name and farm business location may be listed on AFT’s website, or as specifically provided in an award agreement. AFT may also share aggregated, anonymized information about its grant programs, outcomes, applicants, and those served.

Applicant Checklist

• Set up user account with Survey Monkey Apply. 
• Review these guidelines and application questions ahead of time.
• Pass our brief eligibility quiz (required as part of the application form).
• Draft a clear description of your project and how the funds will help your operation.
• Develop an estimated project budget and timeline of project implementation.
• Optional but encouraged: Supporting documentation such as cost estimates or quotes, budget worksheets, and/or letters of support. Applications that include relevant supporting materials generally score higher during review.

Note on Language

Applications are not evaluated on grammar or writing style. We encourage applicants to share their goals, challenges, and plans in their own words.

While AI assistance (for example, ChatGPT) is allowed, we strongly encourage applicants to answer questions in their own words. 

The application is available in English, and a Spanish-language version is also available.

Award Process

• Selected applicants receive notification of award via email, and an Award Agreement form that outlines the approved budget, timeline, and payment details.
• Grant funds are paid directly to the awardee. American Farmland Trust does not pay vendors on an applicant’s behalf.
• Payments may be made as reimbursements or direct disbursements, depending on the approved project.

Terms & Conditions of Award

• Grant funds must be used only for approved expenses.
• American Farmland Trust cannot cover costs beyond the approved award amount.
• With written approval, unused funds may be shifted to related, eligible expenses.
• Awardees must submit required banking and tax documentation (IRS Form W‑9) through the secure online portal.
• Extensions and project modifications are not guaranteed and are considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Questions & Support

If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact the Brighter Future Fund team at brighterfuture@farmland.org. We’re happy to help.

If you are unsure whether your operation or proposed project is eligible, we encourage you to contact us before applying.