2026 Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grants Program
Guidelines
PURPOSE
The Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grant Program (the Program) provides Virginia farmers with individual grants, focusing on efforts that support the adoption or expansion of regenerative practices and systems while also contributing to long-term vitality of their operations. The Program will also focus on land access, tenure, and succession planning to ensure farms remain in regenerative operations for generations to come.
American Farmland Trust (AFT) understands that Virginia farmers desire to be both strong stewards of their land and significant contributors to their regional economies. Our farm vitality work aims to create opportunities for farmers to improve profitability and business viability alongside adopting regenerative systems.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
These grants are intended to provide producers with funds leading to powerful changes in operations. Only one grant can be awarded per farmer/farm family. Non-profit organizations are not eligible and are encouraged to take advantage of alternate funding opportunities and resources designed specifically for non-profits.
Eligibility criteria include:
- Individual, for-profit Virginia terrestrial based farms or ranches that provide proof of income (or similar if the farm engages in barter, exchange, or community supply).
- Farmers with at least two seasons of production experience (for existing businesses).
- Startup farms (under two seasons of production) are eligible if they can provide documentation of at least two years of production experience (internships, farm management experience, education, and training, or similar).
- While agriculture across the US is broad, this funding is intended to support terrestrial, soils-based agricultural production, and we are unable to consider applications from aquaculture, equine, or forestry* operations. (*Agroforestry and silvopasture operations do qualify.)
We cannot award grants to American Farmland Trust staff, board members, or substantial contributors to AFT, or their family members.
- Family member: defined as any sibling, spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or great-grandchild
- Substantial contributor: defined as contributing to American Farmland Trust $5,000 or more.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
To ensure clarity, fairness, and strategic alignment with the goals of the Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grants Program, funding requests are organized into three distinct tracks. Each track is designed to support a specific type of investment that contributes to both farm viability and the adoption or expansion of regenerative agricultural practices*.
The use of tracks allows applicants to tailor their proposals to the most relevant funding category and helps reviewers evaluate applications consistently based on the nature of the proposed project. Applicants are only permitted to apply for 1 track. All funding requests must align with the parameters of the selected track.
*REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE DEFINITION: For the purposes of this Program, AFT defines regenerative agriculture as a way of terrestrial based farming or ranching that improves the health of soil, water, and ecosystems while also supporting strong farms and communities.
Track | Focus Area | Max Award | Examples of Eligible Expenses |
Track 1: Equipment | Equipment for regenerative practices | $15,000 | No-till seed drill, compost spreader, cold storage |
Track 2: Business Development | Planning, financial literacy, succession | $15,000 | Business planning, QuickBooks setup, legal fees |
Track 3: Product & Market Expansion | New products, market access | $25,000 | Branding, certification, e-commerce tools |
TRACK 1: EQUIPMENT
Supports the purchase of special-purpose equipment that improves farm viability or profitability and supports regenerative practices.
Maximum Award: $15,000
Track 1 Equipment Allowable Expenses: Including but not limited to
Examples | Purpose |
No-till seed drill, roller-crimper, precision planter | For cover crops and reduced tillage |
Mobile fencing or water systems | For managed rotational grazing |
Compost spreader, mulch layer, compost tea brewer | To improve soil fertility |
Wash/pack station upgrades | Triple sink, root washer for food safety |
Cold storage unit, walk-in cooler, refrigerated trailer | To reduce post-harvest losses |
Solar-powered irrigation pumps, drip irrigation | For water efficiency |
Silvopasture equipment | Tree augers, protectors, watering systems |
High tunnel or caterpillar tunnel | For season extension in vegetable systems |
Track 1 Equipment Ineligible Requests
Not Eligible | Reason |
Standard tractors, combines | Not directly tied to regenerative practices |
Home garden tools, office electronics | Not used in farm production |
Seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, feed | Consumables or short-lived supplies |
General-use vehicles | Unless used for regenerative practice implementation |
TRACK 2: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Supports financial acumen, planning, and succession for regenerative farm businesses.
Maximum Award: $15,000
Track 2 Business Development Allowable Expenses
Examples | Purpose |
Farm business planning consultant | Enterprise budgeting, strategic planning |
Financial literacy training | For farmers and farm families |
Bookkeeping setup and training | QuickBooks tailored to farm enterprises |
Marketing and brand strategy | Including pricing strategy |
Feasibility study | For new regenerative enterprises |
Succession planning support | Legal fees, appraisals, consulting |
Peer-to-peer coaching | Farmer-led technical assistance |
Market readiness assessments | For institutional or wholesale sales |
Track 2 Business Development Ineligible Requests
Expense | Reason |
College tuition or unrelated coursework | Not tied to farm business development |
Hiring permanent staff or covering salaries | General operating expense |
Travel for personal reasons | Not business-related |
Memberships/subscriptions | Without clear business planning purpose |
Generic marketing costs | Must be tied to a growth strategy |
TRACK 3: PRODUCT AND MARKET EXPANSION
Supports expansion through new products, broader markets, and wider distribution of regenerative goods.
Maximum Award: $25,000
Track 3 Product and Market Expansion Allowable Expenses
Examples | Description |
Branding and packaging design | For new regenerative products |
Value-added product development | E.g., regenerative flour, grass-fed yogurt |
Certification costs | Organic, grass-fed, regenerative |
E-commerce and website development | Online sales systems |
Processing/packing equipment | Flash freezer, bottling line, CSA packing |
Market access tools | Delivery vans, multi-farm hubs |
Institutional market expansion | GAP certification, food safety audits |
Consumer outreach | Events, materials about regenerative practices |
Track 3 Product and Market Expansion Ineligible Requests
Expense | Reason |
Launching unrelated businesses | E.g., coffee shop, B&B |
Selling non-regenerative goods | Must align with regenerative production |
Events without clear regenerative tie | Must educate or promote regenerative agriculture |
General-use vehicles | Must be tied to product distribution |
Luxury branding/marketing | E.g., unrelated merchandise or campaigns |
General Expenses Ineligible Across All Tracks:
Not Eligible | Reason |
Debt repayment or refinancing | Not a program goal |
General operating expenses | Payroll, rent, utilities, fuel |
Routine equipment replacement | E.g., standard tractor or truck |
Building construction | Long-term capital investments |
Retroactive costs | Expenses before grant award date |
Aesthetic upgrades | Landscaping, non-functional improvements |
A COMMITMENT TO FARMERS
AFT is committed to supporting opportunities for all in agriculture.
This grant program will prioritize support to farmers who have experienced barriers to capital and other resources. We encourage Virginia farmers from all backgrounds to apply, including those from the following groups:
- Beginning farmers
- Limited-resource farmers
- Farmers of color
- Women farmers
- Veterans
- LGBTQ+ farmers
- Farmers with disabilities
Additional information that will be considered:
- Percentage of time currently dedicated to farming or ranching, or percentage of time desired.
- Potential impact of grant awards on overall farm growth and operations.
- Type of farm, acres in farming, and farm products grown, raised, or produced. (AFT will prioritize awarding a diverse pool of farms operating at varying scales.)
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted electronically between 8:00am Eastern December 1st and 11:59pm Eastern December 19th, 2025.
TIMELINE & AWARD PROCESS
Applications will be accepted from December 1 through December 19, 2025, and grant recipients will be announced in early 2026.
- Grant recipients will receive written notification via email. The award notification email will detail the approved timeline and process for payment based on the individual project.
- Funding is contingent on the awardee completing a Grant Award Agreement form and submitting it, along with other requested information, within 7 days of being notified of the award. Announcement of the award and other communication will be conducted via email and online. Failure to respond by the stated deadline could result in loss of award funds.
- Grant Disbursement Schedule:
- The first 75% of the total awarded amount will be disbursed to the award recipient approximately 90 days after receipt of a signed award agreement via the online grant portal.
- Final reports are due to AFT 365 days after the receipt of the initial funds. The final 25% of the award amount will be disbursed to the award recipient approximately 90 days after submission of a final report via the online grant portal.
- Note: This schedule is fixed and cannot be modified.
- AFT will require the awardee to provide its SSN/EIN/TIN to fulfill AFT's obligation to report grant activities on its annual report to the IRS. The name on your application must match the name on the SSN/EIN/TIN number that you intend to provide.
AWARD FORM CHECKLIST
If chosen to receive an award, AFT will require:
- Current photo representing yourself and your farm
- A brief summary regarding the planned use of the funds and results you expect to achieve with the assistance of the funds.
- A statement agreeing to complete a brief final report and interview by AFT upon completion of the project. We will share selected projects via social media and promotional materials for farmers who opt-in. While sharing stories is a priority for AFT, we understand there may be reasons for discretion and will honor those instances. Participation in public-facing stories will not affect the applicant’s receipt of funding.
REPORTING
Awardees must submit the following within one year of receiving funds:
- All receipts showing how funds were spent
- One written page describing the project and its impact
- Photos or documentation of project outcomes
- Optional: Participate in an interview with AFT staff (not a substitute for written reporting)
AFT will use this information to verify the permitted use of funds and evaluate the Program’s success.
Note: Interviews conducted by AFT Communications or Program staff are not considered sufficient to fulfill grant reporting needs. Awardees may be asked to participate in interviews, and should they opt-in, will be expected to do so in addition to the reporting guidelines set out above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- AFT has established the Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grant Program to support awardees who need financial assistance to undertake proposed activities that further AFT's charitable purposes. These grants are motivated by charitable intent. AFT, however, does not represent the tax consequences of an award, if any.
- AFT shall have no obligation to disburse amounts in excess of the approved grant, for services not completed, or goods or services not approved by AFT. Any expenses exceeding the grant maximum amount are the awardee’s responsibility.
- Expenses incurred before receiving a fully executed grant award agreement will not be reimbursable by the grant.
- Any unspent grant funds may be dedicated towards further services for the applicant, pending written AFT approval.
QUESTIONS
- Visit our website for more details: Farmland.org/grants
- If you have questions or need additional assistance completing your application, please contact Amanda Cather, Mid-Atlantic Deputy Director, at (202) 387-1244 or acather@farmland.org.
- If you are interested in attending an online Q&A session about this grant, please sign-up by clicking on the link(s) below:
REGISTER TO ATTEND A LIVE Q&A SESSION:
A Note on Language
We encourage you to be thoughtful and diligent in completing your application, but we will not evaluate applications by grammar or writing style. Complete the questions to the best of your ability and take advantage of the narrative questions to describe your farm, your personal and professional goals, and the challenges you face in reaching them. Feel free to write in the style or language that feels truest and most comfortable.
Regenerate Virginia: 2026 Farm Vitality Grant
2026 Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grants Program
Guidelines
PURPOSE
The Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grant Program (the Program) provides Virginia farmers with individual grants, focusing on efforts that support the adoption or expansion of regenerative practices and systems while also contributing to long-term vitality of their operations. The Program will also focus on land access, tenure, and succession planning to ensure farms remain in regenerative operations for generations to come.
American Farmland Trust (AFT) understands that Virginia farmers desire to be both strong stewards of their land and significant contributors to their regional economies. Our farm vitality work aims to create opportunities for farmers to improve profitability and business viability alongside adopting regenerative systems.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
These grants are intended to provide producers with funds leading to powerful changes in operations. Only one grant can be awarded per farmer/farm family. Non-profit organizations are not eligible and are encouraged to take advantage of alternate funding opportunities and resources designed specifically for non-profits.
Eligibility criteria include:
- Individual, for-profit Virginia terrestrial based farms or ranches that provide proof of income (or similar if the farm engages in barter, exchange, or community supply).
- Farmers with at least two seasons of production experience (for existing businesses).
- Startup farms (under two seasons of production) are eligible if they can provide documentation of at least two years of production experience (internships, farm management experience, education, and training, or similar).
- While agriculture across the US is broad, this funding is intended to support terrestrial, soils-based agricultural production, and we are unable to consider applications from aquaculture, equine, or forestry* operations. (*Agroforestry and silvopasture operations do qualify.)
We cannot award grants to American Farmland Trust staff, board members, or substantial contributors to AFT, or their family members.
- Family member: defined as any sibling, spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or great-grandchild
- Substantial contributor: defined as contributing to American Farmland Trust $5,000 or more.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
To ensure clarity, fairness, and strategic alignment with the goals of the Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grants Program, funding requests are organized into three distinct tracks. Each track is designed to support a specific type of investment that contributes to both farm viability and the adoption or expansion of regenerative agricultural practices*.
The use of tracks allows applicants to tailor their proposals to the most relevant funding category and helps reviewers evaluate applications consistently based on the nature of the proposed project. Applicants are only permitted to apply for 1 track. All funding requests must align with the parameters of the selected track.
*REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE DEFINITION: For the purposes of this Program, AFT defines regenerative agriculture as a way of terrestrial based farming or ranching that improves the health of soil, water, and ecosystems while also supporting strong farms and communities.
Track | Focus Area | Max Award | Examples of Eligible Expenses |
Track 1: Equipment | Equipment for regenerative practices | $15,000 | No-till seed drill, compost spreader, cold storage |
Track 2: Business Development | Planning, financial literacy, succession | $15,000 | Business planning, QuickBooks setup, legal fees |
Track 3: Product & Market Expansion | New products, market access | $25,000 | Branding, certification, e-commerce tools |
TRACK 1: EQUIPMENT
Supports the purchase of special-purpose equipment that improves farm viability or profitability and supports regenerative practices.
Maximum Award: $15,000
Track 1 Equipment Allowable Expenses: Including but not limited to
Examples | Purpose |
No-till seed drill, roller-crimper, precision planter | For cover crops and reduced tillage |
Mobile fencing or water systems | For managed rotational grazing |
Compost spreader, mulch layer, compost tea brewer | To improve soil fertility |
Wash/pack station upgrades | Triple sink, root washer for food safety |
Cold storage unit, walk-in cooler, refrigerated trailer | To reduce post-harvest losses |
Solar-powered irrigation pumps, drip irrigation | For water efficiency |
Silvopasture equipment | Tree augers, protectors, watering systems |
High tunnel or caterpillar tunnel | For season extension in vegetable systems |
Track 1 Equipment Ineligible Requests
Not Eligible | Reason |
Standard tractors, combines | Not directly tied to regenerative practices |
Home garden tools, office electronics | Not used in farm production |
Seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, feed | Consumables or short-lived supplies |
General-use vehicles | Unless used for regenerative practice implementation |
TRACK 2: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Supports financial acumen, planning, and succession for regenerative farm businesses.
Maximum Award: $15,000
Track 2 Business Development Allowable Expenses
Examples | Purpose |
Farm business planning consultant | Enterprise budgeting, strategic planning |
Financial literacy training | For farmers and farm families |
Bookkeeping setup and training | QuickBooks tailored to farm enterprises |
Marketing and brand strategy | Including pricing strategy |
Feasibility study | For new regenerative enterprises |
Succession planning support | Legal fees, appraisals, consulting |
Peer-to-peer coaching | Farmer-led technical assistance |
Market readiness assessments | For institutional or wholesale sales |
Track 2 Business Development Ineligible Requests
Expense | Reason |
College tuition or unrelated coursework | Not tied to farm business development |
Hiring permanent staff or covering salaries | General operating expense |
Travel for personal reasons | Not business-related |
Memberships/subscriptions | Without clear business planning purpose |
Generic marketing costs | Must be tied to a growth strategy |
TRACK 3: PRODUCT AND MARKET EXPANSION
Supports expansion through new products, broader markets, and wider distribution of regenerative goods.
Maximum Award: $25,000
Track 3 Product and Market Expansion Allowable Expenses
Examples | Description |
Branding and packaging design | For new regenerative products |
Value-added product development | E.g., regenerative flour, grass-fed yogurt |
Certification costs | Organic, grass-fed, regenerative |
E-commerce and website development | Online sales systems |
Processing/packing equipment | Flash freezer, bottling line, CSA packing |
Market access tools | Delivery vans, multi-farm hubs |
Institutional market expansion | GAP certification, food safety audits |
Consumer outreach | Events, materials about regenerative practices |
Track 3 Product and Market Expansion Ineligible Requests
Expense | Reason |
Launching unrelated businesses | E.g., coffee shop, B&B |
Selling non-regenerative goods | Must align with regenerative production |
Events without clear regenerative tie | Must educate or promote regenerative agriculture |
General-use vehicles | Must be tied to product distribution |
Luxury branding/marketing | E.g., unrelated merchandise or campaigns |
General Expenses Ineligible Across All Tracks:
Not Eligible | Reason |
Debt repayment or refinancing | Not a program goal |
General operating expenses | Payroll, rent, utilities, fuel |
Routine equipment replacement | E.g., standard tractor or truck |
Building construction | Long-term capital investments |
Retroactive costs | Expenses before grant award date |
Aesthetic upgrades | Landscaping, non-functional improvements |
A COMMITMENT TO FARMERS
AFT is committed to supporting opportunities for all in agriculture.
This grant program will prioritize support to farmers who have experienced barriers to capital and other resources. We encourage Virginia farmers from all backgrounds to apply, including those from the following groups:
- Beginning farmers
- Limited-resource farmers
- Farmers of color
- Women farmers
- Veterans
- LGBTQ+ farmers
- Farmers with disabilities
Additional information that will be considered:
- Percentage of time currently dedicated to farming or ranching, or percentage of time desired.
- Potential impact of grant awards on overall farm growth and operations.
- Type of farm, acres in farming, and farm products grown, raised, or produced. (AFT will prioritize awarding a diverse pool of farms operating at varying scales.)
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted electronically between 8:00am Eastern December 1st and 11:59pm Eastern December 19th, 2025.
TIMELINE & AWARD PROCESS
Applications will be accepted from December 1 through December 19, 2025, and grant recipients will be announced in early 2026.
- Grant recipients will receive written notification via email. The award notification email will detail the approved timeline and process for payment based on the individual project.
- Funding is contingent on the awardee completing a Grant Award Agreement form and submitting it, along with other requested information, within 7 days of being notified of the award. Announcement of the award and other communication will be conducted via email and online. Failure to respond by the stated deadline could result in loss of award funds.
- Grant Disbursement Schedule:
- The first 75% of the total awarded amount will be disbursed to the award recipient approximately 90 days after receipt of a signed award agreement via the online grant portal.
- Final reports are due to AFT 365 days after the receipt of the initial funds. The final 25% of the award amount will be disbursed to the award recipient approximately 90 days after submission of a final report via the online grant portal.
- Note: This schedule is fixed and cannot be modified.
- AFT will require the awardee to provide its SSN/EIN/TIN to fulfill AFT's obligation to report grant activities on its annual report to the IRS. The name on your application must match the name on the SSN/EIN/TIN number that you intend to provide.
AWARD FORM CHECKLIST
If chosen to receive an award, AFT will require:
- Current photo representing yourself and your farm
- A brief summary regarding the planned use of the funds and results you expect to achieve with the assistance of the funds.
- A statement agreeing to complete a brief final report and interview by AFT upon completion of the project. We will share selected projects via social media and promotional materials for farmers who opt-in. While sharing stories is a priority for AFT, we understand there may be reasons for discretion and will honor those instances. Participation in public-facing stories will not affect the applicant’s receipt of funding.
REPORTING
Awardees must submit the following within one year of receiving funds:
- All receipts showing how funds were spent
- One written page describing the project and its impact
- Photos or documentation of project outcomes
- Optional: Participate in an interview with AFT staff (not a substitute for written reporting)
AFT will use this information to verify the permitted use of funds and evaluate the Program’s success.
Note: Interviews conducted by AFT Communications or Program staff are not considered sufficient to fulfill grant reporting needs. Awardees may be asked to participate in interviews, and should they opt-in, will be expected to do so in addition to the reporting guidelines set out above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- AFT has established the Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grant Program to support awardees who need financial assistance to undertake proposed activities that further AFT's charitable purposes. These grants are motivated by charitable intent. AFT, however, does not represent the tax consequences of an award, if any.
- AFT shall have no obligation to disburse amounts in excess of the approved grant, for services not completed, or goods or services not approved by AFT. Any expenses exceeding the grant maximum amount are the awardee’s responsibility.
- Expenses incurred before receiving a fully executed grant award agreement will not be reimbursable by the grant.
- Any unspent grant funds may be dedicated towards further services for the applicant, pending written AFT approval.
QUESTIONS
- Visit our website for more details: Farmland.org/grants
- If you have questions or need additional assistance completing your application, please contact Amanda Cather, Mid-Atlantic Deputy Director, at (202) 387-1244 or acather@farmland.org.
- If you are interested in attending an online Q&A session about this grant, please sign-up by clicking on the link(s) below:
REGISTER TO ATTEND A LIVE Q&A SESSION:
A Note on Language
We encourage you to be thoughtful and diligent in completing your application, but we will not evaluate applications by grammar or writing style. Complete the questions to the best of your ability and take advantage of the narrative questions to describe your farm, your personal and professional goals, and the challenges you face in reaching them. Feel free to write in the style or language that feels truest and most comfortable.