Deadline: 8 February 2017
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is currently inviting applications for its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
The primary goal of BFRDP is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the U.S. and its territories to enter and/or improve their success in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance to give beginning farmers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations, and enhance their sustainability.
Programs and Services
- Basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices;
- Innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial forest land transfer strategies;
- Entrepreneurship and business training;
- Financial and risk management training (including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit);
- Natural resource management and planning;
- Diversification and marketing strategies;
- Curriculum development;
- Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
- Resources and referral;
- Farm financial benchmarking;
- Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers;
- Agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans;
- Farm safety and awareness; and
- Other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers.
Target Audiences
- At least five percent (5%) of the program funds available for standard BFRDP projects will be allocated to address the needs of limited resource beginning farmers and ranchers; socially disadvantaged beginning farmers or ranchers; and/or farm workers (including immigrants) desiring to become beginning farmers or ranchers.
- At least five percent (5%) of the program funds available for standard BFRDP projects will be allocated to address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers who are military veterans.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $17,700,000
- Award Ceiling: $600,000
- Award Floor: $300,000
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications may only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities.
- These collaborations may include the following entities: State Cooperative Extension Services; Federal, State, or tribal agencies; community based organizations (CBOs); nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); junior and four-year colleges or universities or foundations maintained by a college or university; and private for-profit organizations. Inclusion of beginning and/or non-beginning farmers and ranchers as part of the collaborative group is strongly encouraged.
- Applications submitted by individuals, or by organizations that do not involve other entities in a network or partnership, are not eligible for consideration under any category applicable to the BFRDP and will be excluded from review
How to Apply
Applicants can apply electronically via given website.
Eligible Country: United States
For more information, please visit grants.gov.