Traditional Sources

You have come across a grant opportunity and are wondering whether it’s worth your time to apply. While grant funding can be an excellent resource to support your farm or food business, applying for grants is time-consuming, competitive, and often complex. Your first step should be evaluating whether the opportunity is the right fit for your goals and whether the potential return justifies the effort required.

Step 1: Clarify Your Needs and Funding Goals

Before applying for any grant, define the specific need or project you’re trying to fund. Ask yourself:

• What are the objectives of this project?
• How much money will it take to complete it?
• Is this a one-time cost or part of a larger, ongoing effort?

Having clear, realistic answers will guide you in selecting the most suitable grants and help you craft a focused proposal.

Step 2: Assess Grant Eligibility

Carefully read the eligibility requirements for any grant you’re considering. Funders often target specific applicant types—such as beginning farmers, nonprofits, or businesses in underserved areas. Make sure you:

• Fully meet the eligibility criteria
• Can supply all required documentation
• Understand any restrictions on how funds can be used

Neglecting to meet even one eligibility detail can lead to immediate disqualification.

Step 3: Evaluate Alignment with Grant Objectives

Your proposal will be strongest when your goals align closely with the funder's mission. Look for grant programs that support projects similar to yours and examine their past grantees to see what types of projects were funded. Funders often post these examples on their websites.

Study their language, tone, and structure to better understand what they’re looking for. Then use that terminology in your own proposal to show that your project fits priorities.

Step 4: Start Drafting the Two Core Sections

Begin building your application by working on the Project Overview and Proposed Budget simultaneously. These sections must align—every goal in your overview should be matched by a justified line item in your budget.

Clearly define:

• What you plan to do
• Why the project matters
• How much it will cost
• What the expected outcomes are

This process will often draw directly from your existing business plan, which is another reason to keep that document current.

Step 5: Develop a Proposal Timeline and Checklist

Grant applications often require more than just a proposal. You may need to gather:

• Financial statements
• Letters of support
• Partner agreements
• Proof of eligibility or business documentation

Build a timeline that allows for writing, editing, gathering documents, and submitting before the deadline. If submitting online, register in advance and upload early to avoid technical problems. Missed or late submissions are rarely accepted.

Step 6: Write a Strong, Clear Proposal

When writing your grant narrative, keep your language simple, direct, and persuasive. Be sure to:

• Follow the funder’s required format and outline
• Use measurable outcomes (e.g., “increase vegetable production by 25% on 1 acre”)
• Show how the grant will make a real impact
• Describe your capacity and partnerships that support success

Use the grant’s own language to describe your goals. For example, if the grant supports "expanding access to local produce,” your proposal might say:

“Funding from this grant will be used to install raised beds on our farm, increasing our seasonal vegetable yields. This will enable us to expand product offerings at our farm stand and local farmers market, directly supporting community access to fresh, local produce.”

This technique—called mirroring language—makes it easier for reviewers to connect your proposal to the grant’s goals.

Step 7: Edit and Review

Once your proposal is written, set aside time for thorough editing. Check for:

• Grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors
• Inconsistent fonts or formatting
• Gaps in logic or unclear objectives

Ask a friend or mentor to review your application. A second set of eyes can catch issues you may have missed and ensure clarity for reviewers who may not know your project in depth.

Don’t Be Discouraged

Grant funding is competitive, especially in agriculture and food entrepreneurship. Many successful applicants were denied on their first try. The more grants you apply for, the better your understanding of the process and the stronger your applications will become over time.

Resources

• Grants.gov – Central source for federal grant opportunities across all agencies.
• USDA Grants and Loans – Information on USDA programs, including conservation, marketing, and rural development.
• SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) – Offers competitive grants to farmers, educators, and researchers pursuing sustainable ag projects.
• Resources in Maryland
  • Conservation Grants - provides conservation grants and loans to help farmers offset the cost of installing best management practices on their farms to protect natural resources and com​ply with federal, state, and local environmental requirements.
  • Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) - offers targeted grant incentive funding to help farmers and resource-based industry business owners achieve profitability and sustainability
  • Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program - provides financial assistance to support small-scale agricultural operations located in urban, peri-urban, rural, and suburban areas.

The following list of potential funders and grant opportunities is provided for informational purposes only. We do not endorse, promote, or guarantee the accuracy, availability, or outcomes of any specific funding source listed. This information was compiled from publicly available resources and is shared solely to assist individuals and organizations in exploring possible funding options. We encourage all applicants to conduct their own due diligence and review the specific requirements and criteria for each opportunity before submitting an application.

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