Farm Grant Program

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The Farm Grant Program supports economic development and food security in Mendocino and Lake Counties by funding capacity-building projects on small farms. When small farms are successful the result is a strong local food system and a resilient agricultural community.

Strong grant candidates maximize food production for local consumption and prioritize providing affordable food for underserved members of our community.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 GRANT CYCLE CLOSED ON MARCH 7, 2025, 5:00 PM (PST)

2025 FARM GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES
The Good Farm Fund distributed $50,000 in 2025 to local food farms and ranches, who applied for grants in three tiers:

Tier 1: up to $3,000 (most are in this range)
Tier 2: $3,000 – $5,000 (several will be in this range)
Tier 3: Multi-Farm Applications: $5,000 – $10,000. (One or two will be in this range.) The Good Farm Fund will consider proposals up to $10,000 for collaborative projects submitted by two or more farms that are intended to provide a wider community benefit and/or serve multiple agricultural providers.

Application Process
Applications were submitted by completing the Google form on our website.

Grant recipients were determined by the Farm Grant Committee, a group comprised of experienced local farmers from Mendocino or Lake County, local food security advocates, and a representative of North Coast Opportunities (NCO), the Good Farm Fund’s fiscal sponsor. Any committee member who has an economic interest or tie to an applicant recused themselves for that application decision (occasional purchasing does not apply).

Applicant Requirements
Applicants must:

Own or have decision-making power in their farm or ranch operations.
Provide a Certified Producers Certificate.
Have owned or managed a commercial food farm/ranch operation for at least one year in Mendocino or Lake County.

Farm: The farm or ranch for which the money will be used must have a foundation of commercial food production, and all grant funding must be applied 100% to agricultural production.

Land: Applicants are not required to own land or machinery to apply. They should, however, show a dedication to farming and/or a contribution to the Mendocino and Lake County food system and have a written agreement establishing ongoing access to the property where the grant project will be implemented.

Crops: Grant money may not be used to purchase and/or propagate genetically engineered crops.

Grant Recipients: As a grant recipient, you will be expected to document your project including providing receipts for major purchases (if requested), proving photos, and tracking and reporting on the outcome and achievement of your project in a brief final report. Grant recipients may also be asked to present publicly about their project. Photographs and descriptions of completed projects may be featured on the Good Farm Fund website and in marketing materials produced by Good Farm Fund or its sponsors.

Applications will be graded by the committee on a 100-point scale:

NOTE: PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE GOOD FARM FUND IN THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR.

Section	Guidelines	Points
Impact of Project on Farm Business	Strongest applications will increase the capacity and/or efficiency of the farm business and/or an improved ability to support a farming livelihood, demonstrating one or more of the following: increased annual revenue, decreased inputs such as time or labor, increased food production, increased financial stability.	30
Impact of Project on Greater Community	Will the project create or expand a local food access point or significantly enrich a local market? Will the project meaningfully increase the local food supply? Does the project increase food access for underserved populations including (but not limited to) low-income, local tribes, senior citizens, undocumented community members, or children? Does the project enrich our local farming community through increased education/awareness of local food or sustainable farming practices?	20

Farming Experience and Professional References	Applicant meets the requirements described in these guidelines. Longevity in farming will be considered.	20
Description of Project, Goals, and Timeline	Clear and detailed descriptions are provided. The application is fully completed and easy to understand.	30

KEY DATES FOR GRANT APPLICANTS
Application published (2025 grant cycle opens)	February 10, 2025
Application Deadline	March 7, 5:00 PM PST
Grant recipients notified by phone/email	on or near March 21, 2025
Award celebration / distribution of checks	April 2, 2025, Ridgewood Ranch, 5 pm
Final Report Due	December 1, 2025