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, capable of facing ongoing challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the impacts of wildfires and climate change.
Strong grant candidates demonstrate environmentally beneficial practices, maximize food production for local consumption, and prioritize providing affordable food for underserved members of our community.
APPLY NOW: CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY MARCH 15, 5:00 PM (PST)
GOOD FARM FUND
2024 FARM GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES
The Good Farm Fund’s 2024 grants will distribute $40,000 or more to local farms and ranches, who can apply for grants in two tiers.
- Tier 1: $500 – $4,000
- Tier 2: $4,000 – $7,000. Tier 2 applicants may be required to complete an interview with the farm grant committee.
- Tier 2 Multi-Farm Applications: $4,000 – $14,000. The Good Farm Fund will consider proposals up to $14,000 for collaborative projects submitted a group of applicants that are intended to provide a wider community benefit and/or serve multiple agricultural providers.
The application process opens March 1, 2024. Awardees will be notified by phone and email when a decision has been made, the estimated date is April 15, 2024.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted by completing the google form on our website. Applications should be completed by March 15 at 5:00 PM (PST), 2024. If you have questions about the application, please email us at: goodfarmfund@gmail.com. Grant recipients are 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 will recuse 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. Applicants operating leased land must provide a lease agreement.
- Farms must provide a Certified Producers Certificate.
- Applicants must have owned or managed a commercial food farm/ranch operation for at least one year in Mendocino or Lake County, or worked on commercial food farms/ranches in Mendocino or Lake County for at least three years. Temporary workers such as are not eligible for funding.
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? |
20 |
|
Demonstration of Financial Need |
Strongest applications will demonstrate current financial need, and demonstrate that Good Farm Fund support is needed. |
20 |
|
Farming Experience and Professional References |
Applicant meets the requirements described in these Guidelines. |
20 |
|
Description of Project, Goals, and Timeline |
Clear and detailed descriptions are provided. |
10 |
|
KEY DATES FOR GRANT APPLICANTS |
|
|
Application published (2020 grant cycle opens) |
March 1, 2024 |
|
Application Deadline |
March 15, 5:00 PM PST |
|
Grant recipients notified by phone/email |
April 15 |
|
Checks Mailed before |
May 1 |
|
Final Report Due |
December 1, 2024 |