Farm Credit East AgEnhancement
Offers grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to support programs that promote agriculture, commercial fishing, and forest products in the Northeast, focusing on leadership development, economic viability, and industry awareness. Eligible projects must demonstrate long-term benefits to these industries, with past grants supporting youth leadership programs, market development for farm products, and economic studies on agricultural issues.

Massachusetts Society For Promoting Agriculture
Offers grants ranging from $500 to $25,000 for projects that benefit agriculture in Massachusetts by promoting economic and environmental sustainability, expanding support for farmers, and stimulating research. Priority is given to projects unlikely to receive government or corporate funding, focusing on sustainable agriculture, pest management, farmland preservation, and consumer education on local farm products.

The FruitGuys Community Fund
This grant offers up to $5,000 for U.S. farms, with eligibility limited to small and medium-sized farms operating for at least two years and 501(c)(3) agricultural nonprofits. Priority is given to projects focused on sustainability, community building, equity, water conservation, soil health, pollination, and supporting underrepresented farmers, including BIPOC and women.

Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Program
Offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 to farmers in the Northeast region to explore new ideas in sustainable agriculture through research, experiments, or demonstrations. Eligible applicants include all farm business owners and employees with long-term sustainability projects covering crop production, livestock, aquaculture, and climate-smart agriculture that must occur within the region.

Brighter Future Fund’s New England Regenerative Livestock Farming
This grant provides up to $10,000 to livestock farmers in select Massachusetts counties to adopt regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil health, water quality, and pollinator habitat.

Harold Grinspoon Foundation Local Farmer Awards
Farms in select Western Massachusetts counties with at least $10,000 in annual sales and 50% of revenue from their agricultural products can apply for grants ($650 to $2,500) for equipment or improvements.

AFT’s New England Regenerative Livestock Farming Grant
Livestock farmers in the Connecticut River Valley can apply for up to $10,000 to support the adoption of regenerative farming practices. These grants provide support for projects that improve soil health through the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, and fund projects that include fencing, cover crop seeds, reduced tillage equipment, irrigation, pasture establishment, pollinator habitat, and other conservation practices.

Non-Grant Resources 

NOFA/Mass Beginner Farmer Resources
Supports beginning farmers in Massachusetts by offering resources and programs to build sustainable livelihoods and food sovereignty. Our offerings include soil health workshops and a seven-week financial literacy course to help new farmers develop technical farming skills and improve farm business management.

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture
This technical assistance program will help farmers develop a customized plan for their farm’s environmental and business goals, with financial support for implementation. As a farmer researcher, you’ll collect soil health and climate resilience data, join a peer-learning community, and receive marketing support to share your farm’s climate impact story with customers.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
CISA provides numerous opportunities for farmers to grow their business and agricultural knowledge. They provide in-house assistance, referrals, and funding to meet one-on-one with outside professionals with various expertise. Requests for business assistance funding are considered on a rolling basis.

Massachusetts Department of Agriculture’s Best Management Practices
Site-specific, economically feasible practices that help farmers maintain profitable and environmentally sustainable operations, accounting for public health impacts. While best management practices provide non-regulatory guidance tailored to each farm, they offer evolving recommendations as practices and technologies advance.