Grant Opportunities for Farmers

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Looking for business planning help for your farm? The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is now accepting applications from Massachusetts farm owners who wish to participate in one of these Department Farm Viability grant programs in Fiscal Year 2026 that provide business planning assistance.

The due date for all three of these applications is 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Those who need paper applications mailed to them can contact the program coordinator listed with each grant program.

Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP)
This program provides business planning and technical assistance to owners of established commercial farms that own and operate on farmland that is not protected by an APR or other restriction. The RFR with FVEP details and application is available at: Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) | Mass.gov or contact Laura Barley at Laura.Barley@mass.gov or 857-507-5548.

APR Improvement Program (AIP)
This program helps sustain active commercial farming on land that has already been protected through the state’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. The RFR with AIP details and application is available at: APR Improvement Program (AIP) | Mass.gov or contact Jess Camp at Jessica.Camp@mass.gov or 617-823-0871.

Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA)
MEGA assists beginning farms in business at least one (1) and no more than 10 years with the goal of developing their farm into a commercially viable operation. For more information and a MEGA RFR with application, go to: Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) | Mass.gov or contact Jess Camp at Jessica.Camp@mass.gov or 617-823-0871