This is my 10th year in farming, am I eligible to apply?

The grant program uses the language “entered into farming within the last 10 years” to define eligibility on this point. Because 2024 is not complete, people who entered into farming in 2014 or after may apply for this grant.

No

After a successful applicant signs the grant contract with the MDA, they will have no more than two years from the date the contract is signed, or a deadline of June 2027 (whichever comes first), to use the funds awarded to them.

If I am awarded the grant, how long do I have to make the purchases with these funds?

After a successful applicant signs the grant contract with the MDA, they will have no more than two years from the date the contract is signed, or a deadline of June 2027 (whichever comes first), to use the funds awarded to them.

No

In order to determine the gross farm product sales from 2023 using Schedule F (cash method), please follow this approach:

  • Add Line 1c to Line 2, and then if Lines 3a or 3b includes per unit retains that were not included in Line 2, also add those to the gross farm product sales to get the total. If 3a and 3b are blank, just add 1c and 2 together and this will be your gross farm product sales from 2023.
How do I use my 2023 Schedule F to calculate gross farm product sales?

In order to determine the gross farm product sales from 2023 using Schedule F (cash method), please follow this approach:

  • Add Line 1c to Line 2, and then if Lines 3a or 3b includes per unit retains that were not included in Line 2, also add those to the gross farm product sales to get the total. If 3a and 3b are blank, just add 1c and 2 together and this will be your gross farm product sales from 2023.
No

Yes, fencing supplies and installment costs for agricultural crops are eligible. The fencing could be either permanent or temporary/portable.

If you are looking for technical assistance related to fencing installation and supply costs, consider contacting: 

Would fencing supplies to exclude wildlife from vegetable production be eligible for funding with the grant? Does it matter if the fencing is permanent or or the portable woven wire type?

Yes, fencing supplies and installment costs for agricultural crops are eligible. The fencing could be either permanent or temporary/portable.

If you are looking for technical assistance related to fencing installation and supply costs, consider contacting: 

No

If you are contributing your labor to a farm business that has been filing taxes for more than 10 years, unfortunately you will not qualify for this grant.

Keep in mind that you need to be providing the majority of labor and management on a farm to apply for this grant.

I'm a beginning farmer with less than 10 years of experience and I'm joining my family's farm which has been in operation for more than 10 years. Do I qualify for this grant?

If you are contributing your labor to a farm business that has been filing taxes for more than 10 years, unfortunately you will not qualify for this grant.

Keep in mind that you need to be providing the majority of labor and management on a farm to apply for this grant.

No

Applications will not be moved from full grant into mini grant, applications will only be considered at the level they are submitted.

​​​​​​Both the mini and full grant applications will be judged on their merit. The mini grants will be judged first and half of the funds are reserved for these grants. Any remaining funds after the mini grants are awarded will be moved into the funds for the full grants.

The MDA expects to award $800,000 using a competitive review process.