Resources & Funding Opportunities

Welcome to OAK's Funding Page, where open and annual opportunities are shared with the community!

Search Open Grants and other Funding Opportunities

Search Grants and Funding Opportunities that are likely to open in the future

 

Latest Opportunities

Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC)

USDA is issuing $1.3 billion to specialty crop producers through a second round of funding. Visit the MASC webpage to learn more and read the press release here.

 
Livestock Conservancy Microgrants

Applications are due by August 15, 2025.

The Livestock Conservancy is accepting applications for its 2025-26 Microgrants. The national microgrant program provides grants from $500 to $2,000 to support residents and organizations of the U.S. who are actively working with livestock and poultry breeds listed on the Conservation Priority List. Funds can support improvements to a variety of farm-related operations, including, but not limited to, livestock, poultry, infrastructure, processing equipment or services, milk, meat, wool and egg production and sales, agritourism, promotions, and marketing. Youth microgrants specifically to support youth projects by individuals 12 to 18 years old are also offered. Breed Association Microgrants are also available to help associations and clubs improve services for their membership and conservation of breeds on the Conservation Priority List.

 
Business Builder Subaward Grants from the Appalachian Regional Food Business Center

Business Builder Subaward grants of up to $100,000 to support projects focused on emerging regional needs and businesses working toward expansion and entering new markets. Due to the funding freeze, this opportunity is not yet accepting applications this cycle. Check out these resources for all interested farmers and food businesses:

  • This pamphlet will help you determine if this funding is right for you and what track is best for your project.

  • This is the application template you will use to apply for funding.

  • Finally, here is the budget template you will use to lay out your budget.

For more information, contact [email protected] | (740) 677-4047ext 640 | appalachiarfbc.org 

 

 

 

Emergency Commodity Assistance Program

Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). Through ECAP, FSA is issuing up to $10 billion in direct payments to eligible agricultural producers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year to help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices   The ECAP application period started on March 19, 2025, and runs through Aug. 15, 2025.

 

 

 

Perennial Opportunities 
Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) 

NRCS offers financial and technical assistance through cost-share programs for land management practices, including the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP helps integrate conservation into working lands. OAK’s webinar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TjuC8EE68c) explains EQIP eligibility, application process, timeline, and program offerings. Learn more about NRCS programs here. 

 

 

Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF) project and program applications must be submitted to the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy. Applications must be received by the last Friday of each month to be referred to the board at the next monthly in-person meeting. KADF offers a variety of funding programs that are available at the county level for farmers to consider. Learn more and access the application materials on the KADF website.

  • COUNTY AGRICULTURAL INCENTIVES PROGRAM (CAIP): CAIP provides Kentucky agricultural producers with cost-share assistance on practices to allow them to improve and diversify their current farm operations. CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 incentive areas, including, but not limited to, bees and honey, equine, forage, beef and dairy cattle, goats and sheep, horticulture, poultry, swine, timber and technology, as well as energy efficiency and production, farm infrastructure and water enhancement, marketing, and value-added production.
  • DECEASED FARM ANIMAL REMOVAL (DAR): DAR serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.
  • NEXT GENERATION FARMER PROGRAM (NEXTGEN): NextGen addresses the growing need for a specialized program that would benefit producers ages 18 to 40 that have been engaged in an agricultural operation for a minimum of three years.
  • SHARED-USE EQUIPMENT PROGRAM: This program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis.
  • YOUTH AGRICULTURAL INCENTIVES PROGRAM (YOUTH/YAIP): YAIP encourages students ages 9 - 18 to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Kentucky State University Small Farm Grant Program 

KSU's Small Farm Grant Program helps farmers who want to improve their farming operations and marketability of their products through value-added enterprises.

 

 

SOAR Loan Opportunity for Southern and Eastern Kentucky

SOAR loan 

 

 

OAK is grateful to KCARD (Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development) for keeping this running list of active grants.