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Resources · Farmers and growers

Grants and programs for small farms

USDA and state grants, conservation programs, farmers market programs and the technical help small growers can get for free.

Subvenciones del USDA y del estado, programas de conservación, programas de mercados de agricultores y ayuda técnica gratuita para pequeños productores.

8 programs · updated from the Resources database; every number is checked on the program's own page.

  1. CDFA - Grant Programs

    El Departamento de Alimentos y Agricultura de California (CDFA) ofrece unos 30 programas de subvenciones competitivos para agricultores, ganaderos, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, escuelas y gobiernos. Solicitar nunca cuesta nada. Al 27 de septiembre de 2026 no hay ninguna convocatoria abierta; las rondas de Healthy Soils y SWEEP de la primavera de 2026 ya cerraron. Suscríbase a las listas de cada programa en cdfa.ca.gov/grants para enterarse de la próxima ronda.

    Worth
    Varies by program (a few thousand dollars to $500,000+ per project)
    Who qualifies
    Farmers and ranchers; nonprofits and tribal governments; K‑12 schools, colleges and universities; city, county and state government agencies; some food businesses (food hubs, corner stores, certified farmers’ markets)
    Phone
    (916) 657‑3231 – CDFA Grants Office phone number
    Website
    cdfa.ca.gov/grants/#programs

  2. CDFA - Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

    CDFA - Programa de Nutrición del Mercado de Agricultores para Personas Mayores

    Who qualifies
    Adults 60 years and older with low income (≤185 % of federal poverty level) who reside in California
    Phone
    916-214-1381 – CDFA SFMNP contact phone
    Website
    cdfa.ca.gov/SeniorFarmersMrktNutritionPrgm

  3. Central Sierra Healthy Soils Program

    Programa de Suelos Saludables de la Sierra Central

    Worth
    $5,000
    Who qualifies
    Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
    Website
    centralsierrahsp.com/?fbclid=IwAR0iLosYWNqBDybkEUa3Sb1LfC3mw7KaPSQQZqcN4tpQkV4WijNu5SSQ_XE

  4. Environmental Quality Incentives Program | Natural Resources Conservation Service

    Programa de Incentivos de Calidad Ambiental | Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales

    Who qualifies
    agricultural producers, forest landowners
    Phone
    none
    Website
    nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/environmental-quality-incentives-program

  5. FARMER GRANTS | Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District

    FARMER GRANTS | Distrito de Gestión de Calidad del Aire de Northern Sierra

    Worth
    $150 million
    Who qualifies
    Farmers and operators of agricultural equipment in California; equipment must be used in farming and meet emission tier requirements (when applications are open).
    Phone
    530‑832‑0102 ext 3 – contact phone for Melissa Klundby.
    Website
    myairdistrict.com/farmer-grants

  6. Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC)

    Worth
    Ended Jan 2025 — reference only (paid producers by sales tier, up to a $125,000 per-person cap)
    Phone
    none
    Website
    fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/marketing-assistance-specialty-crops-masc

  7. Nevada County Compost Connector — rebate up to $14/ton on compost for farmers and ranchers

    Compost Connector del Condado de Nevada — reembolso de hasta $14 por tonelada de composta para agricultores y ganaderos

    Worth
    Up to $14 per ton (minimum 5 tons)
    Who qualifies
    Nevada County farmers and ranchers growing food or beverage products for human consumption; buy at least 5 tons from a Zero Foodprint-approved supplier after approval
    Phone
    (530) 265-7111 (Nevada County Solid Waste)
    Website
    zerofoodprint.org/cc-nevada-county

  8. What is Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)? - Placer Resource Conservation District

    ¿Qué es la Asistencia Técnica en Conservación (CTA)? - Distrito de Conservación de Recursos de Placer

    Worth
    $0
    Who qualifies
    Farmers, ranchers, backyard and community gardeners, small-scale farmers, forestland owners, residents within the Placer RCD service area, federal land management agencies, county and municipal government, land managers, organizations
    Phone
    Phone Numbers: - None
    Website
    placerrcd.org/technical-assistance/what-is-technical-assistance