Agricultural, environmental, and bio-based grants in the United States are funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with significant additional programs from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Eligible recipients include farmers and ranchers, agricultural businesses, rural homeowners, researchers, non-profits, and state and local governments.
USDA programs by category
Research grants — NIFA
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is the primary research-funding arm. Its major competitive programs include:
- Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) — the USDA's flagship competitive grants program for fundamental and applied agricultural research, education, and extension. Multi-year awards typically range from tens of thousands to several million dollars depending on program area.
- Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) — research and extension for high-priority fruit, vegetable, tree nut, dried fruit, and nursery crop issues.
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) — USDA — Phase I awards up to $175,000 and Phase II awards up to $650,000 (program parameters change between cycles; confirm current numbers at the USDA SBIR program page).
NIFA grants generally go to land-grant universities, research institutions, and small businesses — not to individual farmers.
Conservation programs — NRCS
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers conservation cost-share programs that do reach individual producers:
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) — cost-share for conservation practices (cover crops, irrigation, nutrient management, livestock facilities, forestry practices). Producers apply through their local NRCS office.
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) — annual payments to producers who maintain and add conservation activities across the operation.
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) — assistance for protecting working farmland and wetlands.
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) — partnerships among NRCS, producers, and state/local entities.
Farm Service Agency programs
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers direct and guaranteed farm loan programs and disaster assistance. Most FSA programs are loans, not grants, but the agency also administers:
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) — risk protection for crops not covered by federal crop insurance.
- Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP) — assistance for losses not covered by other programs.
- Disaster programs — drought, wildfire, flood (LFP, LIP, ECP, EFRP).
Rural Development grants
USDA Rural Development operates a broad portfolio of grants and loans for rural communities, businesses, and homeowners:
- Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) — small grants to public bodies and non-profits supporting rural small businesses.
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) — grants up to 25 % of project cost (with caps; confirm current cap at REAP program page) for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable-energy systems or energy-efficiency improvements.
- Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) — grants for fuel infrastructure expanding higher-blend ethanol and biodiesel use.
- Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants (Section 504) — up to $10,000 lifetime grants for very-low-income elderly rural homeowners (see /home-improvement-grants).
- Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program — essential community facility projects in rural areas.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)
Administered by state departments of agriculture with federal funds — grants for projects enhancing competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, nuts, nursery crops, and horticulture. Apply through your state department of agriculture.
Beginning farmer and underserved producer programs
- Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) — competitive grants to organizations training beginning farmers.
- Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access (Increasing Land Access) Program — supports farmers from underserved groups.
EPA environmental grants
The Environmental Protection Agency funds a broad portfolio of grants. Programs most relevant to individuals, communities, and small organizations include:
- Environmental Justice Grants — for community-based projects addressing environmental and public-health issues in disadvantaged communities.
- Brownfields Program — grants to clean up contaminated sites for redevelopment.
- Clean Diesel Grants (DERA) — funding to reduce emissions from diesel engines.
- Source Reduction Assistance / Pollution Prevention Grants — pollution-prevention projects.
- Water Infrastructure (Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds) — pass-through funding to states.
DOE energy and biofuel programs
The Department of Energy funds renewable energy and biofuel research and deployment through:
- Bioenergy Technologies Office — biofuel research grants.
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) — pass-through funding to states for low-income home weatherization (see /housing-grants).
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy R&D grants — typically to universities, national labs, and companies.
Tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 are also available for residential and commercial clean-energy investments — these are not grants but reduce tax owed.
How to apply
- Start at your local USDA Service Center — find yours at farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator. NRCS and FSA staff are co-located and can advise on conservation cost-share, disaster, and loan programs.
- For research grants, register on sam.gov and apply through grants.gov.
- For REAP and rural development grants, contact your state USDA Rural Development office at rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
- For Specialty Crop Block Grants, apply through your state department of agriculture.
- For EPA opportunities, search epa.gov/grants.
There is no application fee for any legitimate USDA, EPA, or DOE grant.
Common questions
Are USDA grants taxable? For-profit recipients (farm businesses, small companies) generally include grant funds in taxable income. NRCS cost-share payments for conservation practices may qualify for partial income exclusion under IRC Section 126 for certain practices — consult a tax professional and the program's tax-treatment guidance.
Can I get a USDA grant to start a farm? Most USDA programs that fund beginning farmers operate as loans, not grants (FSA's Beginning Farmer programs). Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grants go to training organizations, which then deliver programs to new farmers.
Do I qualify if I farm part-time? EQIP, CSP, and Specialty Crop Block Grant programs do not require full-time farming, but you generally need to be operating an eligible agricultural enterprise. Your local NRCS office can advise on eligibility.
What is "rural" under USDA definitions? Each program uses its own definition, generally based on population (often under 20,000 or 50,000) and proximity to urbanized areas. Check the program page or ask your local USDA RD office.