The Southeast US Farmer Grants—Infrastructure program is administered by the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA), a private nonprofit organization dedicated to building equitable and sustainable food systems. RAFI has long supported the viability and resiliency of farmers through advocacy, training, and direct funding support, with a particular focus on historically underserved farming populations.
The Infrastructure Grant targets farmers located in the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, specifically those operating in Alabama, Arkansas, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Eligible applicants must have been farming for at least three years and must have been at their current farm location for at least two years. This grant is focused on providing funding to improve infrastructure and farm systems—such as tools, structures, or related upgrades—that help increase productivity and sustainability. It is intended for farmers who are historically underserved under federal definitions.
The grant awards range between $5,000 and $10,000. The application process begins with a required eligibility quiz, which will be made available on February 23, 2026. All applicants must complete this quiz by March 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Upon completion of the quiz, a RAFI staff member will evaluate the applicant’s responses within one business hour (or within 24 hours if submitted outside of business hours). Applicants who are deemed eligible will receive an application link via email, while ineligible applicants will receive a notification and explanation.
The application itself requires applicants to provide a quote for the proposed infrastructure investment and the contact information of a reference. Only one RAFI Farmer Grant can be applied for per year. Submissions must be received no later than March 24, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications will be reviewed by an external committee composed of experienced farmers and agricultural experts. The review process typically takes two to three months, and awardees will be notified by email. The names of selected grantees will be announced publicly through a press release and on RAFI’s official website.
This is a highly competitive program. In the previous funding cycle (2025), only six percent of eligible applicants received funding. RAFI emphasizes the importance of accurate and complete submissions and encourages applicants to contact their grants team with questions at [email protected] or 919.542.1396 ext. 206.
While no explicit reference is made to recurring cycles, the structure of the application process and historical data suggest that the Infrastructure Grant is likely to continue on an annual basis. The program seeks to support farmer-led solutions to infrastructure needs that can improve long-term sustainability, and RAFI continues to position itself as a long-term partner to Southern and Mid-Atlantic farmers aiming to build resilient operations.
Highly competitive (6% acceptance rate); ensure complete and accurate submissions.
