Farm Grant Program

The Farm Grant Program, administered by the Good Farm Fund, is a regional capacity-building initiative aimed at supporting economic development and food security in Mendocino and Lake Counties, California. Founded on the belief that small farms are essential to a resilient and equitable local food system, the program offers funding to farms and ranches with demonstrated commitment to commercial food production. The grant seeks to enable these farms to improve their productivity, expand access to affordable food, and foster long-term sustainability within the region’s agricultural community. For the 2026 grant cycle, applications opened on February 20, 2026, and will close on March 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST. Eligible applicants must have owned or managed a commercial food farm or ranch in Mendocino or Lake County for at least one year. They must either own or have decision-making power over their farming operations, and provide proof of business such as a Certified Producers Certificate. Notably, applicants are not required to own land or machinery, but must show commitment to the region’s food system and demonstrate ongoing access to the land on which the project will take place. Flower farms, hobby farms, tourism farms, nonprofits, and value-added businesses such as bakeries are excluded from eligibility. The program offers three funding tiers: Tier 1 grants of up to $3,000, which represent the majority of awards; Tier 2 grants ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, intended for several recipients; and Tier 3 collaborative grants for $5,000 to $10,000, which will be awarded to one or two projects that involve multiple farms working together to create broader community benefits. All grant funds must be used directly for agricultural production. The use of funds for genetically engineered crops or non-agricultural activities is not permitted. These grants are strictly one-time awards aimed at increasing farm capacity, not covering general operating expenses. Applications are submitted via a Google Form and evaluated by a Farm Grant Committee composed of local farmers, food security advocates, and community members. Members with economic ties to applicants must recuse themselves from related decisions. Proposals will be scored based on a 100-point rubric that assesses the quality and impact of the proposed project (30 points), community impact (20 points), applicant experience and references (20 points), and clarity and feasibility of the proposal and budget (30 points). Successful applicants are expected to track their project progress, retain receipts for major purchases upon request, and submit a final report detailing outcomes by December 1, 2027. They may also be asked to present their project publicly and allow their project details to be used in promotional materials. Grant recipients from 2025 are not eligible for the 2026 cycle but may reapply the following year. Notifications of awards will be issued in early April 2026, and the date for the award celebration and distribution of checks will be announced later. Overall, the Farm Grant Program embodies a community-driven approach to strengthening regional agriculture. By supporting small to mid-sized farms that prioritize food access and sustainability, the program reinforces a vision of a thriving local food economy responsive to the needs of underserved populations.