The Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) offers the Caribbean Infrastructure Grant to support farmers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. This grant is intended to fund infrastructure projects that enhance farm viability, promote community food sovereignty, and preserve traditional and cultural farming practices. The program also aims to strengthen local food economies by providing targeted financial assistance to individual farmers and collaborative farming groups.
Farmers may apply for funding amounts between $3,000 and $5,000. Both individual farm projects and cooperative or collective projects are eligible to apply, provided they meet all eligibility criteria. The funds can be used to implement on-farm projects that improve sustainability, create new market opportunities, repurpose existing farm infrastructure, add value through processing and packaging, or preserve agrarian traditions. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate a strong impact on farm viability, financial need, and adherence to agroecological or ancestral farming practices.
To be eligible, applicants must have at least three years of farming experience, including two years at their current farming location. The farm must be located in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and applicants must not have received a RAFI Caribbean Infrastructure Grant in the past three years (2022-2024). Additionally, applications must include a community education component, such as knowledge-sharing with fellow farmers, participation in educational events, or involvement in farmer networks. If applying as a cooperative or collective, at least 50% of the members must meet the eligibility requirements.
Applications must be submitted by March 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Atlantic Time). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Each application must include a completed grant form, a cost quote, and reference contact information. The review process, conducted by an external committee of farmers and agricultural experts, typically takes two to three months. Selected awardees will be notified via email, and the results will be publicly announced through a press release and on the RAFI website.
Applicants do not need to hire external consultants to complete their applications, and RAFI offers direct assistance to those in need. For questions or support during the application process, interested applicants may contact Carolina at carolina@rafiusa.org or via WhatsApp at +57 3227107673. Additional inquiries can also be made by calling 919.542.1396 ext. 206. The RAFI-USA office is located in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and their mailing address is P.O. Box 640, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
