Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
Open Opportunities (1)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Deadline: Jun 16, 2026 · up to $750K
See all grants from National Institute of Food and Agriculture →
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 10.311 (USAspending.gov).
- Regents Of The University Of Minnesota $1,195,000
- University Of Hawaii $799,875
- Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment, Inc. $799,773
- Appalachian State University $799,625
- Board Of Regents Of Nevada System Of Higher Education $794,551
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University $792,006
- Chicago Horticultural Society $791,689
- Calypso Farm And Ecology Center $789,718
- Organic Seed Alliance $788,207
- Michigan State University $783,570
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The primary goal of BFRDP is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide training, education, outreach and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability. The term “farmer” is used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers, and nonindustrial private forest owners and managers.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- For-Profit Organization
- U.S. State Government
- Nonprofit Organization
- Other
The recipient must be a collaborative, State, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities, which may include: state cooperative extension service; community-based and nongovernmental organization; college or university (including institutions awarding associate degrees); or any other appropriate partner. Others may be eligible to apply. Please refer to Part III of the current BFRDP Request for Applications for complete eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this NOFO.
Successful applicants receive two types of notifications in the award phase: informal and formal. After award recommendations are complete, NIFA will provide an informal notification to the potential awardee. This informal notification is not an authorization to begin performance.
After the award is finalized, a formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA), signed by the Authorized Departmental Officer, will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the recipient's Authorized Representative.
The NoA will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the information described in 2 CFR 200.211 (see NIFA’s Terms and Conditions).
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
From 30 to 60 days.
Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.
Program details & compliance
Description
The BFRD Program supports new and established local and regional training, education, outreach and technical assistance initiatives to increase opportunities for beginning farmers or ranchers.
Mission Categories
Primary: Agricultural Resource Conservation and Development
Other categories:
Research and Development
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Competitive grants are made to support:
(A) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
(B) resources and referral;
(C) assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring
farmers and ranchers;
(D) innovative farm and ranch transfer strategies;
(E) entrepreneurship and business training;
(F) model land leasing contracts;
(G) financial management training;.
(H) whole farm planning;
(I) conservation assistance;
(J) risk management education;
(K) diversification and marketing strategies;
(L) curriculum development;
(M) understanding the impact of concentration and globalization;
(N) basic livestock and crop farming practices;
(O) the acquisition and management of agricultural credit;
(P) environmental compliance;
(Q) information processing; and
(R) other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers.
In addition, cooperative agreements may be awarded to establish Education Teams:
(1) In General:
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall establish beginning farmer and rancher education teams to develop curricula and conduct educational programs and workshops for beginning farmers or ranchers in diverse geographical areas of the United States.
(2) Curriculum:
In promoting the development of curricula, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include modules tailored to specific audiences of beginning farmers or ranchers, based on crop or regional diversity.
(3) Composition:
In establishing an education team for a specific program or workshop, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable:
(A) obtain the short-term services of specialists with knowledge and expertise in programs serving beginning farmers or ranchers; and
(B) use officers and employees of the Department with direct experience in programs of the Department that may be taught as part of the curriculum for the program or workshop.
(4) Cooperation:
(A) In General:
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with:
(i) State cooperative extension services;
(ii) Federal and State agencies;
(iii) community-based and nongovernmental organizations;
(iv) colleges and universities (including an institution awarding an associate’s degree) or foundations maintained by a college or university; and
(v) other appropriate partners, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Cooperative Agreement:
Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the terms of any cooperation under subparagraph (A).
An award also may be made to establish a Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse.
The Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes available to beginning farmers or ranchers education curricula and training materials and programs, which may include online courses for direct use by beginning farmers or ranchers.
Set-Aside:
Not less than 25 percent of funds used to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services that address the needs of:
(A) limited resource beginning farmers or ranchers (as defined by the Secretary);
(B) socially disadvantaged beginning farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)); and
(C) farmworkers desiring to become farmers or ranchers.
Restrictions
Section 12301 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) 7 U.S.C. 2279(l) (7) limits indirect costs for this program to 10% of total federal funds awarded. Therefore, when preparing budgets, applicants for Standard Grants, and Education Teams (ETs), proposals must limit their requests for recovery of indirect costs to 10 percent of the total funds requested.
Required Documentation
Applicants (unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) must (1): Have an active SAM registration prior to applying; (2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration or an active federal award. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
Matching Requirements
Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, [7 U.S.C. 3319f].
To be eligible to receive a grant under this program, a recipient must provide a match in the form of cash or in-kind contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the funds provided by the grant.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements