Farm and Farmers Market SNAP Retailer Sign-Up
Friday, April 12, 2024, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westboro, MA
Get your farm or farmers market authorized for SNAP at MDAR’s Agricultural Resource Fair on April 12 in Westboro. At this drop-in information session, you can get your farm, farm stand or farmers market authorized for SNAP to receive your USDA FNS number. MarketLink staff will be on site to walk you through the process and assist with your application. Apply for MarketLink’s subsidized SNAP processing equipment or stop by and get your SNAP processing questions answered.
SNAP Retailer Sign-Up: Things to Bring
If you intend on getting an FNS number (SNAP retailer authorization), please bring copies of the following documents for all principal business owners to be included with your application:
- Picture ID (driver’s license or passport).
- Social Security Card (or other official document with your name and SSN, i.e., top page of tax return).
- Copy of voided check for bank account you will use to deposit funds.
For Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Only: Farmers Markets operated/sponsored by a non-profit are the ONLY applicants that are not required to submit verification of a Social Security number for corporate officers/board members.
Documentation Required:
- Copy of the IRS Determination Letter stating the organization is a 501(c)(3). A (C)(4) and (C)(6) will not be accepted.
- Letter from the sponsoring agency stating that they are sponsoring the farmers market and who they have appointed as their legal representative to operate the farmers market.
- The application must be signed by a corporate officer or a board member.
For Government Owned/Operated Farmers Markets Only
- Copy of the City/Town IRS EIN/TIN Tax Exempt Letter.
- City/Town Official must sign the Application Certification Page.
- Photo ID for the city/town official signing.
- No personal information is required or needed.
For More Information contact: David Webber, Department of Agricultural Resources, david.webber@mass.gov or 857-348-3689.
Non-profit agricultural stakeholders and service providers including MDAR’s Federal-State Partners will be offering the Massachusetts agricultural farming community up-to-date timely resource information including information on services, funding, and technical assistance programs to provide a ‘One-Stop Shopping’ resource opportunity for those that attend.
The Fair’s goal is to assist in making the agricultural industries in Massachusetts sustainable and viable. There is no fee to participate, and locally sourced snacks will be provided throughout the day. Please let us know you are coming by filling out this form. Registration is not required but would be greatly appreciated to get an accurate count of attendees. For more information including a list of exhibitors (coming soon) go to the fair’s website. For other questions about the Agricultural Resource Fair, please contact Mary Jordan, at mary.jordan@mass.gov or 617-459-8747.
Open Application Period for MDAR’s Grant Programs
MDAR is now accepting applications for operations who wish to participate in the Department’s grant programs. Grants are available to help agricultural operations with business planning and technical assistance, as well as to make farm improvements that enhance their economic viability, help prevent negative impacts to environmental resource, adapt and mitigate climate change, improve energy efficiency, and adopt renewable energy technologies. In addition, grants are available to help fund projects that support food ventures in low- or moderate-income communities, and urban agriculture projects. **New to MDAR** is the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program (see below) which funds projects that ensure that farmers, fishermen, and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system while providing greater, more equitable access to local food.
Applicants are encouraged to review the information and Request for Response (RFR) on the individual program’s webpage. If interested in applying, applications must be submitted with any supporting documentation by the program’s deadline.
Viability Grant Programs
MDAR is accepting applications from Massachusetts farmers who wish to participate in one of the Viability Grant Programs. This includes the Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP),the APR Improvement Program (AIP), and the Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) programs. These programs help with project planning and overall farm viability. The RFR containing program details and the application form is posted on COMMBUYS and can be accessed through a link on each program website below. If you would like an application mailed to you, contact the program coordinator listed below.
The due date for these three applications is Thursday April 18, 2024.
Viability Grants Webinar: Tuesday, March 19 @4:00pm – register here to attend to learn more about these three programs.
Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP)
For established farms: This program provides business planning and technical assistance to develop or update a business plan for established commercial farms that own and operate unrestricted farmland. In return for a short-term covenant to keep the land in agricultural use, operators may be eligible for grants to implement capital projects on the farm that have been identified in the business plan completed through the program. Grant levels have increased: up to $100,000, $150,000, or $200,000, depending on the size of the farm and acreage protected, in return for a 10 or 15-year term covenant. Uses of funds will vary depending on the needs of the farm – examples include, but are not limited to, new or improved livestock barns or farm stores; purchasing delivery vehicles, tractors, or haying equipment; constructing food processing or storage facilities.
Applications Due: 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2024
Website: Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) | Mass.gov
Contact: Laura Barley at Laura.Barley@mass.gov or (857) 507-5548.
APR Improvement Program (AIP)
For APR farms: This program helps sustain active commercial farming on land that has already been protected through the state’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. AIP provides business planning and technical assistance to farmers selected to participate in the program and grants may be available to implement identified capital improvements on the farm to increase productivity and profitability. Grant levels are up to $90,000; $125,000; or $150,000 depending on the size of the farm and acreage under APR, available on a cost reimbursement basis with a required 10% match contribution. AIP funds are used primarily for capital improvements to farm infrastructure such as new or improved buildings for equipment, hay storage, livestock housing, farm stores or processing facilities; or resource improvements for agricultural use, such as orchard renovations or perimeter fencing.
Applications Due: 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2024
Website: APR Improvement Program (AIP) | Mass.gov
Contact: Melissa Adams at Melissa.L.Adams@mass.gov or (413) 726-2001
Matching Enterprise Grants Program (MEGA)
For beginning farmers: This program provides business planning and technical assistance, and grant funds may be available on a one-to-one matching cash reimbursement basis. Funds may be used for equipment, infrastructure, or other capital improvements identified through the business planning process that will have a positive impact on the farm’s viability. Common uses of MEGA grant funds include, but are not limited to, greenhouses, barn renovations, tractor implements, chicken coops, farmstands, and refrigerated trucks.
Expanded eligibility and grant levels continue – MEGA now assists beginning farmers who have been in business at least one (1) and no more than ten (10) years and are developing their farms into commercially viable operations. Grant levels are up to $10,000, $20,000,or $30,000, based on the number of years the farm has been in business, minimum gross income, and whether the farm has received a prior MEGA award. Prior MEGA participants may be eligible to apply for a second award – see the Request for Response (RFR) for details.
Applications Due: 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2024
Website: Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) | Mass.gov
Contact: Jess Camp at Jessica.Camp@mass.gov or (617) 823-0871
Food Access Programs
Urban Agriculture Program
MDAR seeks proposals for funding projects to support commercial urban food production and community-based food production in the Commonwealth. MDAR’s Urban Agriculture Program is seeking to award grants statewide to promote strategies addressing food insecurity, to expand and create new economic opportunities and to increase access to fresh, local produce in urban neighborhoods.
Applications Due: 4:00 PM on Monday, May 6, 2024
Website: Urban Agriculture Program | Mass.gov
Contact: Rose Arruda at Rose.Arrruda@mass.gov or (617) 851-3644
Food Ventures Program
MDAR seeks proposals for funding projects that will advance the Massachusetts Food Ventures Program (“MFVP”), help to implement the objectives of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan and provide economic opportunities that promote job creation enterprises or new businesses. MDAR is seeking to award grants statewide, primarily in communities of low or moderate income, to individuals or entities with experience developing and supporting food businesses.
Applications Due: 4:00 PM on Monday, May 6, 2024
Website: Food Ventures Grant | Mass.gov
Contact: Rose Arruda at Rose.Arrruda@mass.gov or (617) 851-3644
Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG)
The FSIG Program seeks to ensure that farmers, commercial fishermen, and other local food producers are better engaged with a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate food supply and distribution disruptions, as well as to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have equitable access to food, with a focus on food that is produced locally. Participants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants up to $500,000.
Applications Due: 4:00 PM on Thursday, May 2, 2024
Website: Food Security Infrastructure Grant | Mass.gov
Contact: Laura Maul at Laura.Maul@mass.gov or (857) 507-5972
Additional Grants
Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on APRs (SARA)
For APR Owners – This grant helps improve the status and condition of farmland that has been protected by an MDAR Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR). The goal of SARA is to restore the overall utilization of APR land resources for commercial agriculture. Grant funds of up to $35,000 are available on a cost reimbursement basis with a 15% match of total project costs required by the farm participant.
SARA provides funding to help address stewardship issues and restore active commercial farming on APR land. Funds must be used for projects to restore inactive farmland back into active commercial agricultural use or to restore resources for increased agricultural production on existing APR farmland. Responder must not have been the original owner of the property when the land was placed under the APR unless the proposed restoration is in response to damage caused by a natural disaster or third party. Leasing farmers (including future heirs with leases) are also eligible. Details about eligibility of participants and projects is contained in the RFR linked below.
Applications Due: 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2024
Website: Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on APRs | Mass.gov
Contact: Julie Weiss at Julie.Weiss@mass.gov or (617) 913-5317
Sky High Farm Grants
Sky High Farm Grants was established in 2022 as an annual program of micro-grants. The program is committed to building equity in our extended agricultural circle by supporting a range of projects helmed by farmers and food justice advocates whose work is rooted in their communities and our shared values.
Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, migrant, refugee and other groups excluded from traditional funding opportunities experience profound barriers in access to land, acquiring essential farming tools and equipment, experiential and formal education around sustainable farming practices, and wages from farming that support stable housing and basic human needs.
View Sky High Farm Grant Details
Coming Soon!
Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP)
The Climate Smart Agriculture Program links MDAR’s water, energy and climate grants together into one application. This includes the Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies (ACRE) Program, the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP), and the Agricultural Energy Grant Program (ENER). This program continues the goals of the three individual grants by implementing projects that help the agricultural sector adapt to climate change, mitigate climate change, reducing or preventing impacts to natural resources that may result from agricultural practices, and that improve energy efficiency and facilitate adoption of alternative clean energy technologies.
The CSAP grant is broken into two sections. Section I: Environmentis for environmental projects such as soil health, water use efficiency, orother projects working towards reducing or limiting greenhouse gas emissions.Section II: Energy is Ag-Energy projects to improve energy efficiency or tofacilitate clean energy adoption.
Applicants can apply to either or both sections.
Participants selected for funding under either section are provided with reimbursement grants for 80% of total project costs up to$50,000.
Applications Due: TBD
Website: Climate Smart for Agriculture Program | Mass.gov
Section I: Environment – Laura Maul at Laura.Maul@mass.gov or (857) 507-5972
Section II: Energy – Gerry Palano at Gerald.Palano@mass.govor (617) 571-4969
Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)
The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) is a reimbursement grant program that supports produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to improve their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the risks of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses while increasing market access.
Participants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants for 80% of total project costs up to$50,000.
Applications Due: TBD
Website: Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program | Mass.gov
Contact: Laura Maul at Laura.Maul@mass.gov or (857) 507-5972
Cranberry Bog Renovation Grant Program
The Cranberry Bog Renovation Grant Program is a reimbursement grant program for the implementation of bog renovations that promote more efficient bogs both in design and production while enhancing the business and environmental sustainability of the cranberry operation.
Awards are limited to $25,000 per acre up to a maximum of $125,000.
Applications Due: TBD
Website: Cranberry Bog Renovation Grant Program | Mass.gov
Contact: Laura Maul at Laura.Maul@mass.gov or (857) 507-5972
USDA Grants
Farmers Market Promotion Program
The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct producer-to-consumer (including direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurant and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) market opportunities. FMPP is part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP).
Applications Due : May 14, 2024
Local Food Promotion Program
The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
Applications Due : May 14, 2024
Regional Food Systems Partnership
The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The program focuses on building and strengthening the viability and resilience of
local or regional food economies through collaboration and coordination. RFSP supports public-private partnerships that plan and develop relationships between local and regional producers, processors, intermediaries, and institutional markets or institutional
food service operations through local and regional producers and local and regional food systems.
Applications Due : May 14, 2024
Value Added Producers Grant
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.
You may receive priority if you are:
- Beginning farmer or rancher
- Socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher
- Small or medium-sized farm
- Ranch structured as a family farm
- Farmer or rancher cooperative
- Proposing a mid-tier value chain
Applications Due : April 11, 2024