CFAC is now accepting Field Tested mini-grant applications for beginning specialty crop producers. If your Montana-based operation could benefit from up to $5,000 in funding to increase your on-farm efficiencies and production, please consider applying.
CFAC’s Mini-Grant program aims to grow and diversify the pool of farmers participating in Montana’s Specialty Crop industry. We help remove hurdles for new farmers by allowing them to start and expand farming ventures. Mini-Grant funding must be used to increase the competitiveness of Montana Specialty Crops, which are defined as fruits, vegetables, culinary or medicinal herbs or spices and nursery, horticulture, or horticulture crops. You can read through our previous grant recipients’ Field Tested Reports to learn more about projects we’ve funded in the past.
Timeline & Requirements
Applications are due March 22, 2019. Awardees will be announced by April 5, 2019. Applicants that are awarded a mini-grant will need to agree on a method of data collection on the efficiencies they plan to develop and participate in at least one site visit of their farm.
Grant Process
1. Submit your initial Application by Friday, March 22, 2019. Projects must solely increase the competitiveness of Montana Specialty crops. We encourage smaller grant amounts.
2. If the project fits the parameters of the mini-grant program, CFAC will contact you to schedule a meeting (phone or in-person). We’ll provide personalized technical assistance and help complete your final application. This meeting is a required part of the application process.
3. We will announce grant awardees by Friday, April 5, 2019.
4. Important notes: We can reimburse grant purchases only after a contract is signed and reporting methods are agreed on between CFAC and awardee. Each grant recipient must contribute information for a Field Tested report about their project and how it enhances specialty crop production.