Applications are now open for American Farmland Trust’s Brighter Future Fund microgrants to farmers.
AFT launched the Brighter Future Fund in 2020 in partnership with Tillamook Creamery to assist farmers in successfully launching, growing and sustaining farms in the face of forces impacting the food and agricultural system, including the COVID-19 pandemic, changing markets, severe weather, and climate change.
In 2021, funding will be allocated to help farmers 1) Improve farm viability; 2) access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland; or 3) adopt regenerative agricultural practices.
A major commitment of this program is to uplift, support, and amplify the work of a wide range of farmers. In recognition of the need for greater equity and inclusion for all groups who have been, and still are, marginalized, this year the Brighter Future Fund will focus on providing resources to farmers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+).
Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $5,000 per project. A project may involve one or more individual farmers or farm families. Only one grant can be awarded per farmer/farm family. Additional guidelines can be found here.
Applications will be reviewed and awarded in the order the applications are received based on eligibility. AFT will continue to receive applications and make awards until available funds are expended.
To apply for a grant, please fill out this application form. If you’d like to review the application questions in advance, they can be downloaded here.
AFT is committed to making the Brighter Future Fund accessible to the widest population possible and is pleased to be able to offer limited translation services for applicants. If interested, please email .