The two real farmer-direct grants: VAPG & SARE

Two federal programs — and really only two — give competitive grant money straight to an individual farmer. Both run on annual cycles, so at any given moment one or both may be between rounds. Learn them now so you’re ready when the window opens.

VAPG — for turning a crop into a product

Value-Added Producer Grants fund the jump from raw commodity to finished product: making cheese from your milk, jam from your berries, or running product-tied agritourism. Historically that’s planning grants up to $75,000 and working-capital grants up to $250,000, with a 1:1 match required. The FY26 round closed in April 2026; the next round is expected to open in winter 2027 (the FY26 cycle opened in mid-February). Because it runs through Grants.gov, you’ll need SAM.gov + a UEI — start that at least a month before any deadline.

SARE — for testing something on your farm

SARE producer grants pay you to run on-farm research or a demonstration — trialing a cover-crop mix, a new rotation, a marketing approach. It’s USDA-funded but run by four regional councils (North Central, Northeast, Southern, Western), each with its own call and maximum (roughly $20,000–$35,000). The 2026 cycle’s deadlines fell in late 2025; the 2027 calls are expected in fall 2026 on the same rhythm.

VAPG award maximums are the program's historical ceilings; exact FY27 figures publish with the next notice. SARE 2027 call dates weren't posted as of our July 2026 check — confirm on your regional SARE council's site. We'll be watching both.

Want the day-one alert when these reopen? The government-funding app tracks new farm NOFOs — or grab the checklist and get your SAM.gov registration done now.