• June 8 – June 18: Applications accepted

• June – August: Applications under review

• Aug. 31: Applicants notified

• Fall 2026: Grant funds disbursed to recipients

Submit your application through the American Farmland Trust grant portal during the application window, June 8 - 18. The link will be posted here on June 8. (Applicants are required to use their email address to create a secure user account.)

Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $10,000 per project. A project may involve one or more individual farmers or farm families. Only one grant can be awarded per farmer/farm family.

Funding for this program is limited. As funding remains, awards will be made on an ongoing basis to eligible applicants who fulfill all application requirements and meet selection criteria.

Land tenure (ownership, a lease, license, or other written agreement) for a reasonable time period will be required for projects that involve on-the-ground improvements to farmland. If tenure is less than five years, please be prepared to demonstrate in the application that the tenure is sufficient in relation to the improvements being made or services being provided.

• Eligible project types include professional services, equipment, or infrastructure toward: 

• Pursuing secure land tenure, farmland acquisition, land transfer or succession planning 

• Implementing regenerative farming practices 

• Improving business operations and financial stability

Read our Applicant Information and Guidelines document for more information, examples of eligible projects, frequently asked questions, and tips for a strong application. 

AFT seeks to support farmers and ranchers across America through the Brighter Future Fund.  Expanding on priorities established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Fund focuses its support on beginning, limited-resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers to support greater opportunities for all in agriculture.

Eligible applicants are for-profit farmers or ranchers located in the United States who are intentionally engaged in terrestrial, soil-based agricultural production—such as crop or livestock operations, including agroforestry and silvopasture. The operation must have produced more than $1,000 in agricultural products sold, bartered, or exchanged in the most recent growing year.

Additional information that will be taken into consideration when making funding decisions include:

• Priority for individuals who dedicate a majority of their work time to farming or ranching;

• Diversity in farms as determined by the dollar value of farm products sold, acres in farming, and farm products grown, raised, or produced.

• Projects that 1) Improve farm viability; 2) Access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland; or 3) Adopt regenerative agricultural practices

Farmers who received a grant from American Farmland Trust on or after January 1, 2025, are ineligible. However, those who received funding prior to this date or those who applied but were not awarded funds are encouraged to apply again.

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions via email by Aug. 31, 2026. AFT will aim to disburse grant funds to awardees approximately 90 days after the award agreement is signed; however, payment timing may be subject to change. Grant funds are paid directly to the awardee. American Farmland Trust does not pay vendors on an applicant’s behalf. Awardees must submit required banking and tax documentation (IRS Form W‑9) through the secure online portal.

For general questions or requests for assistance, or if you need materials in Spanish, email [email protected].

Para preguntas generales o solicitudes de asistencia, o si necesita materiales en español, envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected].