Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Funds organizations that deliver training, mentoring, and business planning for farmers in their first ten years. Individual growers access it through funded programs rather than applying directly.
Typical award
Up to $250,000 (standard) or $750,000 (education/enhancement) over 3 years
Deadline
Jun 25, 2026 (annual)
Type of support
Technical assistance · Training & technical assistance
The eligibility and application details below are general guidance for this kind of program, not text copied from the funder. The facts above — who runs it, how much, and when it closes — are hand-checked. Always confirm specifics on the official page.
Am I eligible?
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Non-profits, co-ops, and community organizations may apply
Tribes, tribal producers, and tribal enterprises are eligible
Beginning, veteran, and historically underserved producers are prioritized
Active SAM.gov registration and UEI number required before award
Must be in compliance with USDA/federal program rules (AGI limits, conservation compliance)
No cost to the producer in most cases — advising, not funding
How to apply
1Contact USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the official page and describe your operation
2Schedule an intake call or farm visit
3Agree on a scope of work — what questions you need answered
4Work through the recommendations and follow up as your season changes
What you'll need
Farm or business name, address, and tax ID / EIN
Short description of your operation and acreage
The specific question or bottleneck you want help with
Any existing records, maps, or plans that give context
Timeline & contact
Usually days to a few weeks from first contact to real help
Get help: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture — your local USDA Service Center or state office can walk you through it
Ready to apply?
Applications go through USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.
Regional technical assistance specialists helping Native producers navigate USDA programs, business planning, market access, and the American Indian Foods branding program.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
No-cost technical assistance and program navigation
Training & technical assistanceTribalIndividual producerBeginning / underserved