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?
Farm or business must operate in OH
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Non-profits, co-ops, and community organizations may apply
Beginning, veteran, and historically underserved producers are prioritized
Applicant is usually required to be registered to do business in the state
Matching funds or in-kind contribution may be requested
How to apply
1Read the current program page or notice of funding to confirm this cycle's rules
2Contact Ohio Department of Agriculture before writing — most funders will tell you if you are a fit
3Draft the narrative, budget, and any required letters of support
4Submit whenever you are ready — rolling review, earlier is usually better
5Sign the award agreement and track spending for reporting
What you'll need
Farm or business name, address, and tax ID / EIN
Project description and itemized budget
Maps, photos, or quotes for anything you plan to build or buy
Proof of land ownership or a lease covering the project period
Organizational documents (501(c)(3) letter, board list) if applying as a non-profit
Timeline & contact
Rolling review — expect roughly 1–3 months from submission to decision
Get help: Ohio Department of Agriculture — also try Cooperative Extension in your county
Ready to apply?
Applications go through Ohio Department of 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.
State-run windows — check your state ag department
State-administered infrastructure money for the middle of the supply chain: wash-pack lines, cold storage, small processing, aggregation, and food-safety upgrades for produce and value-added products.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Equipment-only awards from $10,000; infrastructure awards to $3 million
Guarantees commercial loans for rural food businesses — processing facilities, packing houses, cold chain, distribution — making bank financing realistic for capital-heavy projects.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply