Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Program

Contact: Kate Hayes at mega.coordinator@gmail.com or 413-559-0949

The Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Program (MEGA) seeks to assist new and beginning farm businesses with start up or expansion costs. The Program offers technical and business planning assistance to support the special needs of beginning farmers. It also makes available financial assistance for equipment, infrastructure or other capital improvements needed to implement strategies recommended through the planning process.

It is the objective of the MEGA Program to assist farmers whose goal is to raise agricultural products and who aspire to develop their farms into commercially viable operations. Priority will be given to new and beginning farm enterprises that have operated commercially as a new or beginning farm for 1 to no more than 5 years, have knowledge or direct experience in agriculture, and have a potential to develop or expand productivity or commercial significance with the infusion of additional technical support and capital.

Funding provided from this Program will be made available on a one to one matching grant basis. The maximum award shall be $10,000. Consultants and planners provided by the Department are an additional program benefit and the value of their services is in addition to the grant award.

MEGA is a new program the Department of Agricultural Resources established in Fiscal Year 2011. Ten farms were selected to participate in this initial pilot year.

Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Applications
The application period for the MEGA program for FY2012 has closed. The application period typically opens in the Spring.

Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.