Overview
The Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) provides business planning, technical assistance, and grants to commercial farms to improve farm viability and to preserve and support the stewardship of agricultural resources.
The program provides one on one business planning assistance and technical assistance in areas of need such as family succession, marketing, or financial tracking to help increase farm viability. Participants selected to participate in the program may be offered grant funds of $100,000 - $200,000 for identified farm improvement projects in return for signing an agricultural covenant on the farm property to keep it in agricultural use for a 10 or 15-year term. Eligible uses of funds include farm capital projects such as building or renovating barns, farmstands, wash pack facilities, farm equipment, or improving resources such as wells or fencing.
Details
There is currently an open application period for this program, with applications due by 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 10, 2025. View RFR, including application on COMMBUYS - see File Attachments section.
Contact Information
Laura Barley - 857-507-5548 - Laura.Barley@mass.gov
Melissa Adams - 413-726-2001 - Melissa.L.Adams@mass.gov
Additional Resources
- Video Presentation of MDAR's Three Viability Grants for Farmers
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Open PDF file, 137 KB, FVEP Frequently Asked Questions (English, PDF 137 KB)
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Open PDF file, 136.73 KB, FVEP Participants 2022-2024 (English, PDF 136.73 KB)
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Open DOCX file, 26.64 KB, Request for Written Approval form for Current Covenant Holders (English, DOCX 26.64 KB)