Applying
Can applicants apply any other way than through the online form, such as a Word document, or mail in an application?
No. Applications must be submitted through the online application. Hard copies and emailed applications will not be accepted. All required documentation must be uploaded as part of the application process. Applicants should review the RFR and determine whether their project aligns with the program goals and requirements.
Do I have to provide multiple quotes for the project to be considered?
No. Only one quote per budgeted item is required. Applications without required quotes will be considered incomplete and ineligible.
Can I contact MDAR to ask if my specific project is a good fit for the grant before applying?
No. To maintain the integrity of the competitive review process, MDAR cannot provide guidance or make determinations about the eligibility or competitiveness of specific project proposals outside of the formal application review process.
Is it possible to save my application and continue working on it at a later time?
Yes, applicants can choose to ‘save & continue’ and will be asked for an email address. A link to continue the application will be sent to the email provided.
Do I have to use the Budget Form available on the website?
A Budget Form template is available under ‘Downloads’ . The provided budget template is strongly recommended because it includes all required cost and match calculations. Budgets submitted in other formats must contain the same level of detail and may slow the review process.
What is the word count limits for the online application questions?
There is no character limit for paragraph fields.
Do I have to complete all the answers through the on-line application? For example, if I wanted to email the timeline as a separate document, is that allowed?
Answers should be completed through the online application. Please do not send separate documents for questions that can be completed through the online application.
Can I apply for more than one farm or submit multiple applications?
The program limits awards to one application and one award per agricultural operation per fiscal year, as identified by a unique tax identification number.
If an applicant operates multiple, distinct agricultural operations, each with its own tax identification number and meeting all eligibility requirements, each operation may submit an application. Multiple applications for the same operation under different names or entities are not allowed.
Can I apply for more than one investment or project in the same application?
Yes. A single application may include more than one eligible investment, provided the total funding request does not exceed $50,000. Multiple applications will not be accepted.
If I apply for one project under the Farm Readiness Grant Program and a different project under another MDAR grant program (such as the Food Security Infrastructure Grant), will it affect my eligibility or prioritization under that other program?
No. Applicants may apply to multiple MDAR grant programs in the same fiscal year for different projects. Applying to the Farm Readiness Grant Program will not negatively affect your eligibility or prioritization under another MDAR program, such as the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG), provided the projects are distinct and meet the eligibility requirements of each program.
General Eligibility
If I have applied to and have been funded under MDAR grants in the past, am I eligible to apply ? What if I have a current contract that has not been completed yet?
Yes, you are eligible to apply. This includes if you have a current contract.
Can beginning farmers apply?
This program requires the applicant to have operated the farm in continuous agricultural production on the same property for at least three years.
Other MDAR programs (such as MEGA and CSAP) will include funding for farms in operation less than three years.
What if I recently took over an existing farm, am I eligible if I was farming on a different property for more than three years?
Eligibility is based on the applicant’s operation, not just the history of the property. The applicant must be able to certify that they have operated the farm in production for at least three years.
Can organizations/non-profits eligible to apply?
Yes, non-profits are eligible to apply as long as the meet the defined eligibility requirements listed.
Are projects on leased land eligible?
Yes, but the organization must be the farm operator and meet all program requirements. Organizations that do not run an agricultural operation engaged in production agriculture are not eligible.
Can a farm that donates its products (rather than selling them) be considered an eligible agricultural operation?
Operations must be actively engaged in commercial agricultural production. In some cases, the value of agricultural products may be demonstrated through documented production value (for example, where product is donated and the value is tracked). Applicants must meet all additional eligibility requirements to be considered.
Can a non-profit apply for infrastructure that will support multiple independent farm businesses located on the same property?
No. This program is intended to fund capital improvements for a single agricultural operation per application. The applicant must be the farm business that is actively engaged in production and that will purchase, own, and use the funded equipment or infrastructure.
Are forestry operations eligible to apply?
Eligibility is determined through the full application review. This program supports installation-ready capital improvements for active agricultural production that deliver measurable improvements in program areas such as energy efficiency, soil health, environmental performance, food safety, or compost management. Forestry projects would need to clearly align with these goals and all other program requirements to be considered.
Budget, Match, Financing
How do I calculate the required 20% match?
The grant covers up to 80% of total project costs. The applicant must provide at least 20% cash match. For example, if the total project costs are $45,000 the match would be $9,000 and the eligible requested amount would be $36,000.
Can the required match be in-kind?
The match must be a cash-match and can not be in-kind.
Can federal funding (for example NRCS) be used as the match?
No. The match must be cash contributed by the applicant and may not come from other state or federal grants or reimbursement programs.
Can I use a loan or a line of credit to pay for my project?
Yes. Financing from a bank or commercial lender may be used to pay project costs as long as the equipment is purchased in full and owned by the applicant prior to June 30th, 2026.
Can I finance equipment through the vendor or use a lease-to-own agreement?
No. Equipment obtained through leases, vendor financing, or other payment arrangements where the applicant does not yet hold title at the time of reimbursement is not eligible.
Can the costs of shipping, and installation be included in the request?
Yes, the costs of shipping and installation can be included in the total project costs.
Funding Process
How are applications reviewed and evaluated?
Applications are reviewed through a competitive evaluation process conducted by MDAR staff. Each eligible and complete application is evaluated based on the review criteria outlined in the Request for Responses (RFR), Section 4D – Review Process / Evaluation Timeline and Section 4E – Evaluation Criteria. Reviewers assess applications based on factors such as alignment with program goals, project feasibility and readiness, budget accuracy, and the applicant’s capacity to complete the project within the required timeline.
If an applicant contributes more than the minimum 20% cash match, will their project be ranked higher during the review process?
No. Contributing a cash match greater than the required 20% minimum does not result in a higher score or increased prioritization during the review process. Applications are evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the RFR.
When do you estimate awards will be released?
We anticipating releasing all awards the first week of May, 2026. Applicants should be prepared to move forward immediately after contract execution.
Will the award amounts be taxable?
Applicants may receive a 1099-G for funding received under the grant. MDAR cannot give any tax advice and applicants should reach out to a tax professional for questions regarding the implications of receiving this funding.
How will MDAR distribute the funding?
This is a reimbursement grant program. Applicants who are selected for funding will first enter into a contract with MDAR. No project costs can be incurred until the contract is fully executed.
After the contract is signed, the applicant may purchase and install the approved the approved project. Once the project is finished, the applicant must submit a reimbursement request with required documentation (such as paid invoices, proof of payment, and any completion verification). Funding will be issued after the Department reviews and approves the reimbursement request.
Will there be any extensions if I am unable to complete the project by June 30th, 2026?
No. Projects must be completed and invoiced by June 30, 2026, so only ready projects that can meet this timeline should apply.
Eligible Projects
How does MDAR determine whether any eligible project is a good fit for this program?
Projects are evaluated based on how well they advance the goals of the grant. Funding is intended for installation-ready capital improvements that result in a clear and measurable operational, environmental, food safety, soil health, energy, or composting benefit. Projects that are for routine replacement, general-purpose use, or ongoing maintenance and do not result in a quantifiable improvement are typically not competitive.
Are tractors, skid steers, or other vehicles eligible?
Vehicles are not eligible.
General-purpose equipment that primarily maintains existing operations and does not result in a specific operational improvement tied to the goals of the program may not be competitive.
Are new wells eligible?
Projects must be installation-ready and capable of being fully completed and invoiced by June 30th, 2026.
Activities such as drilling, trenching, significant site work, or projects that require local, state, or federal permitting often involve longer timelines and may not be feasible within the accelerated contract period. Applicants should carefully evaluate whether the full project can be completed by the deadline and results in clear improvements aligned with the goals of the program.
Is the purchase and installation of deer fencing eligible?
Projects must be installation-ready and capable of being fully completed and invoiced by June 30th, 2026.
Projects that require permitting, extensive site preparation, or long material lead times may not be feasible within the accelerated timeline of this program. Applicants should ensure the proposed project can be purchased, installed, and invoiced by the deadline and results in clear improvements aligned with the goals of the program.
Is used equipment eligible?
No. Equipment purchased through this program must be new.
Is solar eligible?
No, solar projects are not eligible under the Farm Readiness Grant Program.
Solar installations typically require utility interconnection, electrical and building permits, and longer procurement and construction timelines that cannot be completed by the June 30 deadline.
Solar projects may be eligible under the Agricultural Energy section of the Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP), which is designed for projects that require those approvals and longer implementation timelines.
Is electrical service to an existing structure eligible?
Projects must be installation-ready and capable of being fully completed and invoiced by June 30th, 2026.
Projects that require significant trenching, extensive site work, or permitting may not be feasible within the accelerated timeline of this program. Applicants should ensure the proposed project can be completed and invoiced by the deadline and results in clear improvements aligned with the goals of the program.
Are generators eligible?
Generators may be eligible if they serve a direct agricultural production function, are a permanent capital asset, are installation-ready, and can be fully completed within the June 30th, 2026 deadline.
Can leased equipment be funded? Would a long term lease agreement be able to be funded?
No. Equipment must be purchased in full and owned by the applicant in order to be eligible for reimbursement. Long-term lease agreements or financed equipment do not meet the program requirement that funded projects result in a permanent capital asset owned by the agricultural operation.
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| Date published: | February 25, 2026 |
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| Last updated: | March 5, 2026 |