Overview
The Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) program assists beginning farmers who are between 1 and 5 years in business by providing technical assistance and business planning for farm improvement strategies. Grant funds of up to $10,000 are available on a 1:1 matching cost reimbursement basis to assist farmers whose goal is to raise agricultural products and who aspire to develop their farms into commercially viable operations. Funds are typically used for equipment, infrastructure, or other capital improvements to implement strategies identified during the planning process to help their business grow.
Eligible Applicants
- Massachusetts farm owners/operators that have been in business for at least one (1), but not more than five (5) years;
- Applicant must have secure access (own or lease) to the land being farmed;
- Applicant must have the ability to pay for project costs up-front and provide matching funds.
- Non-profit organizations and farms are ineligible to for program funding but a for-profit commercial farm leasing land from a non-profit owner may apply.
Details
The application period is now open. Applications are due by 4:00pm on May 7, 2019 in the MDAR Amherst office at 101 University Drive, Suite C4, Amherst MA 01002.
Maximum Funding Per Applicant: $10,000 with a 1:1 match