Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture

10.311 -- Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

The primary goal of BFRDP, under assistance listing number 10.311, is to help beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories enter and/or improve their successes in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands, through support for projects that provide education, mentoring, and technical assistance to give beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability. The term “farmer” is used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest owners and managers. The term "beginning farmer or rancher" means a person that

(A)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; or

(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years; and

(B) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

A. Eligibility RequirementsApplications may only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities. These collaborations may include the following entities: State Cooperative Extension Services; Federal, State, municipal or tribal agencies; community-based organizations (CBOs); nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); junior and four-year colleges or universities or foundations maintained by a college or university; and private for-profit organizations.Inclusions of beginning and/or non-beginning farmers and ranchers as part of the collaborative group is strongly encouraged.Applications submitted by individuals, or by organizations that do not involve other entities in a network or partnership, are not eligible for consideration under any category applicable to the BFRDP and will be excluded from review.

Grantor contact information

Description

NIFA Support Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

Email

If you have any questions related to preparing application content.

grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
FY23-BFRDP-RFA-508.pdf	FY2023 - Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program - RFA	Jan 31, 2023 10:09 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

Archived: August 6, 2023

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$28,000,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$49,000

Award Minimum

$750,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

USDA-NIFA-BFR-009746

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Yes

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Mandatory

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Agriculture

Category Explanation:

History

Version:

Posted date:

January 31, 2023

Archive date:

August 6, 2023