Reaching Farms Across Metro Atlanta With Flexible Funding

Thriving and supported farms are the center of a robust local food system that can feed us all. The skill, dedication and passion of local farmers are vital to nourishing metro Atlanta’s communities. Farmers fill the role of leader, business owner, educator, community builder, environmental steward and more. Still small-scale, sustainable farms can struggle to access funding and capital to address their needs. Since 2015, Food Well Alliance has worked to meet that need by reaching over 50 farms across our five-county service area through direct funding, with a total of $2.6 million granted directly to small farms.

In 2024, Food Well plans to provide $274,000 in grants through two categories of support: a $8,000 Farm Support Grant awarded to 28 farms and a $25,000 Farm Forward Grant awarded to 2 farms. By offering two categories of support, Food Well can reach more farms with funding, while also supporting a couple of larger improvement projects so farmers can grow their businesses and provide healthy local food for others.

Applications are now closed! Stay tuned for the next Farm Grants cycle which will open in winter of 2024.

2024 Farm Grant Recipients

In 2024, the Farm Support Grant and Farm Forward Grant supported 30 metro Atlanta farmers totaling $274,000 in direct funds. The grant gives farmers the opportunity to address their top needs or obstacles they face in their farm operations. Check out this year’s recipients below!

Farm Forward Grant

1. Grow Where You Are

2. Firdous Community Garden of Mohammed Schools of Atlanta

Farm Support Grant

Who can apply for our Farm Grants?

The 2024 Farm Support Grant and Farm Forward Grant are farm-focused opportunities available to:

• Registered farm operations (farm businesses/enterprises and nonprofit farms located in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton or Gwinnett counties).

• Farms that consistently make their food and farm products available for community consumption such as selling at local farmers markets, providing a CSA-style program, offering directly to local consumers (farmstand, online sales or other direct means) and/or through other consistent, publicly available sales channels (local, retail, restaurants, regular donation partnership, etc.)

• Farm applicants must provide documentation of business license, registration of organization or tax-exempt status documentation to be considered. There is space within the application to upload documentation.

Farms must spend their Farm Support Grant by Fall 2024, and submit a report documenting its use and benefits to their farm. Farm Grants can be combined with additional funding from other sources.

Farm Grants FAQs

How can a farm use the Farm Support Grant or Farm Forward Grant?  

Farmers can use the funds under either category (Farm Support Grant or Farm Forward Grant) in many ways including but not limited to:

• Accomplishing farm infrastructure projects–season extension infrastructure (like high tunnels, caterpillar tunnels, row cover supplies), farm irrigation projects, cold storage, wash/pack station improvements, etc.

• Improving or expanding production space or capacity

• Adding farm equipment, tools, materials, supplies and inputs

• Supporting farm personnel costs

• Accessing training opportunities, professional development or professional services–like marketing, online sales channel setup, consulting, etc.

Are there any special requirements or considerations to apply for the $25,000 Farm Forward Grant?

The $25,000 Farm Forward Grant application can include multiple components to help a farmer address their current needs and move their farm operation forward, but the application should center a specific project of focus in the grant request. With a larger grant amount and project, a farm applicant should think through and describe their plan for project implementation if approved for this category of support.

How do I apply?

Applications for the 2024 Farm Support Grants are accepted through our online grant system. A site visit might be requested to discuss an applicant’s farm operation and plans for using the grant funds. Registration in the online grant system is required to start an application. Get started in the online system here.

Can an applicant combine other funding (farm’s own investment, other fundraising, etc.) to this opportunity to help complete a project or plan?

Yes. There is a brief section in the application for the farm applicant to describe those plans and any additional funding sources that you might use to accomplish a project or task. 

What are you looking for in the application? 

A strong application, for either category of grant support, will offer a clear, realistic plan for using grant funds and make a direct link to how the grant can contribute towards addressing a farm’s current needs or obstacles. Clearly describe the farm’s role in metro Atlanta’s local food system, the vision for the farm, the current challenges and how those challenges hinder the farm’s ability to achieve its objectives or vision. Think about how a grant project and its proposed activities can start making the desired changes in your farm’s operation.

If I receive the grant, can I still receive additional resources from Food Well?

Yes, farms can combine this funding support with all of the farm resources that Food Well offers on an ongoing basis throughout the year (compost delivery, labor support, mechanical support, etc.).

If I receive the grant, are there any sort of reporting requirements?

Recipients of the 2024 Farm Grants will need to submit a brief report through the online system by November 2024 detailing the use of the funds and reflections on how the grant supported their farm. Detailed reporting instructions will be provided to recipients. 

What is the timeline for this grant opportunity?

Food Well will accept applications until January 14, 2024 at 11:59pm. In the event a site visit is requested, those visits will take place the last week of January or during the first 2 weeks of February 2024. Application decisions will be announced to applicants the week of February 19th, 2024.

2024 Farm Grant recipients will need to use the funds by October 31, 2024 and a project report completed in November 2024.