10 Farm Grants For Females – 2025

Introduction – Farm Grants For Females

[Update 01/8/2025: we updated deadlines and details for all of the grant sources. As before, mixed in are broader programs for “disadvantaged groups” which include gender.]

Farm grants are for farmers who need help managing their crops and livestock, buying new equipment, or building other infrastructure. Farm grants are also used for conservation efforts such as soil erosion control or waterway management.

In this article we will discuss farm grants for females 2025. Contrary to the title of the article, we now have 10 in our list!

Grants may provide funding to cover the cost of seed, fertilizer, labor, farm-related education programs and seminars, capital investments in agricultural machinery or buildings, and even marketing assistance.

These grants can help farmers establish new farms, expand existing ones, or sustain current operations. 

The Female Representation- And Financial Gap in Agriculture

Statistics have proven that female farmers are under-represented in the agricultural field.

According to American Farmland Trust, “51% of farms had at least one woman operator in 2019, but women were the ‘principal operator’ on only 14% of operations.”

An analysis using 2012 Census of Agriculture data suggests that farms operated by women earn 40% less farm income than farms operated by men after controlling for farm and operator characteristics.

However, there is a silver lining: Community Supported Agriculture models have been shown to reduce the gender income gap by one-third. This highlights the importance of innovative farming models and practices in leveling the playing field.

7 Farm Grants For Females

These disparities highlights the need for targeted support to empower women in agriculture. One effective way to bridge this gap is through farm grants specifically designed for women.

The USDA has recognized this discrepancy and offers many farm grants for women to help level the playing field.

Here are 7 grants available to female farmers in 2025.

1. Socially Disadvantaged Applicant (SDA) Loan Funding

Deadlines: Rolling basis throughout year

Info here: Minorities and Women Farmers And Ranchers information webpage (including application form)

The USDA supports socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through a targeted funding allocation called Socially Disadvantaged Applicant (SDA) funding.

This is not a separate program but a mechanism that reserves a portion of loan resources for women, minorities, and other historically underserved groups.

SDA funding applies to existing USDA loan types, such as Farm Ownership (FO) Loans for purchasing farmland or improving infrastructure and Operating Loans (OL) for covering daily farm expenses like equipment and seeds.

Applicants voluntarily provide demographic information, such as race, ethnicity, and gender, to qualify for this funding. The loans feature favorable terms, including fixed interest rates (often exceeding 4%) and long repayment periods, ensuring equitable access to financial resources.

Applications for these loans can be made through local FSA offices or participating commercial lenders.

2. USDA Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants

Deadlines: Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 is currently closed. In previous cycles, application period opened in the spring, with deadlines around May-June. The 2023 deadline for applications was May 16.

Info here: Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants

The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program is separate from the USDA loan funding and provides financial assistance to cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers.

Its primary goal is to deliver technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas. This assistance includes services such as feasibility studies, business planning, leadership training, and strategic planning to help groups develop sustainable agricultural operations.

Unlike loans, these grants do not require repayment and are capped at $175,000 per recipient. Only cooperatives or development centers with a majority board membership from socially disadvantaged groups are eligible to apply.

A good example is in Pennsylvania, in 2021 the Keystone Development Center in Lancaster, Pa received $173,288 to support women who grow flowers.

While cooperatives can be based anywhere, the groups they serve must be in rural areas. For more information, visit Grants.gov.

3. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP): 

Deadline: Closed on December 15, 2024. The next funding opportunity is expected to be announced later in 2025.

Info here: Beginning Farmer And Rancher Development Program webpage (grant application available)

This one isn’t restricted to women. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is an initiative created by the United States Department of Agriculture that offers grants for beginning farmers and ranchers to obtain agricultural training and technical assistance.

This program was designed to provide grants to men and women interested in starting agricultural operations, providing additional help for female-led farm enterprises.

The BFRDP Farm Enterprise Grant provides training, mentoring, business planning, financial analysis, market research analysis, enterprise development, and access to capital.

In addition to the Farm Enterprise Grant, a Farm Microenterprise Grant may also be available depending on the state where the farm is located.

Training such as budgeting and marketing are offered alongside various micro-enterprise resources that can act as a safety net for beginner farmers.

This type of grant is perfect for those just starting in agriculture, offering accessible education and assistance to ensure success in the industry.

This program supports a range of professional development activities for new farmers and ranchers, including U.S. veterans entering agricultural careers

To prepare for the upcoming cycle, monitor the USDA Rural Development website and Grants.gov for announcements about the next funding round.

4. American Agri-Women (AAW)

Deadline: Deadlines vary by initiative, with scholarships and awards typically announced annually. Check the American Agri-Women website for specific details.

Info here: American Agri-Women about page

American Agri-Women (AAW) is a nationwide organization that strives to support and empower female farmers and agricultural professionals.

These scholarships include the Helen Whitmore Memorial Convention Scholarship, Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships, and others, focusing on supporting women in agriculture.

AAW’s mission is to increase public awareness of the issues facing today’s farmers while providing sustainable solutions founded in 1978.

To achieve this goal, they offer educational materials to farmers, provide scholarships specifically for women in agriculture, organize networking events across the nation and advocate for a legislature that protects the interests of female farmers.

In 2020 alone, AAW has awarded Farm Grants to 25 female-led agricultural projects totaling $95,000 — from projects focusing on cover crops to solar energy installations — showing their commitment to facilitating independent leadership for women on farms across the United States.

5. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Microloan Program

Deadline: rolling application basis, with fiscal year beginning in October.

Info here: FSA Microloan Program

The FSA Microloan Program is designed to provide small, low-interest loans to farmers and ranchers, particularly those with small-scale, niche, or specialty operations. This program is ideal for beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged groups, and established farmers seeking to diversify their operations or cover operating expenses.

How to Apply: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted to your local FSA office. Applicants must provide financial records, a business plan, and documentation of farm operations. Contact your nearest office to learn more or visit Farmers.gov.

If the traditional experience requirement cannot be met, alternative methods can be used to determine eligibility, such as experience in a leadership role, significant small business experience, or postsecondary education in agriculture.

Loan Uses: Microloans can be used for various purposes, including purchasing equipment, seeds, livestock, or other supplies, and improving farm infrastructure. There are two types:

Operating Microloans: For smaller purchases and day-to-day operating costs.

Farm Ownership Microloans: For purchasing farmland or making capital improvements.

Loan Amount and Terms: Borrowers can request up to $50,000 per microloan. Operating loans have repayment terms of 1 to 7 years, while ownership loans may have terms up to 25 years. Interest rates are fixed and competitive.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet basic USDA eligibility requirements, such as operating a family-sized farm and demonstrating the ability to repay the loan. No prior credit history is required, making the program accessible for first-time borrowers.

6. WAMS Grants for Women

Deadline: Most recent cycle closed on February 22, 2024. Future deadlines are expected to follow a similar schedule; monitor Grants.gov and NIFA’s website.

Info here: Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Grant Program (WAMS)

The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields (WAMS) Program provides grants to support the development of programs that encourage women and minorities to pursue careers in STEM fields related to agriculture.

Administered by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the program focuses on increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in agricultural sciences.

How to Apply: Applicants must submit proposals through Grants.gov, including detailed project descriptions, budgets, and supporting documents. Preparation is key, as proposals must address specific criteria outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA).

Purpose: WAMS grants fund projects that develop innovative strategies to attract and retain women and minorities in agriculture-related STEM fields. Eligible activities include education programs, outreach, mentoring, and workforce development.

Grant Amount: Funding varies by project, with awards typically ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 per grant.

Eligibility: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and other entities that promote STEM education for women and minorities can apply.

7. Amber Grant Foundation

Deadline: Applications are due by the end of each month for the monthly grant cycle. Applications submitted after the deadline are considered for the next month’s cycle.

Info here: Amber grants for women

This program is not specifically targeted at women in agriculture, but it does support women-owned businesses.

The Amber Grant Foundation is a program that began in 1998. It was set up in honor of Amber Wigdahl, a young woman who died at the age of 19 before she could realize her business dreams.

The foundation is dedicated to continuing Amber’s legacy by helping other women achieve their business goals.

Grant Amounts: Annual Grant: At the end of the year, one of the monthly winners is selected for an additional $25,000 grant; monthly Grants: $10,000 awarded to one woman-owned business each month.

Eligibility: Any female entrepreneur who is at least 18 years old and a U.S. or Canadian citizen is eligible to apply. The business must be at least 51% women-owned. All types of businesses, from brand new startups to established companies, can apply.

8. Tory Burch Foundation

Deadline: Capital Program: Applications for loans are accepted on a rolling basis through the participating CDFIs; Fellows Program: Applications typically open in the fall and close in early spring. The most recent deadline was November 3, 2024, for the 2025 cohort. Future cycles are expected to follow a similar timeline.

Info here: Tory Burch Foundation

This foundation provides resources for women entrepreneurs, but it’s not specific to agriculture. The Tory Burch Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2009 by fashion designer and entrepreneur Tory Burch.

The foundation aims to advance women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship by providing resources and programs that invest in the success and sustainability of women-owned small businesses. There are two programs of interest.

Capital Program: The foundation has a capital program that connects women entrepreneurs with affordable loans to help them grow their businesses. They partner with community lenders across the U.S. to provide these loans.

Fellows Program: The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program is a year-long fellowship for women entrepreneurs. Fellows receive a $5,000 grant for business education, participate in a one-week workshop at Tory Burch headquarters, get a one-year membership to a co-working space, and have the opportunity to participate in a pitch competition for a larger grant.

Eligibility: The foundation’s programs are open to women entrepreneurs who own a majority stake in their business, manage the business on a day-to-day basis, and plan to use the program’s benefits to grow their business.

9. Value-Added Producer Grants

Deadline: The application deadline for the most recent cycle was May 16, 2024. Deadlines for the next funding cycle are expected to be announced in early 2025.

Info here: Value-Added Producer Grants (deadline was May 2023)

Women-owned farm businesses have been given an incredible opportunity to further their successful enterprises through value-added agricultural product market development grants.

These grants are specifically tailored to give female farmers the financial and technical assistance they need to capitalize on unique aspects of their business, such as development and marketing.

They can also use this assistance to increase access to retail markets, create interactive virtual shows, and expand distribution networks.

The main goal of these grants is to promote the sale of new value-added products, thereby increasing profits and income for farm businesses involved in production agriculture.

Farm businesses that receive these funding opportunities will certainly benefit by advancing their agricultural operations, putting money directly back into their local communities, and creating job opportunities within the agricultural industry.

Although anyone can apply for this, there’s preference for “socially disadvantaged” applicants.

10. Kentucky Women in Agriculture Grants

Deadline: Varies annually, application periods typically in spring. The next deadline is expected in May 2025, based on prior cycles.

Info here: Kentucky Women in Agriculture grants

The Kentucky Women in Agriculture (KWIA) Grants support women involved in farming and agriculture in Kentucky by providing funding for educational programs, community initiatives, and business development. These grants aim to empower women in agriculture and promote sustainable practices across the state.

Grant Amounts:
Funding varies based on the project, with typical grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, depending on the scope and impact of the proposal.

Eligibility:
Women in Kentucky engaged in agriculture-related businesses, projects, or educational initiatives are eligible to apply. Proposals must demonstrate how the funding will benefit the agricultural community and promote sustainability or innovation.

Deadline:
Grant deadlines vary annually, with application periods typically announced in the spring. The next deadline is expected in May 2025, based on prior cycles.

• How to Apply:
  Applications are submitted through the KWIA website or directly to the organization. Proposals should include a description of the project, a detailed budget, and anticipated outcomes.
• Use of Funds:
  Grant funds can be used for training programs, purchasing equipment, implementing sustainable practices, or hosting community events related to agriculture.

The KWIA grants are an excellent opportunity for women in Kentucky to enhance their agricultural endeavors and make a meaningful impact in their communities. For more information, visit the Kentucky Women in Agriculture website.

Conclusions

With these resources available, female farmers can get the assistance they need to start or expand their operations. Through these programs, women farmers can build successful farms and take advantage of the same opportunities as other farm operators. With USDA’s commitment to providing access to all Americans, we look forward to seeing more female farmers succeed in 2024.