Current Opportunities for Farmers

FREE THERAPY VOUCHER PROGRAM

Farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and their families, continue to meet the onslaught of heavy demands that never seem to stop. Many of us have experienced a crisis in the last year, or we are currently in a crisis.

The voucher program offers 6 free online sessions with a trained psychologist, to help you get where you want to be. Back on the farm, back with your family, back in the saddle.
 

>> LEARN MORE

FOR FARMERS MOVEMENT GRANTS

The For Farmers Movement awards grants to small and mid-sized American farmers to support needs defined by the farmers themselves.

How big are the grants?
Typically farmer grants are $500 to $1,000.​

What can a grant be used for?
Anything that strengthens a small farm—repairs, infrastructure, equipment, tools, projects, recovery, innovation.

How do you decide who gets a grant?
We review applications and prioritize the greatest need + impact. We have a dedicated team of reviewers -- all with unique perspectives -- from across the country who are farmers and non-farmers alike.

​Deadline to apply: October 31

>> LEARN MORE AND APPLY

PATRICK LEAHY FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the availability of local foods in Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operations and connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for CNP meals.  Grants can be used to launch new farm to CNP programs or expand existing efforts. The objective of the fiscal year 2026 Farm to School Grant is to improve access to local foods in eligible CNP sites through comprehensive farm to CNP programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts. These grants are expected to improve child health and nutrition and reinvigorate American agriculture by better connecting American farmers and producers with USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs.

Funding

This competitive grant will fund innovative farm to school projects ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for a total of up to $18 million. A 25% cash or in-kind match is required. 

Eligibility

The following are eligible entities:

• State agencies
• Indian Tribal organizations
• Child Nutrition Program operators*
• Local agencies*
• Agricultural producers*
• Groups of agricultural producers*
• Non-profit organizations*
  • All non-profit organizations must include their 501(c)(3) determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

Note: Under this request for application (RFA), all entities marked with an asterisk (*) must be part of a partnership to be eligible to apply. For the purposes of the FY 2026 Farm to School Grant Program, a partnership is a group of three or more entities, including a coordinating entity, that will participate in the Farm to School Grant projects. At least one of the partners must be a CNP operator/administrator.

>> Applications due: December 5, 2025

>> Read the full request for applications

>> LEARN MORE AND APPLY
(click "View Grant Opportunity" button on the lefthand side of the page)

HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE

We are a partnership of nine organizations, including community development financial institutions (CDFIs), business assistance organizations, and place-based agencies, funded by the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Partnership Program grant. Our vision is for all communities in the Pacific Northwest to have access to healthy food, which our Partnership will support by providing low interest loans, planning grants, and technical assistance to food businesses and retailers in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. 

>> LEARN MORE ABOUT GRANTS, LOANS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 

WA ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLE FARM GRANT - OPENING SOON!

Tilth is happy to announce that they have secured funding for the 2026 WA Organic and Sustainable Farm Grant cycle!! They won’t be releasing application forms until late December/Early January, but now is a great time to start thinking about what special farm projects you might want to get help for this coming year.
 
This grant is for applicants who are committed to implementing sustainable, regenerative, and climate-friendly practices on their farms. Tilth will be updating the grant criteria soon, but in the meantime, they recommend taking a look at last year’s information on their website. Feel free to email Rae <raerussell@tilthalliance.org> with any questions.

>> View last year's grant


 

VALUE ADDED PRODUCER GRANT WORKSHOP

This important USDA program has benefited many producers throughout Washington with working capital grant amounts ranging from less than $50,000 up to $250,000. The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The presenters will provide an overview presentation of the entire program, how it works, how to prepare an application, and answer your questions about the VAPG application process.

When: Oct 30, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Virtual

>> REGISTER 




 

2025 IN-PERSON FARM WALKS 

WSU Food Systems Program and Tilth Alliance have been collaboratively organizing Farm Walks since 2004. These farmer-to-farmer educational opportunities are hosted by organic, sustainable, and innovative farm and food businesses throughout Washington State. We aim to highlight our farmer hosts and their unique expertise and experiences. We reach new, beginning, and existing farmers seeking education, advice, and mentorship from these experienced farmers, as well as agricultural and food systems professionals. 

• November 15, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. - Tilth Conference Walk TBD (Spokane)

>> LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

FARMLAND LEASING AND SUCCESSION BASICS

Join the Pacific Northwest team at American Farmland Trust for an informative and practical session on the fundamentals of farmland leasing and succession planning. Whether you're a new or beginning farmer, or exploring leasing as part of your long-term land transfer strategy, this event will equip you with the tools and knowledge to get started. 

• How farmland leasing works and why it matters
• Key concepts in succession planning
• How leasing can be a creative and effective tool for land access and transition

When: Nov 18, 4 p.m. 
Where: Virtual

>> LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 

UNLOCKING CAPITAL FOR BEGINNING FARMERS 

In FFI’s Unlocking Capital for Beginning Farmers Program, farmers who have been in business 10 years or less, anywhere in the United States, can work with experts to optimize their business model and financial strategy to access needed capital to start up or grow their farm business. This program is FREE due to a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Some of the topics that may be included in training or 1-on-1 coaching sessions are

• Creating an investible business model
• Financial foundations, including basic accounting principles and creating financial documents and reports
• Determining appropriate capital for growth, scaling, transition, or succession
• Different types of capital and when to use them
• Creating a financial package and pitch deck for potential lenders and investors to help get investor-ready

>> LEARN MORE AND APPLY

 

LEARN AS YOU GO FEDERAL GRANT WRITING COURSE 

This FREE eight-part course equips you with tested strategies to craft a competitive grant application. We’ll demystify federal grant jargon, ensure you’re prepped for success, and guide you through the SAM.gov registration. From crafting workable budgets and work plans to a stress-free submission, we’ll walk you through every step. Familiarize yourself and your team with the art of grant writing and secure the USDA funding you need to grow your business.

>> LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 

 

 

Please note these are some of the larger scale events occurring around the state. Many small regional events occur throughout the year - please feel free to contact us for more information about your region! 

FOCUS ON FARMING & FORESTRY CONFERENCE 

Focus on Farming is the only one-day gathering for all types of farming in one location; whether organic or conventional, livestock or row crops, large or small. Providing quality education to sustain current farmers and attract new farmers to our region is a critical component in securing the next generation's local food supply.

When: Nov 5
Where: Monroe

>> LEARN MORE AND REGISTER




 

 

TILTH CONFERENCE + SPOKANE FARM & FOOD SYMPOSIUM

This year’s Tilth Conference will be presented in collaboration with the Spokane Conservation District’s (SCD) Farm & Food Symposium to represent farms of all sizes across Washington! We’re bringing together growers, organizations, food system activists, researchers, and educators to learn, network, and celebrate together in Spokane Valley, WA, on November 12-15.

• SCD’s Biofarming Program will kick things off November 12-13 with workshops and panel discussions focused on the vital link between soil and human health, advocation for transparency and integrity in the food system – the perfect partner to Tilth Alliance’s own mission.

• Tilth Conference programming will include four tracks of educational sessions and engaging keynote speakers, November 13-14.

• Conference goers will have many opportunities to network and socialize both Thursday and Friday evenings, Nov. 13-14.

• The conference will culminate with a three-stop Farm Walk on Saturday, Nov. 15.

When: Nov 12-14
Where: Spokane Valley

>> LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
>> APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

2025 PACIFIC NORTHWEST ORGANIC SEED SUMMIT

The Summit is a gathering for Pacific Northwest-based specialty seed growers (vegetables, herbs, and flowers) to network, exchange knowledge, and develop collective actions to build sustainable, profitable, and resilient seed systems in the state. Join us for lively discussions on seed production practices, breeding crops for sustainable food production, and seed business basics. We invite you to bring your passion for seed and join us to strengthen bonds across the Pacific Northwest seed community.

When: December 6, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Where: Portland, OR
Cost: Free

>> LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

WILD SEAFOOD CONNECTION

SAVE THE DATE! 
FEB 26
BELLINGHAM

SAN JUAN ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL SUMMIT 

SAVE THE DATE! 
FEB 27-28 
SAN JUAN ISLAND

NORTHWEST FOOD HUB NETWORK SUMMIT

SAVE THE DATE!
MAR 12-13
SPOKANE 

TILTH ALLIANCE ORGANIC PERCEPTIONS SURVEY 

Tilth Alliance is spearheading a new project aimed at better understanding the decision processes around organic certification. Our team is exploring farmers perceptions of and attitudes towards organic certification in order to gain new insights into what motivates producers to obtain certification, and what barriers exist to becoming certified.
 
If you are a farmer, regardless of your certification status, we’d love to hear from you! These short surveys should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete, and the information you provide is extremely valuable. Please choose the survey option that best describes you:

>> CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMER SURVEY
>> NON-CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMER SURVEY


 

SAVING TOMORROW'S AGRICULTURE RESOURCES (STAR) SURVEY

We are surveying experts and practictioners (ie farmers, researchers, agronomists, etc.) to learn more about the conservation production practices in Washington cropping systems. The goal is to better understand the degree of conservation practice adoption across the state and the logistical and economic feasibility of implementing these practices. Data gathered will be used to launch the Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources (STAR) program in Washington. 

>> TAKE THE SURVEY




       

HANDBOOK FOR SMALL AND DIRECT MARKETING FARMS FEEDBACK SURVEY

WSDA Regional Markets is gearing up for an update of our flagship publication, the Handbook for Small and Direct Marketing Farms. Please take a moment to provide some feedback on the current version of the handbook, and what you'd like to see in the future. 

View the current online version

>> TAKE THE SURVEY