RAFI Grants and Stipends

RAFI offers three types of funding for historically underserved farmers and ranchers who are at various stages in their farm career. RAFI follows the USDAS NRCS' definition of "historically underserved farmers and ranchers" and this definition includes beginning farmers, BIPOC farmers, veteran farmers, and limited resource farmers. Only farmers located in the U.S. Southeast and U.S. Caribbean islands are eligible to apply and additional eligibility varies with each grant. The three grants include: - an Infrastructure Grant, - a Beginning Farmer Stipend, and - a Caribbean Farmer Grant. Applications typically open in late winter or early spring each year. To learn more about these grant opportunities, click the link below or navigate to the funding tab on The Resourceful Grower.

Farm Advocacy

RAFI farm advocates provide expertise and guidance to save or strengthen farms. From working with lenders to dealing with disasters, their work is tailored to meet the individual needs of each farmer. Advocates provide services such as managing financial crisis, minimizing and managing risks, navigating federal farm and disaster programs, and assisting in negotiations with lenders and creditors. RAFI's Farm Advocacy program also maintains a toll-free Farmer Crisis Hotline at 866-586-6746.

Resources for Resilient Farms

Resources for Resilient Farmers is a project of RAFI that provides plain-language information, farmer trainings, and one-on-one assistance for USDA programs that would support greater farm resilience for farmers' operations.

Farmers of Color Network

RAFI founded the Farmers of Color Network (FOCN) in 2017 to support underserved and disadvantaged farmers of color in the US. FOCN membership is free and farmer members can receive individualized technical assistance from RAFI staff, farmer-to-farmer peer support as well as attendance at training events and farmer-buyer networking events.