The Local Farmer Awards provide grants of up to $2,500 to support farmers in purchasing capital equipment with a life expectancy of more than five years. These funds aim to help farms grow by addressing specific operational needs through investments in tools and infrastructure. Eligible projects must be directly related to the processes of growing, harvesting, or processing agricultural products, with all projects required to start and conclude within the 2025 calendar year.

To qualify, farms must have annual gross sales of at least $10,000 and be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire County in Massachusetts. Farms must derive more than 50% of their economic activity from growing, harvesting, and marketing their own agricultural products. Award recipients are required to contribute a portion of the cost for the equipment or improvements funded by the grant. The program does not cover expenses for items or improvements outside of direct farming operations.

The 2025 application period opens on January 1, 2025, and closes on January 31, 2025. Applications are competitive, and funding decisions are made anonymously by a panel of reviewers with agricultural expertise. Notifications of awards will be sent by the end of March, with checks disbursed by the end of April or within two weeks of the anticipated project start date. Recipients must complete a brief project report by October 2025 detailing the implementation and impact of the funded project.

Applications must include general farm information (e.g., location, gross sales, products, and sales outlets) and specific project details, including a timeline, cost breakdown, and expected business impact. Past funded projects demonstrate the program’s range, with awards supporting investments like hoophouses, irrigation equipment, electric fencing, seeders, and herbal processing upgrades. In 2024, awards ranged from $760 to $2,500 based on farmer requests.

Farmers who applied in the past but were not selected are encouraged to reapply, as are previous award recipients. The program’s review process prioritizes thoughtful applications that demonstrate a clear need and the potential to enhance farm operations. This opportunity offers significant support for local farmers seeking to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in their agricultural practices.