Grant Coaching for Farmers & Ranchers
Helping Farmers Build Grant-Ready Projects and Pursue the Right Funding
Grant funding can be a powerful tool for growing a farm business, investing in infrastructure, improving conservation practices, or expanding into new markets. But successful grant applications start with a strong farm business and a well-defined project.
Sierra Harvest's Grant Coaching Program provides free, one-on-one support to current and aspiring commercial farmers and ranchers in Nevada, Placer, Yuba, and El Dorado counties.
Is Farm Grant & Funding Support Right for You?
This program is designed for farmers and ranchers who currently operate, or are actively working toward operating, a commercial agricultural business.
You do not need to be an established or large-scale farmer to participate. Beginning farmers are welcome. However, you should have a clear agricultural business goal and be prepared to do the planning and work necessary to develop a fundable project.
Still figuring out what you want to do with your property?
If you're still exploring what you want to produce, how you will generate farm income, or what your agricultural business will look like, you're probably not ready for grant support just yet. Grant and funding support is not intended to determine what you should do with your property or fund the general development of rural property or homestead.
We encourage you to start with our Farm Biz course and business-planning resources, and we're happy to help connect you with the right place to begin.
Depending on where you are in the process, Sierra Harvest can help you:
Develop Your Project: Clarify what your farm business needs, what you want to accomplish, and what the project will realistically require.
Explore Funding Options: Consider grants, cost-share programs, loans, and other potential funding sources and determine which may be appropriate for your project.
Prepare for Grants: Assess eligibility and readiness, develop budgets and timelines, and gather the information and documentation commonly required by funders.
Apply for Funding: Identify appropriate grant opportunities and receive coaching and feedback as you develop your application.
Manage an Award: Understand reimbursement, recordkeeping, reporting, and other requirements that come with grant funding.
Our goal is to help you build the skills and confidence to make informed funding decisions and successfully pursue and manage funding for your farm business.
How We Can Help
How It Works
1. Tell Us About Your Farm
Complete our short intake form so we can learn about your farm business, goals, and what you're hoping to accomplish.
2. Identify Your Next Step
We'll help determine where you are in the process and what support would be most useful:
Business Readiness → Project Readiness → Funding Readiness → Grant Readiness → Grant Application
Sometimes that means you're ready to pursue a grant. Other times, business planning, project development, or another Farm Institute resource is the better next step.
3. Get the Right Support
When you're ready to pursue funding, Sierra Harvest staff and experienced grant coaches can provide individualized support through project development, application, and post-award grant management.
No Cost to You
Farm Grant & Funding Support is available at no cost to eligible farmers and ranchers through Sierra Harvest's Farm Institute.