Find It Locally
Search CISA’s online guide to local farms, food, and more!
Find Local FoodResources for Farmers
Resources for Underserved Farmers and Farm Businesses
The resources listed below are oriented towards farmers and farm businesses owned and managed by underserved populations, including farmers of color, new and beginning farmers, women farmers, members of the LGBTQ+ community and others. For more information on the USDA’s definition of Underserved farmers, please visit here.
Organizations
In Massachusetts, New England, across the US and around the world there are many organizations that support and provide and channel resources to farmers.
USDA Resources for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers Guide
USDA Crop Insurance for Innovative Producers and Urban Farmers
Grants
The grants listed below offer specialized grants for underserved farmers and farm businesses. We are always on the lookout for new grants, so please check back periodically.
CISA Climate Change Adaptation Grants: CISA’s adaptation grants help farms design and implement adaptive practices.
CISA Emergency Farm Fund Loans: CISA’s Emergency Farm Fund no-interest loans help farms recover from weather events.
USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants (HSI) Program
Technical Assistance Providers
Underserved farmers and farm businesses can require specialized technical assistance when adapting to climate change, whether due to language, background or farming experience. The following organizations and agencies provide specialized support for diverse farming communities.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Program
USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants (HSI) Program
Massachusetts Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Land Acquisition
Acquiring farmland is difficult for many new farms and can be especially challenging for underserved farmers. The resources listed here specialize farmland acquisition in Massachusetts and New England.
Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust