In recognition of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on early-career farmers, OEFFA is offering Beginning Farmer Pandemic Relief Microgrants to help new growers recover from the pandemic and build resilient farm businesses.  

These grants are made possible thanks to funding from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

Please review our funding guidelines before applying.

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Applicant Eligibility 

In order to be eligible to apply for awards, farms must: 

• Be located in Ohio  
• Have been in operation for between one and ten seasons 
• Be engaged in ecological farming practices that protect the farm’s natural resources

Funding Requests and Award Amounts 

The goal of the Beginning Farmer Pandemic Relief Microgrants is to provide direct support to new growers across the state of Ohio whose businesses have been impacted by the pandemic.  This assistance may include (but is not limited to) funds to cover:  

• Inputs (such as compost, cover crop seed, etc.) 
• Small infrastructure or equipment investments (such as wash-area improvements, tractor implements, etc.) 
• Organic certification expenses 

Applicants must explain how their farm business has been impacted by the pandemic and how the funds they are applying for will assist in its recovery.

Awards will range from $500 to $5,000. 

Application Instructions 

Applications for the Beginning Farmer Pandemic Relief Microgrants have closed. Awards will be announced by the end of March. 

This program is supported by NIFA USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (2019-49400-30033).