2026 Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Grants Program

Regenerate Virginia: Farm Vitality Grant

Overview

The American Farmland Trust (AFT) offers the Farm Vitality Grant to help working farms and ranches in Virginia boost long-term viability — especially if you plan to adopt or expand regenerative farming practices. Funds are meant for planning, business development, equipment for regenerative systems, or expanding into new products/markets. American Farmland Trust+2American Farmland Trust+2

This isn’t a loan — it’s a grant to help you build a stronger, more resilient farm operation for the future. American Farmland Trust

Who Qualifies / Eligible Applicants

• Must be a for-profit farm or ranch in Virginia (not non-profits). American Farmland Trust+1

• Must provide proof of income from farming/ranching (or similar if you barter or exchange produce). American Farmland Trust+1

• Must have at least two seasons of production experience. For newer farms (under two seasons), AFT considers internships, farm-management experience, training or similar — if you can document it. American Farmland Trust

• Eligible operations must be soil-based agriculture (crops, livestock, silvopasture, etc.). Aquaculture, forestry, and pure equine operations are excluded. American Farmland Trust

• Note: Only one grant per farmer / farm family per funding cycle. American Farmland Trust+1

What It Can Cover (What the Grant Pays For)

You pick one of three “Tracks” based on what your farm needs. American Farmland Trust+1

• Track 1: Equipment for regenerative systems (up to $15,000)

  • Eligible: things like no-till seed drills, compost spreaders, mobile fencing or watering systems (for rotational grazing), compost tea brewers, cold storage, solar-powered irrigation, silvopasture tools, high tunnels — basically equipment that helps you farm in a regenerative way. American Farmland Trust

  • Not eligible: standard tractors or combines, general-purpose vehicles, short-term supplies (seeds, fertilizer), fuel — or equipment unrelated to regenerative practices. American Farmland Trust

• Track 2: Business Development & Planning Support (up to $15,000)

  • Eligible: hiring consultants or professionals for farm business planning, bookkeeping setup (e.g. QuickBooks), financial planning, strategic budgeting, succession planning, legal or appraisal fees, market readiness studies, farm transition planning, coaching for labor/management, or planning for diversified/regenerative enterprises. American Farmland Trust

  • Not eligible: general operating expenses (payroll, rent, utilities, fuel), unrelated education, or unrelated marketing. American Farmland Trust

• Track 3: Product & Market Expansion (up to $25,000)

  • Eligible: developing value-added or regenerative products (e.g. grass-fed meat, organic produce), branding and packaging design, certification costs (organic / regenerative / grass-fed), e-commerce or website tools, processing or packing equipment (freezers, bottling lines, packing stations), outreach to new markets, delivery systems or multi-farm hubs, market-access tools, or marketing tied to regenerative agriculture. American Farmland Trust+1

  • Not eligible: businesses unrelated to farm/regenerative production (e.g. a B&B, unrelated merchandise), general-use vehicles, marketing campaigns not tied to regenerative farm goals, or luxury branding unrelated to farm products. American Farmland Trust

What It Does Not Cover

• General farm operating costs (utilities, labor wages, fuel, rent). American Farmland Trust

• Standard heavy machinery or general-use vehicles. American Farmland Trust

• Capital-intensive building construction or real estate improvements (unless those directly support regenerative track equipment or operations). American Farmland Trust

• Costs incurred before grant award (this is not a reimbursement for past expenses). American Farmland Trust+1

Funding Details

• Maximum grant per applicant depends on track:

  • Track 1 and Track 2 → up to US $15,000 American Farmland Trust+1

  • Track 3 → up to US $25,000 American Farmland Trust+1

• No cash-match requirement. You may use other resources (in-kind or external funds) along with grant — but the grant does not require matching funds. American Farmland Trust+1

• Payment split: typically 75% of grant paid within ~90 days of award acceptance, then final 25% after you submit a report (within one year) showing how funds were used. American Farmland Trust+1

• You must complete the proposed project (equipment purchase, business plan, market launch, etc.) within one year of receiving the funds (unless other arrangements allowed). American Farmland Trust+1

Application Window (Key Timing)

• 2026 Grant Application Opens: 8:00 am ET, December 1, 2025 American Farmland Trust+1

• 2026 Grant Application Deadline: 11:59 pm ET, December 19, 2025 American Farmland Trust+1

• Award announcements: Early 2026 American Farmland Trust+1

• After award: 75% of funds disbursed within ~90 days; project and final report due within 1 year; final 25% paid after reporting. American Farmland Trust+1

How to Apply

1. Wait until the application portal opens December 1. The application will be online via a form linked from AFT’s website. American Farmland Trust+1

2. Fill out eligibility questionnaire, farm background, production history, project proposal, cost estimates, and timeline. American Farmland Trust+1

3. Select one Track (Equipment, Business Development, or Product/Market Expansion), and describe how the funds will be used in line with regenerative agriculture goals. American Farmland Trust+1

4. Keep in mind that work must begin after award notice; expenses incurred before award are not covered. American Farmland Trust+1

If you need help or have questions about eligibility, reach out to AFT contact listed on their website when applications open. American Farmland Trust+1