Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 004835
Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 004835
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.311 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 9, 2015 and posted on Jan 9, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 13, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $18,540,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities. These collaborations may include the following entities State Cooperative Extension Services Federal, State, or tribal agencies community based organizations nongovernmental organizations junior and four year colleges or universities or foundations maintained by a college or university private for profit organizations and other appropriate partners. Inclusion of beginning and/or non beginning farmers and ranchers as part of the collaborative group is strongly encouraged. Applications submitted by individuals, or by organizations that do not involve other entities in a network or partnership, are not eligible for consideration under any category applicable to the BFRDP.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program designed to strengthen and expand education, training, outreach, and mentoring opportunities for the next generation of U.S. farmers and ranchers. While beginning farmer education has long roots in the land-grant university system dating back to the Morrill Land Grant Acts of 1862 and 1890, this program represents a more targeted federal investment aimed specifically at helping new and early-career producers build skills, stay viable, and operate sustainably in a modern agricultural economy. The opportunity reflects growing national concern about the aging farm population, a projected decline in the number of farmers and ranchers, and the broader need for structured support systems that help beginners overcome barriers such as limited experience, limited access to land and capital, and the complex technical and business demands of farm and ranch operations.
This particular funding opportunity (USDA NIFA BFR 004835, CFDA 10.311) was offered as a mandatory grant program in early 2015, with applications due March 13, 2015, and an estimated total funding amount of $18,540,000. The program historically received major appropriations through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which provided $75 million across fiscal years 2009 to 2012, and it continued to be supported through the Agriculture Act of 2014 with an additional $20 million per year for fiscal years 2014 through 2018. In practical terms, these funds are intended to support projects that deliver hands-on education and wraparound development services that increase the likelihood that beginning farmers and ranchers can start, improve, and maintain successful operations over time.
A key feature of BFRDP is that it does not fund isolated, stand-alone applicants. Eligibility is limited to collaborative, state, tribal, local, or regionally based networks or partnerships of qualified public and/or private entities. Eligible partners can include Cooperative Extension Services, federal/state/tribal agencies, community-based organizations, nongovernmental organizations, two-year and four-year colleges and universities (including university-affiliated foundations), private for-profit organizations, and other appropriate partners. The program strongly encourages including beginning and even non-beginning farmers and ranchers in the collaboration, which signals an emphasis on practical mentorship, peer learning, and real-world relevance. Applications submitted by individuals, or by organizations applying alone without a network or partnership structure, are explicitly not eligible for consideration.
The opportunity also requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants must plan to contribute non-federal resources to support the project budget. This requirement typically pushes projects to demonstrate strong local or regional buy-in and helps ensure that funded efforts have the capacity and partnerships needed to deliver training, technical assistance, and mentoring at meaningful scale.
For applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement or navigating submission issues, the notice points to NIFA support through the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays, and it indicates that additional support is available for questions about preparing the application content.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) - FAQs
What is the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)?
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program that supports education, training, outreach, and mentoring for the next generation of U.S. farmers and ranchers. It is designed to help new and early-career producers build skills, remain viable over time, and operate sustainably in today’s agricultural economy.
What is the purpose of BFRDP funding?
The funding is intended to support projects that provide hands-on education and wraparound development services. The overall goal is to increase the likelihood that beginning farmers and ranchers can start, improve, and maintain successful farm and ranch operations over time.
Why does this program focus on beginning farmers and ranchers?
The opportunity reflects national concern about an aging farm population and a projected decline in the number of farmers and ranchers. It also responds to common barriers faced by beginners, including limited experience, limited access to land and capital, and the complex technical and business demands of running farm and ranch operations.
What is the specific grant opportunity referenced here?
This refers to USDA NIFA BFRDP funding opportunity USDA NIFA BFR 004835, CFDA 10.311. It was offered as a mandatory grant program in early 2015.
When were applications due for this specific opportunity?
Applications for this particular funding opportunity were due March 13, 2015.
How much funding was expected to be available for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding amount for this specific opportunity was $18,540,000.
Where does BFRDP funding come from (authorizing or supporting legislation)?
The program received major appropriations through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which provided $75 million across fiscal years 2009 to 2012. The program continued to be supported through the Agriculture Act of 2014, which provided an additional $20 million per year for fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
Who is eligible to apply for BFRDP?
Eligibility is limited to collaborative, state, tribal, local, or regionally based networks or partnerships of qualified public and/or private entities. The program does not fund isolated, stand-alone applicants.
Are individuals allowed to apply?
No. Applications submitted by individuals are explicitly not eligible for consideration.
Can a single organization apply on its own without partners?
No. Organizations applying alone without a network or partnership structure are explicitly not eligible for consideration under this opportunity.
What types of organizations can be part of an eligible partnership?
Eligible partners can include Cooperative Extension Services, federal/state/tribal agencies, community-based organizations, nongovernmental organizations, two-year and four-year colleges and universities (including university-affiliated foundations), private for-profit organizations, and other appropriate partners.
Does BFRDP encourage including farmers and ranchers in the project partnership?
Yes. The program strongly encourages including beginning and even non-begining farmers and ranchers in the collaboration, emphasizing practical mentorship, peer learning, and real-world relevance.
What kinds of activities does BFRDP support?
Based on the program description, supported activities include education, training, outreach, and mentoring for beginning farmers and ranchers, along with hands-on instruction and wraparound development services that help new producers build skills and sustain successful operations.
What is meant by "wraparound development services" in this context?
In the context provided, wraparound development services refers to structured supports that go beyond classroom-style instruction, helping beginning farmers and ranchers overcome common barriers (such as limited experience and the technical and business complexity of farm and ranch operations) through coordinated training, technical assistance, outreach, and mentoring.
Does this grant require matching funds or cost share?
Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants must plan to contribute non-federal resources to support the project budget.
Why does the program require cost sharing or matching?
The matching requirement typically pushes projects to demonstrate strong local or regional buy-in and helps show that funded efforts have the capacity and partnerships needed to deliver training, technical assistance, and mentoring at meaningful scale.
Who can help if an applicant has trouble accessing the full announcement or has submission issues?
NIFA support is available through the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays.
Is there support available for questions about preparing the application content?
Yes. The notice indicates that additional support is available for questions about preparing the application content.
Which USDA agency administers this program?
The program is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program.
What does CFDA 10.311 refer to?
CFDA 10.311 is the identifier associated with this BFRDP opportunity as provided in the opportunity details.
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