Check Out Attra.org

[etxhomesteader]

if your fast and quaify theres money grants for small farmers and maybe want-to-be-farmers its on first page

[Anon001]

Estxhomesteader,

I hate to tell you that most homesteaders do not qualify. This is part of the EQUIP program which one must be a currently producing farm or ranch to qualify.

A small hobby farm usually will not get any of the money available. For example, the type that I participate in is competitive. It is competitive in the sense that they award the money to the farms that need it the most. For example, if you apply for EQUIP based on pasture clearing and revitalization, they will "grade" your pasture. Then everyone in your state that applied will be looked at based on grade. They take the worst....the most overgrown pastures with brush, cedars, etc and award the money to them first. I believe our state is awarding $200 per acre this year.

I will give you me as an example. My pastures are in terrible shape. I have applied for pasture clearing, pasture reviatilization and reseeding, pond dam repair, noxious weed control, and cross fencing. If approved I would be granted $32,000 to be used for those purposes. And the plan is very detailed and the rules of what I can and cannot do for the next 4 years are laid out in stone and the way in which I have to do the work. They will tell me how many head of livestock I can graze, and other rules as well.

To participate in this EQUIP program, anywhere in the USA, a farm or ranch must already be participating in the Farm Service Agency.

So, I would normally not do this because of the restrictions and the rules I have to live with for the next 4 years (if I win). But, my pastures are in bad enough shape that I have little choice.

Hope this helps clear it up. Basically, there is not much of anything for free to the majority of homesteads because of the size and the requirements for qualifying as a farm or ranch with the Farm Service Agency.

Hope this helps.
Paul

[Southerngirl]

We checked into a program in our area with the county about getting seed to replant our pasture, and they gave the same kind of restrictions, so we opted out of it....
I don't want anyone telling me what I can do on my own land and make it to where someone can come on my land anytime they want.
Check into all the "fine print" details before you jump into anything and make sure you agree with all their "rules" on your own land.
This may not be everywhere and for everything they offer help with, but I'd sure find out before you get too far in to something.

Southerngirl

[Anon001]

Southerngirl,

If what you applied for is part of EQUIP, then you DO NOT have to let anyone on your property UNLESS they build and stock a pond. I'm not having them stock a pond, just repair the dam. The other restrictions I have is how many head of cattle I can graze for the first 4 years which is fine. It isn't too restrictive. Also, I do have to have a weed control program and a fertilizer program. But, it's okay, beause it is things I need to do anyway. But, with all the help I "may" get, I don't have to let anyone on my place. If I did, I wouldn't accept the program.

However, there are state and federal programs. EQUIP is a federal program administered by each state. It is usually the state programs that require walk-in access for hunting and fishing. I don't go for that crap.

[Padre]

I know people who get grant money every year for one thing or another. But they don't get it on their own. They use proffesional grant writers to to do it for them. Its just like the legal system or the welfare system. The people who know how to work the system reap the benefits.

[Anon001]

That has nothing to do with Attra.org or USDA (and/or EQUIP) money. *They are not grants and are not aided by grant writers. *Although the OP referred to these as grants, they are not grants. For these monies, anyone with an existing farm or ranch can apply.