Grant Myth Monday is a weekly series that addresses common misconceptions about farm grants and offers practical guidance to help producers navigate the funding process with confidence.

Grant Myth: “Farm grants are really just for small farms. Bigger operations don’t qualify.”

A common assumption in agriculture is that grants are designed only for small, early-stage, or family-scale farms.

Because many programs aim to strengthen rural communities and support underserved producers, larger and more established operations sometimes assume they’re too big to be considered.

Believing this myth can prevent strong, impactful projects from ever being submitted.

Reality: Grants are for a range of farm sizes!

The grant landscape is much broader than one could expect. Instead of assuming your operation is too large, the key is matching your project to the program with the right goals.

Understanding why farm size doesn’t automatically determine eligibility

While some grant programs do target beginning, small, or socially disadvantaged producers, many are open to a wide range of business sizes. Eligibility varies across programs, and being a larger operation does not automatically exclude you from receiving funding.

In fact, many grants fund projects that create measurable impact, something mid-sized and large farms are often well-positioned to deliver. Eligibility criteria can include factors such as years in business, revenue, number of employees, or characteristics of your workforce.

Properly understanding these eligibility requirements is the best way to avoid mistaken assumptions and, most importantly, identify programs that fit your operation, no matter its size.

Looking at real examples to see the range of farm sizes supported

Several major agricultural grant programs welcome applicants across the size spectrum:

• REAP (Rural Energy for America Program): Open to agricultural producers of all sizes, from small family farms to large commercial operations, as long as at least 50% of gross income comes from agricultural production.

• Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG – Planning & Working Capital): Supports agricultural producers of various sizes in developing or expanding value-added products through planning or working capital for processing and marketing activities.

• NE-DBIC (Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center): Accepts both small and larger dairy operations, focusing on product development, modernization, and strategic business improvements.

  
  

Checking eligibility criteria to confirm your fit

Most programs clearly outline size-related requirements in the eligibility section. Taking the time to review revenue thresholds, employee counts, or business profile expectations can quickly clarify whether a program is right for you.

Understanding these criteria gives you confidence and helps you focus your time on grants that truly align with your operation, saving valuable time and energy for the work that matters most.

Are you interested in finding grants tailored to your farm’s size, goals, and project needs? Lasso finds only eligible grants, so you don’t have to worry if your farm is too big for a program. Learn more at app.joinlasso.com.

Do you want to stay updated on practical grant tips, funding opportunities, and ways to strengthen your farm’s competitiveness in the application process? Follow us on our Lasso social media pages.

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