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: “If I’m eligible for a grant, then I should likely get it.”

Agricultural grants play an important role in supporting projects that strengthen communities, boost local economies, and advance public goals. For many farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses, they offer a valuable source of funding that does not need to be repaid, making them especially appealing compared to traditional loans. 

With so much value attached to these programs, applicants can get ahead of themselves and focus only on the eligibility checklist. In reality, eligibility gets you in the room, but 2 key factors determine who is ultimately selected.

Reality: Even if you’re eligible, you need to make sure you’re competitive and ready!

Understanding why eligibility is only the starting point

It can be encouraging to read the eligibility checklist and realize your operation fits the requirements. However, eligibility simply means that you are allowed to apply. It does not mean you have the project the funder is most likely to support.

Every grant program has specific goals, and if your project does not closely align with those goals, your chances of winning can drop significantly.

For example, we worked with a producer who was eligible for the Washington State Department of Agriculture Large Projects grant. However, as we went through the rubric and talked to the funding agency, we saw that she lost significant points because her project didn’t involve multiple producers. We ultimately advised her not to apply as she was not likely to get the grants.

“While I’m disappointed, I also am saving so much time and energy knowing that I would very likely not get this grant.” 

Recognizing the importance of competitiveness

Even among eligible farms, competition for grants is usually intense. Reviewers look for strong plans, clear outcomes, measurable impact, and well-supported information. A competitive application requires thoughtful preparation and documentation. It is common for applicants to lose points not because they are ineligible, but because key details are missing.

One rancher, for instance, met every requirement for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, yet still scored low because their application lacked grazing records and a clear timeline. After strengthening those pieces in the following cycle, their project finally rose to the top. Eligibility opened the door, but competitiveness carried the project across the finish line.

Preparing yourself and your farm for the application process

Many farmers assume that if someone else is writing the grant, their own involvement will be minimal. In reality, grant writers can only work with the information you provide. You will still need to supply details like budgets, timelines, operational records, and project intentions.

If the applicant does not take the time to gather accurate inputs, the quality of the application can suffer. Being truly ready means having both the information and the bandwidth to support a strong submission.

Are you interested in understanding whether you are a great fit for a grant, strengthening your application, and increasing your chances of success? Lasso has a 90% success rate for a reason. Click here to learn more.

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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