The NM Farmer Innovation Program’s Summer 2026 Rural and Tribal Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grants will be made available by Farm to Table to agricultural producers, political subdivisions of the state or local government, Tribal entities and agencies, and non-profit organizations that are working to provide solutions for our changing climate with projects that advance regenerative agriculture in Rural and Tribal communities.
These Micro-Grants are small, one-time-only awards given to grantees for short-term projects and are awarded through Farm to Table’s New Mexico Farmer Innovation Program. This is a pilot program focused on food access, and conservation and climate-smart agriculture for New Mexico farmers.
These Micro-Grants are competitive and will be awarded in amounts of up to $20,000, based on eligibility and ability to meet the funding criteria. Each successful applicant can only receive one Micro-Grant. Expenditures and projects must be completed within one year of the award.
The Summer 2026 Rural and Tribal Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grant application will open to accept applications on June 22, 2026.
Click here for the press release about previous Rural and Tribal Micro-Grants awarded in 2026.
Webinar and Q&A
The Farmer Innovation Program will hold a virtual webinar and Q&A on Tuesday, June 30 from 4-6pm on Zoom. Click here to register for the webinar.
The webinar will also be recorded and sent out afterwards.
Funding Purpose
- Provide support for projects by farmers and ranchers which provide solutions for our changing climate that advance regenerative agriculture, water conservation/efficiency, energy conservation and climate change mitigation.
- Improve access to nutritious food in New Mexico communities experiencing food access challenges.
- Improve access to culturally relevant food.
- Support the Implementation of conservation practices that will improve resilience to climate change and on-farm sustainability.
- Increase small farm farmers’ capacity for growing food, expanding operations, implementing climate-friendly practices, and building resilience to a changing climate.
- Provide supplies, equipment and technical assistance to farmers in Rural and Tribal communities.
- Support farmers who may not qualify for other forms of funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant’s project must be focused towards working to provide solutions for our changing climate that advance regenerative agriculture, water conservation/efficiency, energy conservation and climate change mitigation and on-farm sustainability.
- Applicant(s) must either be producing healthy and/or preparing to produce healthy food for communities experiencing food access challenges in New Mexico.
- Applicant(s) must be able to expend the funds and complete the project within grant term.
- Applicant(s) submit final report, financial report with receipts and project data by the end of the term.
Beneficiaries will be required to participate in follow-up storytelling and data collection. - Beneficiaries must not be a previous New Mexico Farmer Innovation Program Micro-Grant Beneficiary; producers will be eligible to receive a Micro-Grant only once.
- Producers with gross annual cash farm income under $250,000 are eligible (commercial and noncommercial farms).
- The Micro-Grants require that all applicants submit an application that provides project details and outcomes.
- Applicant or organization is a NM Grown Approved Supplier Program (ASP) participant
or applying to participate in NM Grown ASP. For more information contact the NM Farmers’ Marketing Association. www.newmexicofma.org/nm_grown_approved_supplier_pro.php
Eligible Expenses or Uses
All expenses must be related to or working towards implementing conservation and regenerative agriculture practices on the farm or ranch and/or improving access to healthy food with processing, storage, and related infrastructure. Eligible expenses include, but at not limited to:
- Purchase or lease of on-farm infrastructure, equipment, supplies and materials, such as, but not limited to, irrigation, tools and printed materials.
- Access to and/or provide access to training and technical assistance for producers, such as but not limited to, soil testing, grant assistance for conservation and regenerative agriculture practices and other services.
- Provide cost share for supplies and equipment.
- Materials/tools to expand growing operations.
- To enhance ongoing regenerative agriculture, water conservation/efficiency, energy conservation and climate change mitigation programs led by new and established agricultural leaders, stakeholders, growers, and farmers.
Grants operate on a reimbursement basis. However, in certain cases, Beneficiaries may request funds be pre-distributed with a qualified quote and a written request, sent to FTT at: nmfip@farmtotablenm.org
Timeline
- June 22, 2026 | Request for Applications (RFA) opens
- June 25, 2026 | Webinar and Q&A (4-6pm)
- July 27, 2026 | Deadline to submit application (Late applications will not be accepted.)
- August 2026 | Beneficiaries announced
- March 31, 2027 | Deadline to expend funds
- April 14, 2027 | Deadline to submit final report, financial report and project data.
Please use this contact form for questions about the Micro-Grants and the Farmer Innovation Program.