The NM Farmer Innovation Program’s 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 in 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 program is a pilot program effort focused on 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 2026 Rural and Tribal Agriculture Initiative Micro-Grant application is currently closed.
Webinar Recording
The Farmer Innovation Program hosted a webinar and Q&A to go over the two grant applications.
You can watch the webinar replay here.
(You may need to unmute in Vimeo.)
Funding Purpose
- Implement 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) must be producing and/or preparing to produce healthy food in rural and tribal areas within the state of New Mexico.
- Applicant(s) must be able to expend the funds and projects must be completed within one year of the award.
- Beneficiaries (those who are awarded a grant) must submit a final report, financial report 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 (NMFIP) Micro-Grant Beneficiary; producers are eligible to receive a Micro-Grant only once.
- Producers with gross cash farm income under $250,000 are eligible (commercial and noncommercial farms).
Eligible Expenses or Uses
- To leverage or implement conservation and regenerative agriculture practices.
- Purchase or lease on-farm infrastructure, equipment, supplies and materials, such as but not limited to, irrigation, tools and printed materials.
- Access 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.
- To expand their 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.
Timeline
- January 20, 2026 | Request for Applications (RFA) opens
- January 27, 2026 | Webinar and Q&A
- February 19, 2026 | Deadline to submit application (Late applications will not be accepted.)
- March 2026 | Grant Awards Announced
- November 30, 2026 | Deadline to expend funds and complete the project
- December 11, 2026 | 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.