PUBLIC NOTICE

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State of Maine
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
2025 Maine Farms for the Future Phase 1 and Phase 2

Maine Farms for the Future Phase 1 (RFA ARDFFF.P1.2025) and Phase 2 (RFA ARDFFF.P1.2025) have been released.

Both RFAs and additional information can be obtained on Farms for the Future program website.

The continued vitality of the agricultural landscape in Maine depends on the vitality of the farm businesses within it. Planning for and enacting changes, adaptations, and growth is critical for farm businesses to achieve sustainable profitability. The Maine Farms for the Future Program is a two-phase competitive program that provides selected farms with business planning assistance and investment support.

Phase 1, or the Business Plan Development Program, provides grants to farm businesses to conduct strategic business planning and research for "Idea(s) for Change" that might increase Farm Vitality, or the "long-term, maintainable, farm profitability and net worth." Selected farms are awarded $6000, which can be used to work with a business advisor to develop a Business Plan and/or to work with other approved agricultural and professional service providers to research the Idea for Change.

Phase 2, or the Investment Support Program to Implement a Business Plan, provides the opportunity to apply for low-interest loans and in some instances, cash grants to invest in infrastructure or equipment related to the Idea for Change investigated in Phase 1. Selected farms receive a recommendation to apply for an AMLF loan of up to $250,000 with a 2% interest rate. Farms who are willing and able to protect at least 5 acres of farmland for at least 7 years are also eligible to apply for a cash grant of up to $25,000.

Key Dates:

Applications Open: January 24, 2025

Written Questions Due: January 31, 2025 AND February 21, 2025 

Applications Due: 11:59 PM, March 7, 2025