Farm Transition Grant: Research and Development Grant

The Farm Transition Grant, administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, offers matching funds for Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives to diversify operations and transition to value-added production. Approximately $500,000 will be awarded in competitive grants ranging from $500 to $49,999.

Overview
The Farm Transition Grant (FTG) is administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DOAG) and provides matching funds to Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives for the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state.
Funding for the Farm Transition Grant is provided through C.G.S. Sec. 22-26k. The FTG
Program and any awards are subject to limitations of state funding.
Funding Availability
CT DOAG expects to award approximately $500,000 in this round using a competitive review process. Grant awards can range in size from $500 to $49,999.
An individual, farm, or agricultural cooperative may only receive one FTG in FY 2026.
Agreements may last between eighteen months to two years from the agreement start-date. CT DOAG anticipates most agreements to start in March or April 2026. Applicants should anticipate agreements will end by September 2027 or March 2028 and may not be extended.
If selected, grantees may only incur eligible expenditures after the grant agreement is fully executed, it is on or after the agreement effective date, and the grantee has been notified by the grant manager that they may begin work.
Grant Categories
Four distinct grant categories are available. Applicants must select the category they feel best represents their project. Each applicant may only submit one (1) project to be considered per grant cycle. CT DOAG reserves the right to adjust the grant category selected by the applicant.
Supports farms with a minimum of three years of production history to conduct market research and evaluate the viability of developing a new product, offering a new service, or reaching a new market.
Match requirement: 40% of total project costs
Projects looking to purchase/install a greenhouse or hoop house should contact your local USDA NRCS office for current funding opportunities.