Two funding opportunities are now open to Maine farmers to support investments in soil health and specialty crop production. Together, the grants make hundreds of thousands of dollars available to help farms strengthen operations, adopt best practices, and enhance long-term sustainability, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), in a news release.

Maine Healthy Soils Program – Soil Health Implementation Grants

Approximately $500,000 is available through the Maine Healthy Soils Program’s Soil Health Implementation Grant, with funding appropriated by the Maine Legislature. Awards of up to $65,000 will help farmers overcome barriers to improving soil health and integrating best practices into day-to-day management.

Funds may support projects such as equipment upgrades, improved management practices, and increased labor access.

Application deadline: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 12 p.m. (noon)

A virtual Information Session will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 1 p.m. Registration details are available on the program website. All written questions must be submitted online by 12 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Written summaries of the Information Session and responses to submitted questions will be posted on the program website by 12 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Only responses issued in writing on the website will be considered binding.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Owning and/or operating a farm located in Maine
• Producing agricultural products with a gross annual value of at least $2,000, intended for sale or to support community food access
• Access to at least one acre of farmable land
• Enrollment in the Maine Healthy Soils Program email updates
• Commitment to soil health testing and management planning if awarded funds
• Not having received a Soil Health Implementation Grant within the last three funding cycles

Application materials, including the Request for Applications (RFA), workbook, and budget template, are available on the Maine Healthy Soils Program webpage.

Maine Specialty Crop Minor Equipment Grant

DACF also announced the opening of the Maine Specialty Crop Minor Equipment Grant, designed to help commercial farms enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop production through strategic equipment purchases.

DACF anticipates awarding up to $290,000 through this opportunity, with individual awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.

Application deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time

Online Information Sessions (via Zoom):

• Register: February 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m
• Register: March 5, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
• Register: March 20, 2026, 2 p.m.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Owning and operating a commercial farm headquartered in Maine
• Growing and harvesting at least one specialty crop in Maine
• Not having received funding from DACF’s Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) or the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program

For the purposes of this grant, minor equipment is defined as tangible, nonexpendable business property with a useful life of more than one year, an acquisition cost of $2,000 or more per unit, and a cost of less than $10,000.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Request for Applications and all related materials on the Specialty Crop Block Grant website before applying.