A USDA Grant Opportunity for Farmers to Support Agricultural Excellence

Western New York is steeped in a proud agricultural tradition. Our region’s fertile soil, dedicated farmers and growing expertise have made Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties vital contributors to the region’s food supply. So we’re happy to promote an upcoming USDA grant opportunity for farmers. It’s a chance for our friends and neighbors who work so hard to provide food locally – and even across the nation.

Let’s explore the Farm Business Management and Benchmarking (FBMB) Competitive Grants Program. If you’re an area farmer who intends to apply, move quickly. Full applications are due Feb. 20, 2025.

Available grants will range from $50,000 to $450,000.

As many agricultural producers know, the road to sustaining a successful business is fraught with challenges. Rising costs, fluctuating market demands and the sheer difficulty of making ends meet can strain even the most resilient operations. 

Olean Food Pantry enjoys our current partnerships with the farming community, which often provide lower-rate or free surplus food to our Leo Moss Drive facility. Here we understand the critical role that our local farmers play — not just in feeding families but in fortifying the regional food distribution network that sustains us all. 

Area Farmers Can Benefit from this USDA Competitive Grants Program

The FBMB Program is designed to enhance the farm management skills and knowledge of agricultural producers by expanding access to critical resources and maintaining a publicly available farm financial management database. With this funding, agricultural producers can gain the tools needed to make informed decisions that bolster farm productivity and sustainability.

This funding is a chance for our friends, families and neighbors in agriculture to not only survive but thrive in today’s challenging environment. The USDA’s FBMB Program underscores its commitment to empowering those who sustain America’s agricultural heritage.

Why This Matters for Western New York Farmers

As the backbone of our regional food system, farmers face immense financial and operational pressures. Yet it often feels like food insecurity in Western New York is overlooked by powerful decision-makers and financial interests elsewhere. 

Rising inflation, unpredictable weather patterns and increasing competition make it harder than ever to maintain sustainable operations. These grants are designed to address those challenges head-on, offering resources and support to help farmers succeed. (At Olean Food Pantry, we know the importance of sustainability first-hand. Sustainability is a key part of our grant pursuits within our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign.) 

For Western New York farmers, this opportunity is particularly meaningful. Selected applicants can access resources that could lead to improved profitability, innovative practices and strengthened community food networks.

A Closer Look: Details of the FBMB Grant Opportunity for Farmers

• Program Purpose: Improve farm management knowledge and expand the national farm financial management database.
• Eligible Applicants: State agricultural experiment stations, colleges, universities, private organizations, nonprofits, individuals, and other entities.
• Award Range: Up to $450,000.
• Estimated Total Funding: $2 million.
• Closing Date: Feb. 20, 2025.
• Cost Sharing: No match required.
• Technical Assistance Webinar: Details to be announced.
• Language Access Services: Interpretation and translation services are available at no cost.

For additional questions, email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov.

Calling on the Spirit of the Western New York Farming Community

We encourage all eligible entities in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties to explore this funding opportunity. As our grant writing professional always puts it: “You have to be in it to win it.” Strengthening local agriculture means strengthening our entire region, and this grant could be a game-changer for many hardworking farmers.

Olean Food Pantry’s volunteers see the resilience and innovation of our farmers every day. Whether you run a small family farm or a larger operation, you are part of a legacy that feeds our communities and supports our shared future.

Planting Seeds of Sustainability with a USDA Grant Opportunity for Farmers

Olean Food Pantry is committed to helping our community at every level of the food system — from distributing nutritious meals to helping the very farmers who grow them. By sharing funding opportunities like the FBMB Program, we aim to empower members of our agricultural community to innovate, grow and continue their vital work.

Let’s honor our region’s rich agricultural heritage by ensuring its continued vitality. With the help of grants like this one, we can overcome today’s challenges and sow the seeds for a brighter, more food-secure tomorrow.