Washington State Organic and Sustainable Farming Fund

Tilth Alliance is accepting applications from farmers who seek financial assistance in support of projects that improve the economic viability, social impact, environmental sustainability and overall resiliency of their farm business. The goal of this grant program is to support organic and regenerative agricultural practices as a means to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, conserve water, sequester carbon, reduce GHG emissions and mitigate climate change; projects that further these objectives will be considered for an award.

Each individual farm business is eligible to receive up to two grant awards over a five-year period. Pease note: While previous grantees are eligible to apply, priority will be given to new applicants and award amounts will be subject to funding availability. Repeated applications must be non-consecutive (i.e., take a one-year break between asks).

Funding Levels

• **Individual Farm Business Projects: ** grant requests can be made up to $15,000. 

• Collaborative Projects: Two farm businesses working together on a shared project that will benefit both businesses can request up to $20,000. Collaborative projects that will benefit three or more farm businesses can request up to $25,000. Only one application is required but all participating farms must include their information. (Please refer to question 12, “What are Collaborative Projects,” in the FAQ for more information and guidelines.)

• **Basic Farm Establishment Grant: ** Farmers establishing a new farm business can request up to $8,000 in grant funds to procure basic supplies. (Please refer to question 13, “What is a Basic Farm Establishment Grant,” in the FAQ for more information and guidelines.)

This grant program is open to all Washington State farmers who: 

• Currently employ or are adopting practices that follow regenerative, sustainable, and/or organic principles (this includes conventional farms that are transitioning into organic, sustainable, or regenerative production).  

• Have at least two years of farming experience (Basic Farm Establishment Grant) or at least two years owning and operating an established farm business (Individual Farm Business Project and Collaborative Project Grants).

• Are seeking to implement, sustain, improve and/or expand upon their sustainable, organic or regenerative practices. 

• Non-profit farms with the mission of providing free food to low-income families or communities are eligible.  

• Non-profit farms with produce sales greater than $10,000 per year are not eligible. 

• Previous grantees are eligible to apply for another grant but priority will be given to new applicants.  All awardees must wait one calendar year before applying again.

• Applicants may only receive one Basic Farm Establishment Grant, after which they must apply under the Individual and Collaborative funding levels to receive additional WSOSFF funding.

Ideal projects will address at least one of the bulleted topics above while also creating new revenue streams or reducing costs, improving quality of farm life and operations, and/or improving the economic sustainability of the farm. Example topics (for illustration only, not an exhaustive list): 

Topics likely to receive consideration:

• Proposals that implement NRCS Climate Smart Practices from the Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) Mitigation Activities List for FY2025

• Composting, improving soil health, erosion prevention 

• Conserving and restoring natural habitats, protection of native pollinators 

• Production and/or use of renewable energy 

• Integrated Pest Management planning  

• Adoption of Organic/regenerative farming practices 

• Tillage reduction  

• Reducing off-farm inputs and/or farm waste 

• On farm seed saving and increasing availability of regionally adapted seed stock  

Topics not likely to receive consideration:

• Equipment powered by fossil fuels*

• Refrigeration projects**

• High tunnels 

• General operating funds, farm staff labor 

• Cover crop seeds

• Hydroponics projects

• Facility maintenance and improvements

• Business marketing or promotion

• Workshops or educational materials

• Livestock purchases

• Projects readily funded by other federal grants may receive lower priority or be denied

* Attachments for currently owned fossil fuel powered equipment are eligible.

** Unless accompanied by a robust justification and explanation of its sustainability, including renewable energy or recycling plan, as appropriate.

• Proposals should have objectives that are realistically achievable in a 12-month period (April-March). The total granted amount must be spent by April 30 of the year the grant is awarded.

• Budget should be well-justified and explain project expenses in detail. Matching funds or in-kind contributions to the project (if any) must be clearly listed.   

• Multi-year projects or those exceeding the maximum allowed request will not be funded. We recognize the importance of multi-year projects but cannot guarantee funding for projects beyond a single year. 

• The amount granted (whether in part or in full) will depend on the size of the applicant pool and available funding.  

Funding Priorities

• Projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, reduce tillage, increase the climate resilience of the farm, improve on-farm soil health, preserve and/or create wildlife habitats, protect and preserve water quality, increase biodiversity, reduce off-farm inputs and/or result in environmentally safe waste management practices.  

• Projects that involve resource sharing (i.e. Will more than one farm benefit from the project? Can the knowledge, and resources acquired through the grant be shared with others?)  

• Conventional farmers who want to transition to organic, sustainable, or regenerative practices, whether certified or not. 

• Projects led by or that emphasize working with under-resourced or underserved populations.

All submissions must: 

• Not exceed the designated word limits 

• Follow the format provided in the application document 

• Provide a clear rationale and demonstrate a significant need for the project  

• Provide measurable outcomes and impacts and explain specifically what you hope to accomplish with the funds

• Include two letters of support. Supplemental materials in addition to this may not be considered.

Please note that proposals that include multiple projects will not be considered. 

Application Instructions

1. Carefully read through the Grant Criteria and FAQs before starting your application.

2. Complete the grant application form online, or download the form documents. There will be no extensions – make sure to give yourself enough time to meet all of the grant requirements.

3. Obtain two letters of support from agricultural peers, mentors, educators, or community organizations, to be submitted with your application, preferably as a single document. Letters should directly reference the applicant’s name, farm name(s), and project title. Letters of support from individuals or organizations that will directly benefit from the award will not be accepted.

4. Submit completed application, including the grant application form, budget form, and the two letters of support via the online form, by email to raerussell@tilthalliance.org, or through the postal service to Rae Russell, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite #100, Seattle, WA 98103. A response email will be sent within 3 business days of your submission to confirm receipt of your application. If you do not receive this email, please email raerussell@tilthalliance.org.

5. Digital submissions via the online form linked below are preferred.

6. If submitting by mail, please send your materials to Tilth Alliance at 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98103. Physical applications must be postmarked by the grant deadline. Inform Rae Russell of submission to ensure it is received.

Online Application

• FAQ

• Grant Application (MS Word)

• Program Page