Agricultural Plans

The Agricultural Plans grant is administered through the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund under the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This program is designed to address the significant and ongoing loss of farmland across the state, which has been identified as one of the highest rates of conversion in the United States. The Trust Fund provides competitive grant funding to support initiatives that preserve agricultural lands and strengthen the long term viability of farming communities. The Agricultural Plans component specifically focuses on enabling county level planning efforts that are locally driven and tailored to regional agricultural needs. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development or enhancement of agricultural planning tools that promote farmland preservation and agricultural economic sustainability. Eligible project types include Voluntary Agricultural District programs, Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District programs, County Farmland Protection Plans, and Cost of Community Services Studies. Each application must address one of these categories and is limited to serving a single county. The program emphasizes local engagement and strategic planning as key mechanisms to combat farmland loss and support family farming operations. Funding is provided as grants with defined maximum amounts depending on the project category. Voluntary Agricultural District related projects may request up to 8500 dollars, while Farmland Protection Plans and Cost of Community Services Studies may request up to 17000 dollars. Funds are intended for specific allowable activities such as ordinance development, outreach, planning, stakeholder engagement, and educational initiatives. Certain costs are explicitly disallowed, including administrative overhead, lobbying, fundraising, and general government expenses. Applicants must submit a detailed budget through both an application form and a standardized worksheet, ensuring consistency across all financial documentation. A matching requirement applies to most applicants, with specific percentages determined by organizational type and county economic tier. Nonprofit organizations are required to provide a minimum 30 percent match, while county governments may have reduced requirements depending on their designation and whether they have an approved farmland protection plan. Matching funds may include both cash and in kind contributions, and documentation such as letters of commitment is required to verify secured funding. These matching contributions play a role in the scoring process, with higher secured matches resulting in stronger budget scores. Eligibility for this grant is restricted to nonprofit conservation organizations and county governments as defined by state statute. Individual farmers or landowners cannot apply directly but may participate through partnerships with eligible entities. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed plan will address local agricultural challenges and support farmland preservation goals. Each application is evaluated through a structured process that includes an initial eligibility review, submission of required documentation, and a mandatory interview with program staff. The application process consists of two required parts, each with its own deadline. Part 1 serves as an initial screening to confirm eligibility and identify the project category, while Part 2 requires detailed information about the proposed plan and its implementation. After submission of both parts, eligible applicants are invited to participate in an interview, which includes a presentation and may involve additional documentation requests. Applications are scored based on budget and interview performance, and final funding decisions are made by the Commissioner of Agriculture in consultation with an advisory committee. For Cycle 20, the application timeline begins with Part 1 opening on August 3 and closing on August 31, followed by Part 2 opening on September 14 and closing on December 21. Applications must be completed in full by each deadline to remain eligible, and late or incomplete submissions are not accepted. Funded projects have a performance period that extends through September 30, 2029, with the possibility of extensions if requested in advance. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, requiring applicants to carefully coordinate planning, documentation, and stakeholder engagement to submit a competitive proposal.

Ensure all documentation is complete at submission; secure matching funds with documentation; prepare thoroughly for interview presentation