Other
Farms Fund (lease-to-own farmland access)
The Conservation Fund
What you can get
No cash grant - subsidized farmland access via a 3-5 year lease-to-own pathway • No cash grant. The Conservation Fund acquires at-risk farmland near growing metros, places permanent agricultural protections on it, leases it to a farmer, and provides a patient pathway to affordable ownership within three to five years. Participating farmers also get support identifying and applying for farm business tools and federal programs, access to new markets, and time to invest in farm infrastructure.
- Readiness
- Ready to apply
- Who can apply
- producer, Farmers ready to expand their farm business, reach scale to meet market demand, and work toward land ownership in the Atlanta, Chicago, or Charlotte NC metro foodsheds; farmers outside those markets may still submit the survey for future expansion.
- Coverage
- GA, IL, NC, AR
- Deadline & timing
- Rolling intake as of August 2026 - farmers submit the Farmer Survey at any time and staff follow up; no published cutoff date. The farmer page describes pilots in Atlanta, Chicago, and Charlotte NC; the parent program page also lists a NW Arkansas Farms Fund. Farmers in other metro markets are invited to submit the survey for future pilots.
land programsbeginning farmer
Last verified Aug 18, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.