Best Organic Farming and Agriculture Grants in North Dakota

North Dakota sustainable agriculture graduate students can access funding through North Central Region SARE for research projects that support sustainable farming and are part of their degree program. Eligible Masters and Ph.D. students at accredited institutions in the North Central Region may receive up to US $20,000 for supplies, labor, travel, and related project costs.

North Dakota agricultural producers and forest landowners seeking to enhance conservation on working lands can receive technical and financial assistance to improve soil, water, and wildlife habitat. With a mission to strengthen sustainable agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of North Dakota provides five-year Conservation Stewardship Program contracts that reward existing practices and support additional conservation activities, including grazing and crop resiliency improvements.

Farmers and ranchers in North Dakota seeking to test sustainable agriculture practices through on-farm research, demonstrations, or education projects can apply for competitive funding, including up to US $30,000 for team projects. North Central Region SARE supports work in areas like soil health, insect pest control, and broader agroecological approaches.

Researchers and educators working on sustainable agriculture and agroecology projects in North Dakota can apply for North Central Region SARE’s Research and Education Grant, with awards up to US $250,000. Grants support environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible food and fiber systems with strong producer involvement and outreach across the North Central region.

Agricultural educators and nonprofit groups in North Dakota working on sustainable agriculture training can apply for professional development grants up to US $120,000. With a mission to strengthen sustainable farming systems, North Central Region SARE supports outcome-based, cross-agency training that uses farmers and ranchers as educators on emerging agricultural issues.

Focused on sustainable agriculture, North Central Region SARE invites North Dakota agriculture professionals partnering with at least three independent farms or ranches to pursue on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects; awards up to US $50,000. Eligible projects may test cropping or grazing systems, develop new marketing, add value, or enhance food security and resilience.

Researchers studying community-led sustainable agriculture and rural development in Latin America or the Caribbean, including U.S.-based scholars, can receive US $20,000 fellowships for twelve months of rigorous field research. The Social Science Research Council and Inter-American Foundation support projects on issues like sustainable agriculture, disaster resilience, migration, and social inclusion that generate actionable insights for community organizations and funders.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest owners, Tribes, and water management entities in North Dakota can access funding to implement conservation practices that improve water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s National Water Quality Initiative, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service supports sustainable agriculture projects in targeted Walsh County watersheds, including Horseshoe Lake, Outlet Forest River, and Park River.

Graduate students conducting research in drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive scholarship support through the American Water Works Association. Focused on actionable solutions for current water industry challenges, this $3,000 award may benefit students whose work connects to sustainable agriculture and agroecology in North Dakota and beyond.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible institutions working on sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and land or water conservation in North Dakota can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000 to support biodiversity-focused projects. Grants from Biophilia Foundation help U.S. groups, especially in priority regions, advance ecosystem restoration, restorative economies, and conservation policy on private lands.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with projects in sustainable agriculture and related areas in North Dakota and across the U.S. can seek up to US $100,000 to launch or expand programs. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans supports initiatives in education, environment, health, family, and arts for veterans.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and research institutions working on pollinator health and ecologically responsible agriculture in North Dakota can apply for up to US $75,000 to support research, education, advocacy, and capacity-building projects. With a mission to promote pollinator health, One Hive Foundation provides funding for sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and related public policy and communications initiatives across the U.S. and Canada.

Nonprofits, individuals, and research institutions working on animal welfare and sustainable agriculture projects in North Dakota and worldwide can seek up to US $200,000 for advocacy, research, and movement-building to improve nonhuman animal wellbeing. With a mission to alleviate animal suffering globally, Centre for Effective Altruism provides flexible funding for high-impact, often early-stage initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups working on sustainable agriculture, food systems, or farmed animal issues in North Dakota can apply for Stray Dog Institute’s grants, typically US $2,500 - US $10,000, for project or general operating support. U.S.-based and some international NGOs and educational institutions focused on food system transformation may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations in North Dakota working on health, hunger relief, or related education and research can receive support from Herbert Foundation. The foundation funds health-focused charities and food charities, including medical research, prevention, treatment, nutrition assistance, and sustainable agriculture or agriculture education that advance hunger relief and community well-being.

Graduate-level plant science and sustainable agriculture researchers enrolled in U.S. PhD programs can access funding through the Botany in Action Fellowship to support research and outreach. Grants from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens provide US $6,000 plus outreach training, which may benefit projects connected to organic farming and agroecology in North Dakota or abroad.

Nonprofits, charities, and social enterprises in Canada or the U.S. working on regenerative, sustainable agriculture can apply for One Young World’s Generation Regen Challenge, with awards up to US $200,000. Young leaders aged 18–35 in North Dakota and beyond may fund projects improving soil health, biodiversity, water stewardship, animal welfare, and local food security.

Our Mission and Vision

The Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation exists to foster innovative sustainability initiatives that make a positive impact on our planet. We want to find solutions to the complex challenges facing our world today.

Our vision is to facilitate positive action toward sustainable and innovative solutions in agricultural and environmental sectors that reduce carbon footprints and minimize risk for our communities.

Grant Programs

Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation administers projects directly funded by donors that help reduce carbon footprints through carbon positive practices and emission offsetting. The foundation holds open application periods for projects in the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and Canada that focus on reducing environmental risk through regenerative agricultural practices, habitat restoration and using natural energy sources to make our communities more sustainable.

Reducing Carbon Footprints

The foundation supports projects that work to reduce carbon footprints through the following initiatives.

Habitat Reclamation

• Restoration of habitats creates spaces for native flora and fauna and microorganisms to survive. Natural landscapes are integral to functioning ecosystems and increasing biodiversity, not to mention creating habitats for pollinator species like bees and butterflies that we so desperately need for agricultural success.

Regenerative Agriculture

• Regenerative agricultural practices have a far-reaching impact on the industry and our lives. We aim to reduce carbon emissions by fostering projects that innovate row crop sustainability and dairy, beef, pork and poultry operations to create practices that are sustainable for years to come.

Renewable Energy

• We care about carbon positive practices that harness renewable resources like solar, wind and biomass for improved efficiencies and overall reduction in use. Organic matter often sourced from agricultural production, garbage and tree pruning can be converted to energy in various ways, recycling it back into the agricultural operation that created it or fueling our communities.

Soil

• Soil sequestering practices have wide-reaching benefits like restoring and building organic matter in the soil and increasing biodiversity. It boosts water infiltration and retention and reduces erosion. Through practices like no till, applying organic matter like manure and biochar, and planting cover crops, we improve soil health as well as take CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Tree Planting

• Planting trees is a simple act that makes a huge impact in our urban, suburban and rural communities. They provide shade, release oxygen and improve air quality, improve soil quality and biodiversity, all of which contributes to offsetting carbon emissions.  

• Water
• We want to find ways to protect and restore the integrity of our water resources. We aim to fund projects focused on practices that create efficiencies and reduce the agricultural production impact on water quality and benefit our communities by conserving one of our most important natural resources. 

John Harsch Regenerative Agriculture Grant

Funding for projects adopting best regenerative agricultural management practices that impact one or several of these areas:

• Improve water quality
• Reduce soil erosion
• Increase soil health index
• Reduce synthetic fertilizer use
• Increase effective manure use as a fertilizer
• Increase biodiversity
• Reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions

About the Healthy Soils Program Block Grant

Through the Block Grant model, CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS), partners with regional organizations to administer local grant programs that support farmers and ranchers implementing healthy soils practices.

Block Grant Recipients work directly with producers in their region by providing outreach, technical assistance, and support throughout project implementation. These organizations manage the local application process, recommend projects for funding to CDFA, establish agreements with producers who carry out soil-health practices on their operations, and manage funded on-farm projects.

By working through trusted regional partners, the Block Grant model helps ensure funding reaches producers along with locally informed support and technical expertise, thus expanding the adoption of soil-building practices across California.

The Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Pre-Applications program, funded by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, seeks innovative proposals to combat Huanglongbing (HLB) and its associated diseases. This initiative aims to ensure sustainable citrus production in the U.S. through collaborative strategies that leverage existing knowledge. Funded projects will focus on developing actionable solutions for growers to effectively manage and prevent HLB infections, ensuring the health of citrus crops in the near future.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5413 - Comparison of PFAS Contributions to Agricultural Systems

Grant Information

• Report per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations from a variety of agricultural inputs, including animal manures, fertilizers, pesticides, composts, soil amendments, seed coatings, and biosolids-based products.
• Compare the impact of the various agricultural inputs on PFAS concentration in the soil profile over varying timeframes.
• Evaluate the fate and transport of different inputs to PFAS contributions in agricultural systems at field-scale.
• Determine the relative contributions from biosolids-based products and other inputs to help develop and prioritize risk management strategies.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.

The Regenerative Agriculture Foundation Grant supports organizations that promote regenerative practices, emphasizing the value of people, plants, animals, and the planet. With a focus on BIPOC-led initiatives, the foundation encourages systemic change in agricultural systems through collaborative funding. Grants are available to U.S.-based organizations that align with RAF's vision and engage in transformative efforts. The competitive grantmaking process is by invitation only, ensuring targeted support for impactful projects.

The LFF: Nature-Based Climate Action Grant aims to support initiatives that leverage natural systems to combat climate change. By funding projects focused on tree planting, prairie restoration, and carbon sequestration, the program seeks to engage communities and enhance understanding of climate challenges. Ideal applicants include rural organizations working to create measurable environmental impacts while fostering collaboration and policy change. This grant represents an opportunity for organizations ready to take significant strides in addressing the climate crisis.

The USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC) invites research proposals for pulse crops, focusing on breeding, nutrition, crop management, and product development for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Projects should adopt a transdisciplinary approach to tackle complex challenges, with average awards around $30,000. Researchers are encouraged to leverage industry funding for matching grants. Note that equipment purchases over $10,000 are not eligible. Compliance with specific proposal guidelines is essential.

The Anderson-Rogers Foundation Grant supports U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental protection, animal welfare, climate change mitigation, and social support. Established in 2001, this family foundation prioritizes innovative projects and general operating support for small organizations facing financial constraints. Note that applicants must first submit a letter of inquiry, as the foundation does not fund scholarships or grants to individuals or religious organizations, nor does it support organizations outside the U.S.

The Harry Chapin Foundation grants support 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. focused on self-sufficiency. They prioritize grassroots programs in the arts, community education, and environmental sectors, with a budget cap of $750,000. Grants are typically awarded for one year, with renewals requiring a new proposal each year. Organizations using fiscal agents or applying for individuals are not eligible. The foundation is dedicated to improving lives through sustainable initiatives.