About the For Farmers Movement

 

1. What does the For Farmers Movement do?
We work to bring eaters closer to the people who grow their food by sharing farmer stories, dispelling myths, and awarding high-impact grants to small farmers. 

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2. How did it start?
With one belief: if people understood better what farmers do to put food on the table and the positive impact they have on our communities, environment, and economy, they’d want to invest in and support those farmers.

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3. Why focus on small and mid-sized farms?
They feed communities and protect the land—but face the biggest risks.

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4. What problem are you solving?
Small farmers face endless challenges and are more invisible than they should be. We make sure they are not forgotten and that they get impactful support. 

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5. Who runs For Farmers?
Dana DiPrima, alongside a small team of volunteers, occasional interns, and supporters like you.

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How do you support small farmers?

 

6. How do you support farmers?
Through storytelling (social media, weekly letter and podcast), special campaigns and high-impact grants.

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7. What else do you do besides grants?
We run a gratitude event every February, a farmer's market walk every August, dinners and cocktail parties throughout the year, and we share content that raises awareness and drives action. We always have something new in the pipeline!

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8. How big are the grants?
Typically farmer grants are $500 to $1,000. We also offer collaborative grants of up to $3000. With more individuals contributing $1 each to the One For Farmers campaign, we will be able to offer more and bigger grants. In 2025, we launched our first Transformational Grant, awarded to Pleasant Grove Homestead in Iowa.

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9. What can a grant be used for?
Anything that strengthens a small farm—repairs, infrastructure, equipment, tools, projects, recovery, innovation.

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10. How do you decide who gets a grant?
We review applications and prioritize the greatest need + impact. We have a dedicated team of reviewers -- all with unique perspectives -- from across the country who are farmers and non-farmers alike.

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How do farmers apply for support?

 

11. How can I apply?
Farmers can apply on our website each year. Sign up to get notifield when applications open. Nominations are public and are now open year-round. Visit our Nominate page to get a farmer in the system.  

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12. Who qualifies?
Small and mid-sized farms in the U.S. feeding their local communities. We do not accept applications from animal sanctuaries or homesteads operating solely for their personal use. 

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13. When are grants issued?
We announce our largest pool of 100 grantees on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving every year. Awardees for Transformational Grants are announced in Q1 annually (starting in 2026).

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14. Is it hard to apply?
No. The application is short, straightforward, and farmer-friendly. We host a few Q&A sessions before the grant deadline. And, based on farmer feedback, in 2026 we are allowing for more time to complete the application, and not just during harvest season.

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Where does your funding come from?

 

15. Where does the money come from?
It comes from people like you, $1 at a time. We also host community events like dinners and walks.

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16. Does $1 really help?
Yes! When one million people give $1 each = $1 million for farmers. But short of that $500 goes a long way on a small farm and farmers appreciate knowing that 500 people are investing in their important work. 

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17. What would you do with $1M?
100% of that would go directly to small farmers in high-impact grants nationwide.

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Why does it matter? How can I help?

 

18. What challenges do farmers face right now?
Rising costs, climate disruption, labor shortages, competition from industrial agriculture, and historic cuts to federal farm programs. The USDA eliminated $5 billion in climate-smart, market development, and food insecurity programs in 2025. Small farms are absorbing the consequences. For Farmers exists to support small farmers through these challenges.

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19. Why shop with local farmers?
They build the soil, grow real food, and build resilient communities. When you shop with them, your dollars fuel their future, stay local, and keep farmland in production.

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20. How can I get involved?

You can volunteer to send thank yous to farmers in February, donate $1 or more to farmer grants, engage on social media, read the weekly letter, share information, listen to the podcast, and more.​

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21. What is the Friend of a Farmer (FoaF) community?

FoaF is For Farmers' newest initiative -- a community of everyday people who actively support specific farmers through nominations, grants, and connection. Starting in 2026, FoaF members can nominate farmers year-round and one FoaF community member will award a $1000 grant to the farmer of their choice. Visit our Nominations page to join!

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Special thanks to summer intern Liana Kolenovic for proposing the addition of this FAQ and for leading the development of its content.