The FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the For Farmers Movement

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The For Farmers Movement has rapidly expanded since its inception in early 2022. It began with an initial experiment of six grants that fall, and has since grown to support nearly 200 farms across 46 states.

The For Farmers Movement offers numerous ways to connect you with your farmers, allowing you to make a tangible impact on your health, community, environment, and economy in simple ways.

If you are a farmer, we are here for you, working tirelessly to motivate the community of non-farmers to understand your value -- from the food you produce to the impact you have on your community, environment, and economy -- and to invest in your success.

What is the For Farmers Movement?

1. What does the For Farmers Movement do? We stand with America’s small and mid-sized farmers—sharing their stories, funding their ideas, and rallying people to support them in real, tangible ways.

2. How did the For Farmers Movement start? It started with one belief: if more people understood the challenges farmers face, they’d want to help. That belief grew into a movement thousands strong, that’s now funded 190 grants in 46 states.

3. Why is For Farmers focused on small and mid-sized farms? These farms feed communities, protect the environment, and keep rural economies alive—but with tight margins, they’re also the most at risk in today’s food system.

4. What is the big problem that the For Farmers Movement solves? We help farmers bridge the gap between what they need to thrive and what they can actually afford—especially when traditional funding falls short or disappears.

5. Who runs the For Farmers Movement? Dana DiPrima started the Movement in 2022 and runs it with the help of volunteers and a growing community of supporters.

How do you support small farmers?

6. How does For Farmers support farmers? We award small, high-impact grants and amplify farmers’ voices so more people understand and value their work.

7. Besides grants, what else does For Farmers do? We dispel myths, share important but little-known facts, connect consumers to their farmers, host events, build partnerships, and help you see how small farmers produce more than food.

8. How big are the farmer grants? Grants typically range from $500 to $1,000—enough to fix a broken fence, buy a critical piece of equipment, or keep operations moving after a setback. We also offer bigger collaborative grants.

9. What can a grant be used for? Anything that strengthens the farm—repairs, infrastructure, new tools, recovery after storms, or projects that help a farm grow.

10. How do you choose which farmers get grants? Farmers apply, and we review their needs and plans with a team of farmer and non-farmer volunteer reviewers. We prioritize projects with the highest impact and the greatest need.

11. How do you ensure donations go directly to farmers? 100% of donations go directly to farmer grants. Grants are awarded to the farmer as an investment up front, eliminating the need to spend their own money first or take on debt.

12. What is the impact of farmer grants? A small grant can keep a farm in business, improve food security in a community, and strengthen local economies. For Farmers grants are about more than the money. They are a powerful demonstration that we care about small farmers and recognize their important role in society.

13. Can I see examples of past funded projects? Yes! All of our funded farms and their projects are cataloged here, farm by farm, and on a map!

14. How do you measure the success of your grants? We follow up with farmers to see how the funds made a difference—and share those results with our supporters. We hear from our farmers all the time about their progress.

How do farmers apply for support?

15. How can I apply for a grant? Farmer grants are available during two seasons. The primary season opens in October each year on National Farmer's Day. First, For Farmers accepts nominations of farms. Farmers apply and grants are awarded on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving. We award around 100 grants each December.

In February, For Farmers runs a Love For Farmers campaign that culminates in a People's Choice Award where the public votes on farmer-submitted projects. The top 10 or so receive funding.

16. How do I know if my farm qualifies for a grant? For Farmers focuses on small and mid-sized farms in the U.S. producing food for their local communities. Although we value what they do, we do not fund animal sanctuaries.

17. When do you issue grants? Grants are awarded twice a year, with the majority of grants awarded in December following an open application period that begins in October.

18. Is the application process difficult? Not at all—it’s short, straightforward, and designed so farmers can spend more time in the field, not at a desk.

Where does your funding come from?

19. Where do you get the money for farmer grants? From people like you—individual donors, community events, private foundations, and a few special business partners.

20. Does a $1 donation really help? Yes. Our One For Farmers campaign is built on the idea that if one million people give $1, we can fund $1 million in grants.

21. What will the For Farmers Movement do with $1M? We’ll fund hundreds of grants nationwide—especially for farmers who’ve lost promised funding from government programs.

What is the impact of For Farmers?

22. What challenges are small farmers facing right now? Rising costs, extreme weather, disappearing government support, labor shortages, and competition from industrial agriculture.

23. Why is shopping with your local farmer important? Your money stays in your community, supports good jobs, and keeps farmland in production.

24. Why do small farms matter for our food system, community, and environment? They enrich our soil, grow nutrient-dense food, preserve biodiversity, practice humane animal husbandry, and strengthen local economies.

How can I be a part of the Movement?

25. How can I get involved? Donate $1, spread the word, follow and engage on social media (IG @xoxofarmgirl), listen to the One Bite is Everything podcast, attend an event, or start a mini-fundraiser to fully fund a farmer’s grant. You can also volunteer to send postcards (February) or to review grants (in the fall).

26. Can I volunteer or partner with For Farmers? Yes—we welcome volunteers, strategic partners, and creative collaborations.

27. Can businesses or brands get involved? Absolutely. Sponsorships and cause-marketing campaigns are powerful ways to show customers you care about farmers.

28. What’s next for the For Farmers Movement? For Farmers is focused on deepening its programs in communities across the country to build a stronger bridge between eaters and the farmers who feed them. We are expanding the farmer's market-based Walk a Mile in a Farmer's Boots event to more markets, with a focus on community fundraising and grantmaking that is more regionally concentrated.

If you have any questions that aren't addressed here, feel free to send us a message, and we'll respond promptly or add it to the list.

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

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Dana DiPrima is the founder of the For Farmers Movement. For Farmers supports American farmers by sharing their stories, replacing myths with facts, and providing them with mini-grants and other helpful resources. Dana is the host of  One Bite is Everything, the podcast that helps you have a big impact on your health, your community, and the planet, through tiny, informed choices. She authors a weekly letter in addition to this blog. You can subscribe here. And you can join the For Farmers Movement to support your farmers here. You can also follow her on Instagram and Threads.