The grant application deadline passed on March 17, 2021, at 5:00 PM. As reference, you can review the application materials below.
Grants of up to $3,000 each are available for farmers wishing to solve problems, test innovations, or mitigate risk!
Grant applications are currently closed.
Grant applications must meet one of these two purposes:
1. To expand specialty crop varieties and/or crop volume sold through New Mexico retail outlets;
2. To pilot or expand regenerative agriculture practices.
For more information download the explanatory pamphlet here.
Download a sample project budget here.
Download the budget template here.
The New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association (NMFMA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support farmers and producers who grow and sell food at farmers' markets and other local and direct marketing venues in New Mexico.
With donations received, the NMFMA maintains an account at the Sandia Area Federal Credit Union (SAFCU) with funds to be used as collateral for small loans to New Mexico farmers. This enables the loans to be offered at a low interest rate and as the loans are repaid, the funds can be reused to secure new loans. It is reuse and recycling at its best!
Loan Details
Loan amounts available: $500 to $2,500
Terms: 40 months, fixed interest rate of 6% (check with NMFMA for most current rate) There is no penalty for early repayment.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a loan, applicants must comply with each of the following requirements:
Only members of the NMFMA are eligible to apply. Join the NMFMA here.
Submit an NMFMA Pre-qualification Letter (download guidelines here). Applicants may also call the NMFMA at (505) 983-4010, to request an application form by mail.
Must be a SFACU member by establishing an account at SFACU with a $50.00 balance, and upon pre-qualification approval, fill out a basic one-page NMFMA Loan Application.
Must be a food producer or food vendor (for at least one year) at an NMFMA member market. If you are a New Mexico food producer, food vendor, or are affiliated with local food who does not sell at an NMFMA member market, please contact us and we may be able to help.
We may request an exit interview at the end of the payment period.
Members may send Pre-qualification Letters to: questions@farmersmarketsnm.org
Or mail to:
New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association
1219 Luisa St. #1
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Questions? Contact the New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association at (505) 983-4010 or write to questions@farmersmarketsnm.org.
La Montanita's LaM Fund
The La Montanita (LaM) Fund is a member-funded micro-lending program designed to grow the local food system and strengthen the local economy. Members can purchase interests in the LaM Fund. Proceeds from the sale of the interests in this offering are deposited in an account with New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union for use as collateral for loans made by NMEFCU to local producers and based on the recommendations of the LaM Fund Loan Advisory Committee. The loans are administered by NMEFCU. These loans work well in conjunction with the NRCS's EQIP grants.
Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute Micro-Loans
Any current Santa Fe Farmers' Market vendor may apply for a loan of $250-$5000 and on a case-by-case basis up to $10,000 at 6% interest from the Institute, which is administered by the Permaculture Credit Union.
Kiva Zip
Crowd-funded interest-free loans of up to $5,000 for new borrowers, with a payback period anywhere form 10-24 months. You must run a campaign by posting your project on their website and sharing with your community or through social media.
