The application period for 2025 has closed. Applicants will be contacted by early May.
Comments, concerns and questions can be sent to farmerfoundation@fronteragrill.net or ksullivan@fronteragrill.net
About the Frontera Farmer Foundation
The Frontera Farmer Foundation is committed to promoting small, sustainable Midwestern farms serving the Chicago area, by providing them with capital development grants. Small local farms, which often struggle financially, are more likely to promote biodiversity by planting a wide range of produce and operate using organic practices. By their artisanal approach to agriculture, the freshness of their product and the variety of their offerings, these farmers insure the highest quality food while they add immeasurably to the fabric of their local rural community.
Eligibility requirements:
Frontera Farmer Foundation will award grants for capital improvements of up to $15,000 to small and mid-size farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin that sell their food products to customers in the Chicago area at farmers markets and otherwise. We define “small and midsize” to mean family farms with up to $600,000 in annual gross revenue.
Farmers must have been in business for at least three years and must demonstrate how the grant will improve both their farm’s viability and the availability of locally grown food products in the Chicago area. Farms that have been awarded grants will be eligible every other year, for a maximum of three awards.
Nonprofit farms & farms connected to nonprofit organizations are not eligible for grants.
Grant applicants will be judged on the basis of demonstrated need, long-term dedication to sustainable farming, impact on the Chicago foodshed, creative and business acumen, and commitment to sustainability. Applicants will also be judged on their past history with the foundation. Additional grants will be approved only after a farm has demonstrated the initial grant had a measurable impact on the farms infrastructure and ability to provide locally grown food to the Chicago area.
Sample Files for Grant Application
Sample Profit & Loss PDF
Sample Profit & Loss Excel
Sample Debt Schedule PDF
Sample Debt Schedule Excel
2025 Grant Application PDF
Grant application is provided in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
