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Tuesday: Learn About FACT's Fund-a-Farmer Livestock Grant Program
Annual Program Provides Modest but Meaning Grants for Farm Improvements
Local Food Forum has long worked closely with Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT), an animal welfare organization that focuses on humane treatment of livestock. FACT's annual Fund-a-Farmer Grants program is one of the non-profit's main channels for providing direct support for livestock farmers.
The application cycle for the 2027 grants is getting under way, and FACT is holding a free virtual event Tuesday (October 20) at noon central (1 p.m. eastern) to explain the grant process. From the organizers:
Looking for funding that can help take your farm to the next humane farming level? One that’s easy to apply for and report on? Look no further, FACT’s Fund-a-Farmer grant program is the perfect way to improve the lives of the livestock on your farm. In this session FACT’s Humane Farming Director, Samantha Gasson, will discuss the Fund-a-Farmer grant process, application tidbits and application no-no’s. If you’re planning on applying this year you won’t want to miss this informative session.
This past April, Local Food Forum published FACT's announcement of the 2026 grant recipients. Here is how they described the program and its impacts:
Since 2012, FACT has awarded 839 grants to farmers totaling over $1,840,000 to improve farm animal welfare, expand humane farming, and support capital and operational work. This year, we distributed almost $280,000 to 75 farms.
Our 2026 grants to farmers seeking or holding animal welfare certification were generously underwritten by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), with grants to farmers within a 200-mile radius of Chicago graciously funded by Food:Land:Opportunity. The rest of 2026’s funded projects were made possible by generous donations from our fantastic FACT community.
This year, we were happy to be able to expand the Systems Change and Innovation Grant, a grant for up to $10,000 for projects making significant changes on their farms, from 2 projects to 4 thanks to continued support from The ASPCA.
Many current and past grant projects have focused on fencing, converting to slower-growing chicken breeds, transitioning animals out of confinement and onto pasture, replacing watering systems, or building mobile animal shelters. Farmers have also completed a variety of unique projects involving constructing cattle scratching stations, planting trees to improve access to shade, and purchasing equipment for fly control.
That article also included the full list of the 2026 grants, which provides a more precise description of the types of improvements FACT funds.
If you are a livestock farmer who could benefit from a FACT grant, consider attending the webinar (click the first button above)... or if you know a livestock farmer who could benefit, spread the word.
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