Kozzy Acres has been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency as a farm. The property qualifies for free government grants for improving your farm through the USDA’s EQIP program (and others).

NRCS High Tunnel Initiative

I have spoken with the USDA’s Mississippi NRCS office and this farm should qualify for funds (up to $9,000) to build another high tunnel up to 30’ X 70’ in size (The greenhouse* that’s already on the property is 12’ X 24’). That’s 2,100 sq. ft. – bigger than the house!

You might be able to run your farm business just out of that greenhouse, the second greenhouse, the 15 raised garden beds, the livestock and poultry buildings and a stocked pond.

Here’s a video of one homestead family and their two EQIP grant high tunnels of 30′ X 148′!!!

To get your EQIP High Tunnel Initiative grant money, you will need to submit an application, get approved and then you must purchase a manufactured high tunnel system (no DIY projects) to build the greenhouse (the NRCS office also has a list of supplier/builders). The eventual size of the high tunnel or greenhouse will depend on what features you want and what you want to spend (if any) of your own money. You must follow EQIP program guidelines for building the greenhouse (the high tunnel must be a certain height, you must use specific plastic thickness for your structure covering, etc.).

NOTE: Depending on how your NRCS office works, you might be reimbursed for your high tunnel, fencing or other expense once the NRCS has inspected the finished product. In other cases, the NRCS might pay the contractor directly. You do not get a check to spend as you please.

*Technically, the Kozzy Acres structure is a high tunnel, because it does not have air heating or cooling, which a greenhouse does. However, most people refer to high tunnels as greenhouses, so, to avoid confusion, I call our structure a greenhouse. The USDA’s program is referred to as its High Tunnel Initiative.

Organic Initiative

If you plan on running an organic farm, you might qualify for up to $14,000 in USDA EQIP funds through the agency’s Organic Initiative.

Livestock Fencing and Watering

If you plan on having goats, a horse, a cow or other livestock, the NRCS provides funds for fencing, up to twice what you have erected (e.g., if you fence half an acre, the NRCS will pay for an additional 1 acre of fencing).

You can also apply for funds for bringing water to your livestock, such as building a piped trough. The local NRCS representative has told me that Kozzy Acres won’t qualify for another pond, but should qualify for grant money to have water brought to a trough (piped from the pond?) for livestock.

Land Easement Money

You might also be able to get money if you agree to set aside part of the forest and the pond (i.e., don’t cut down the trees or fill in the pond) for X number of years.

If you promise to use your forest, land and pond in specific ways that help protect the environment, you might qualify for conservation easement money.

Take the USDA’s farm-funding quiz to learn more.

Free Assistance With Your Farm

The local NRCS office (located about 15 minutes away) also provides technical assistance and advice. I had two visits from experts who walked the farm for an hour and gave me advice about the land, soil, forest, pond, buildings, land grading, plantings, tree management, crop choices and fencing. You can apply for more formal assistance once you are ready.

In addition to these grants, you might also qualify for USDA agricultural loans. The USDA website has loads of information and resources for new farmers, including tips on marketing, diversification, soil management and tax strategies for growers.