Our 2024 grant application is CLOSED
Thank you for your interest in the 2024 LugoRico Farm Grants
The application period is now closed, and we are no longer accepting new submissions. We appreciate the overwhelming response and support for our initiative. Stay tuned for updates on the finalists and future grant opportunities. For any inquiries, please contact us at farmgrants@lugorico.org
In the spring of 2024 we awarded a total of $39,000 to six deserving farms!
We are thrilled to announce that we visited Puerto Rico (Aguadilla and surrounding areas) June 17-22 and toured 6 farms/finalists for the 2024 LugoRico Farm Grants. During this amazing trip, we awarded a total of $39,000 to 5 deserving farms. We’re excited to see how these farmers use this much needed money to increase their production amd sustainability.
For those interested, here are details of our 2024 Farm Grant application process.
Eligibility
- Only Puerto Rico Farms are eligible to apply. (50% ownership of farm must be a Puerto Rican)
- Grant awards are up to $5,000 maximum
- Applicant is Puerto Rican and an owner/operator of the farm or has long-term, legal access to the land. Note: If farming on leased land, a letter of support from the landowner specifying length of the lease agreement must be provided with the grant application.
- 501(c)(3) agricultural nonprofits are also encouraged to apply. Note: You will be required to upload 501(c)(3) documents as well as a complete list of board of directors.
- The applicant farm must be an established working farm with at least 2 years in operation.
- Farm is small to medium-sized as determined by acreage in agricultural production.
- Farms with more than 150 acres in agricultural production are ineligible to apply.
Preferences for 2024
Projects are scored on their impact to help farms operate more sustainably as well as strengthen community, including but not limited to:
- Water Conservation (for example, drip irrigation & rainwater catchment)
- Natural Pest Control (for example, owl or bat boxes)
- Pollination (for example, beehives & pollinator hedgerows)
- Soil Health (for example, cover crops & minimizing tillage)
- Energy Efficiency (for example, renewable energy options like solar, geothermal & wind)
- Heirlooms (for example, not using GMO seed, saving heirloom seeds, using heritage varieties)
- Increase Low-Income Consumers’ Access to food (for example, expanding free or low-cost CSA shares)
- Equity, Community Building & Education (for example, do you provide sustainability education for new farmers, students, refugees, etc.)
- Support beginning and under-represented farmers including LGBTQ and women
What Are Your Chances?
We receive applications for many worthy projects but have limited funding available. Up to 10 applicants will be chosen and go through another round of questions resulting in five (5) finalists. We will then schedule a date to meet you and tour your farm.
Remember, We Will Not Fund
- Farms located outside of Puerto Rico.
- Land purchases
- Project costs associated with labor
- Consultants or administrative costs
- Requests that are dependent upon receiving funding from a larger grant
- General marketing costs
- We’re not currently considering applications from farms that have already received a LugoRico grant
Privacy
Our Privacy Policy ensures that all information provided by applicants is treated with the utmost confidentiality. LugoRico Inc will only utilize the collected data internally for the purpose of processing and selecting the recipients of our farm grants. We guarantee that no applicant information will ever be disclosed, shared, or sold to any third party. Your privacy and trust are of paramount importance to us.
Photography and Media Consent for Grant Recipients
Hello potential applicants! As you consider applying for our farm grants, we want to ensure transparency about our promotional practices. Should you become a recipient of our grant, we kindly request your consent to capture photos and videos of you and your farm. These visuals will be used for promotional and editorial purposes, helping us showcase the impact of our grants and inspire support from our donors. They may appear on our website, social media channels, and other promotional materials. If selected, you’ll be required to sign a model and property release, granting LugoRico Inc permission to use these materials in alignment with our mission of supporting Puerto Rico’s agricultural community. Your willingness to participate will greatly contribute to our efforts in making a positive difference in the lives of farmers across the island.
2024 Farm Grant Application CLOSED
CONTACT
For more information please contact our Executive Director Jason Lugo at jason@lugorico.org
LugoRico is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation and your donations may be tax deductible. Please seek the advice from your financial adviser.