The art of writing a winning grant proposal

In our previous article, we explored the crucial first steps in unlocking grant success: identifying your farm’s unique strengths and finding grants that align with your goals. We discussed the importance of self-reflection, where to look for funding opportunities, and how to start decoding the grant giver’s objectives.

This month we’ll dive deeper into the grant application process. We’ll walk you through the art of crafting a winning application by aligning your farm’s unique features with a funder’s goals. Using the real-world example of Love Is Love Cooperative Farm’s successful application for the Farm Labor Stabilization Program, we’ll demonstrate how to effectively communicate your farm’s story, address challenges head-on, and present a compelling case for funding.

Whether you’re new to grant writing or looking to refine your approach, this article will provide practical strategies to help you navigate the complex world of agricultural grants and increase your chances of securing valuable funding for your farm.

For Love Is Love, we decided to apply for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FLSP_NFO.pdf). This was a new program, and the bureaucracy was strong with this one. The stated purpose was: