Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility and Network Formation

• Can a farm or nonprofit have an open MDARD grant and still qualify for the RFNG?
  Yes. However, grant funds may not be used to cover the same expenses across multiple grants. Recipients must ensure there is no overlap in funding. Other MDARD grants may not allow for multiple grants to be active at the same time with same organization or farm, so check all program language before applying.
• If a farm is already receiving funding for regenerative practices from another source, such as a university, can they receive additional funding through this grant?
  Yes. Farms may receive funding from multiple sources. Grantees should not receive funding for the same practice (e.g. receiving cost share from NRCS for cover cropping and also proposing to use RFNG funds for the same purpose).
• Do the five farmers need to be determined before the start of the program?
  Yes.
• What is the minimum commitment for networking?
  Five farmers.
• Does the nonprofit submitting the grant need to be a 501(c)(3), or would a 501(c)(5) nonprofit also be admissible?

  Eligible nonprofits are organizations formed under Michigan state law as nonprofit corporations or associations and must obtain IRS recognition under 501(c) for tax exemption. Nonprofits must:

  • Be legally incorporated under Michigan’s Nonprofit Corporation Act.
  • Maintain corporate governance with at least three directors and adopted bylaws.
  • Stay in active good standing, filing annual reports and, if needed, charitable solicitation registrations.
  • Applicants incorporated outside of Michigan should be legally incorporated as nonprofits in their state.
  • The applicant’s mission should be in part connected to conservation or agriculture.

   
• Do farms certified within an existing regenerative farmer organization, such as the Real Organic Project, qualify as a regenerative farmer network for this grant?
  A farmer network for this purpose of this grant is a non-profit collaborator and five eligible farmers.
• Can the nonprofit be located out of state?
  The nonprofit must be either Michigan-based or a national nonprofit.
• Can a community college or university be eligible to be a grant administrator?
  Yes. See above related to nonprofit eligibility.
• Do networks need to be their own legal entity?
  No. However, members may choose to form a non-profit legal entity to act as collaborator if desired.
• How can I find or join an existing network?
  Interested farmers are encouraged to contact their local Conservation Technician, who can help connect farmers with networks across the state.
• Can new farmers join a network after it is founded?
  Yes. Networks can continue to grow and include new farmers beyond the scope of the grant. New farms to the network after the grant agreement is signed may receive grant funds if the network agrees.
• Do the original network members who apply have the authority to determine who joins the group?
  The network has discretion to decide who may participate and how to organize the network.
• Can a farmer be in more than one network?
  While there is nothing that strictly prohibits a farmer from participating in multiple networks, MDARD encourages networks to combine when possible. The goal is to foster collaboration and bring farmers together.

Funding, Reimbursement, and Match Requirements

• Is there a standard hourly wage used to calculate in-kind labor for the match?
  The network determines the rate for labor, which is just one type of in-kind contribution. Other eligible costs can include installation, equipment rental, meeting space, and similar expenses. MDARD does not set standard rates for labor. The only rate set by MDARD is for mileage, which is $0.70 per mile.
• Can the individual farms within the network receive different amounts from the grant?
  Yes. Farms do not need to receive the same amount. Some may receive more or less than others, and some farmers may choose not to receive funding at all but still participate in meetings and other network activities.
• Can a practice-based grant support only new regenerative practices, or can it also be used to expand practices a farm is already implementing?
  Funding can be used to expand existing practices, such as implementing them on additional acres, scaling up current operations or stacking practices, etc.
• Do farmers need to provide the match for the administrative line-item?
  Matching funds must be at least 30% of the total requested grant funds and directly related to the work of the farmer-led network. Matches are not required to be specific to administrative costs.
• Can we be reimbursed for projects already completed?
  No, projects cannot occur before the grant period. Existing projects can be enhanced and expanded during the grant period.
• What documentation for tracking hours used as in-kind match is needed?
  Applicants can provide their own template.

Income and Sales Requirements

• Can members of the network earn less than $6,000?
  At least five farms in the network must meet the $6,000 gross revenue threshold. Additional farms that earn less than $6,000 can still join the network alongside those five.
• Is the $6,000 minimum per farm, or $6,000 total?
  Each of the five primary farms in the network must meet the $6,000 gross revenue threshold. Additional farms earning less than $6,000 can still join the network alongside these five.
• What is an acceptable example of proof of income?
  It will be up to the collaborator to make that determination.
• How is MDARD verifying a farm’s eligibility?
  Eligibility verification is not required as part of the application. Documentation and proof of eligibility would only be needed if the project is audited. The collaborator is responsible for providing this information if requested.
• What forms of on-farm income can count towards the $6,000 minimum?
  All forms of farm income, including livestock, produce, flowers, and more, can be included. It will be up to the collaborator to determine how farmers are meeting the threshold.
• Can one of the participating farmers be out-of-state?
  To meet grant requirements, the five primary farmers must be located within Michigan. Additional out-of-state farmers may join the network as members, but they cannot count toward the five required farms or receive grant funding.

Reporting, Review, and Program Details

• Can you describe the reporting requirements? What will grantees report on, and how frequently will reporting be required?
  Grant recipients will be required to submit one report at the end of the grant period. Details on required reporting content will be outlined in the grant contract between the network and MDARD. The application includes the required and a number of optional metrics.
• For how many years in the future will this MDARD program be funded by the state?
  MDARD currently plans to fund this program for multiple years, with future years depending on state budgets passed by the legislature.
• What is the total amount of funding available?
  The total amount of funding available is $500,000 for this grant period. MDARD has set a goal for this first funding cycle to support a minimum of 10 networks.
• Who reviews and decides which applications are funded, and what support is available for applicants during the process?
  Applications will be reviewed and ranked by a committee of MDARD and partner organization staff using a scoring rubric available in the  Request for Proposals. Staff from the Soil, Water, and Climate Section are available to support applicants by answering questions and clarifying the application criteria.
• Should networks focus on specific priorities in this year’s grant cycle, or should they address all priorities?
  Networks are encouraged to start with farmer collaboration and relationship-building and then identify a fiduciary to work with. If a fiduciary is interested in supporting farmers, a helpful first step may be connecting with local Conservation Districts or speaking directly with farmers in the area to understand what regenerative agriculture-related support is most needed.
• Could grant agreements count as letters of commitment?
  Yes, if the grant agreement clearly outlines the farmer’s commitment. The template provided offers guidance on the elements that should be included.
• Who needs to serve as the fiduciary? Does it have to be a nonprofit or can a for-profit serve in this role?
  The fiduciary must be a nonprofit or conservation district. Networks also have the option to form their own nonprofit to serve as the fiduciary.
• How will networks be connected statewide? Will there be a minimum commitment?
  MDARD requires networks to send a representative to attend an annual statewide meeting hosted by the department, which will occur during the 2027 grant year.  Additional information can be found in the Request for Proposals.