Finding Funding for Farms & Food Access

Are you part of a food system or farming entity in Tompkins County seeking additional resources for your business, organization, or project? Struggling to navigate the myriad of grants and resources available for food and farming work? 

We are excited to announce a FREE series of skill-building workshops and coaching sessions designed to support food and farm-related entities in accessing the funds they need. These sessions, generously funded by the Tompkins County Legislature through Cornell Cooperative Extension, provide hands-on training, new tools, and opportunities to connect with potential collaborators. Work directly with grant writing and fundraising consultant Brit Campese of Vision Driven Consulting.

Winter 2026 Workshops: 

What's Going On Out There?: Farm & Food Grants 

Thursday, 1/29 10am-12pm, CCE Tompkins or on Zoom

In this hybrid, interactive workshop, we will be sharing what we know about upcoming grant opportunities for farmers and food access organizations. We have pulled together a list of grants from a range of funders (e.g. USDA, NYSFVI, non-governmental foundations, etc.) and will help you decide whether or not these opportunities fit your situation. There will be time for Q & A about the opportunities, in addition to general grant questions. Register for this session here. 

Farm & Food Business Planning 

Thursday, 2/26 9am-12pm, CCE Tompkins or on Zoom

In this hybrid, interactive workshop, participants will learn about the basic components of business planning and have time to work on their own business plan. Together, we will learn how to create a simple budget and project description. Participants will receive a budget template, and all activities can be modified based on where you are in your business planning journey. All levels welcome! Register for this session here. 

Eligibility

Fundraising support and coaching are available to nonprofits, farm and food-related businesses, and fiscally sponsored projects that advance the goals in the Tompkins County Food System Plan. Priority will be given to organizations that:

• Have annual budgets under $250K
• Operate in rural or less populated towns and villages
• Do not currently have paid grant writers or development staff
• Feature leadership that reflects the communities they serve
• Are majority-led by individuals who are Black, African American, and/or of African descent; Immigrants, Indigenous, and/or People of Color

How to Register

 For more information, or to get connected to coaching sessions, call Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County at 607-272-2292 or email art228@cornell.edu

Last updated December 19, 2025