2026 WVFMA $5,000 Mini-Grant Program
The West Virginia Farmers Market Association is accepting applications for its 2026 Mini-Grant Program. Eligible West Virginia markets may request up to $5,000 for tangible items that improve market operations, visibility, or service to vendors and customers.
The program is funded by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Important Dates
Application Opens
Friday, August 7, 2026
Application Deadline
Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Maximum Award
Up to $,5000 Per Project
Apply for a 2026 Mini-Grant
Read or Download the Applicant Guide & RFA
Who Can Apply
Applicants Must:
- Be a West Virginia Department of Agriculture-registered farmers market.
- Be a current West Virginia Farmers Market Association member.
- Submit no more than one application for the market.
Eligible Market Types Include:
- Traditional farmers markets
- Roadside stands
- Consignment markets
- On-farm stands
- Mobile markets
- Online markets
Markets that previously received a WVFMA mini-grant may apply again.
Applicants that have never received a WVFMA mini-grant will receive a two-point scoring bonus.
What Can the Grant Fund?
The program supports tangible items that the market will own and use. Applicants may combine eligible infrastructure and marketing items in one request.
Examples Include:
- Coolers, refrigerators, CoolBot trailers, and display cases
- Tents, shade structures, pavilions, and storage
- Durable tables, chairs, and market fixtures
- Wi-Fi hotspots, point-of-sale devices, tablets, and laptops used for market management
- Handheld or infrared customer counters
- Branded signs, directional signs, and wayfinding
- Flyers, brochures, and banners
These examples are not the only eligible items. Applicants should propose items that address their market’s specific needs.
Grant Funds May Not Be Used For:
- Salaries
- Indirect costs or general overhead
- Purchases outside the approved project budget without prior WVFMA approval
If a proposed cost is mainly a service, fee, or subscription, contact WVFMA before including it in the application.
Before You Apply
Applicants Should be Prepared to Provide:
- Market contact and mailing information
- Information about the market’s schedule, vendors, customers, sales, and nutrition-benefit programs
- A clear explanation of the market’s need
- A list of the specific items to be purchased or built
- Current price estimates
- A project start date, end date, and implementation timeline
- A plan for measuring the project’s results
- Information about other funding received for market projects this year
- A completed WVFMA Excel budget file
The budget template is available through the online application. Download the template, complete it, rename it to include your market’s name, and upload the finished Excel file with your application.
First Time Applying?
You do not need to use special grant-writing language. Provide direct answers, explain what your market needs, list exactly what you plan to purchase or build, and make sure your written answers agree with your budget.
Reviewers can only score the information included in the application.
Be specific about:
- The problem the project will address
- Who will benefit
- How the items will be used
- What results you expect
- How you will track those results
How Applications Will Be Scored
Applications will be reviewed using a 100-point scoring system:
- Project overview: 25 points
- Goals and expected outcomes: 20 points
- Budget breakdown: 15 points
- Implementation timeline: 10 points
- Impact assessment: 15 points
- Market eligibility: 5 points
- Public benefit: 10 points
Applicants that have not previously received a WVFMA mini-grant will receive a two-point bonus.
Awards may be lower than the amount requested based on the project’s merit and available funding, but no award will exceed $5,000.
Requirements for Selected Markets
Selected Applicants Must:
- Provide a completed W-9 before payment
- Confirm the mailing address for the award check
- Use funds only for the approved project budget
- Obtain WVFMA approval before changing the budget
- Keep receipts and project records
- Submit required quarterly progress reports, receipts, and a final project survey
- Complete WVFMA Market Metrics as required
Apply by September 18
Application Opens
Friday, August 7, 2026
Application Deadline
Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Maximum Award
Up to $,5000 Per Project
Apply for a 2026 Mini-Grant
Read or Download the Applicant Guide & RFA
Questions or Assistance
Questions about eligibility, allowable expenses, the budget, or the application may be sent to executivedirector@wvfarmers.org.
Past Mini-Grant Recipients
2025 Mini-Grants
2024 WVFMA Mini Grant Program
Get Involved
Become a WVFMA Member
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