Farm Protection & Affordability Investment (Farm PAI)
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission is pleased to announce the first funding opportunity in the Farmland Protection & Affordability Investment (FarmPAI) Program. The purpose of this revolving loan program is to assist eligible entities in protecting important at-risk farmland in order to keep it in production while lowering barriers to land access for beginning or historically underserved farmers and ranchers.
Who can apply:
Open to qualified conservation entities only (see criteria for more details). No applications from individuals or other kinds of organizations will be accepted.
In collaboration with community, WSHFC is developing a program under FarmPAI specifically to create opportunities for individual BIPOC farmers, and has an RFP currently out for a facilitator. If you would like to be part of the community conversation, please add yourself to this list. We will announce when this program is open for applicants.
What can be funded:
The acquisition of fee-title interest in farmland in order to place a conservation easement on the property, protecting its agricultural conservation value and improving affordability.
How much is available:
The Commission has initially funded this program for $4.5 million.
How to apply:
Fill out and submit your online application here.
If you are unable to submit online, please contact Dan Schilling at dan.schilling@wshfc.org.
Deadline:
Rolling: There is no set application deadline.
Contact:
Questions about this funding opportunity or the application should be directed to Dan Schilling at dan.schilling@wshfc.org.
Funding decision criteria:
Evaluation and prioritization of applications will emphasize the following considerations:
Suitability of site for long-term agricultural productivity and viability;
including consideration of site’s soil type, water availability, existing infrastructure, access and proximity to market, historical or current agricultural production, proximity to other agricultural lands, proposed business/operating plans for the site, etc.
Evidence of strong organizational conduct and financial capacity of the applicant to develop the project, including a demonstrated track record of receiving anticipated conservation easement funding and repayment of debt, status of accreditation with the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission and/or Membership in the Washington Association of Land Trusts (WALT).
The degree to which the proposed project will provide affordable farmland access to a farmer or rancher eligible and planning to pursue the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan or to a historically underserved farmer and rancher as defined by USDA.
Urgency of preventing conversion of farmland, including zoning, allowed highest and best use, surrounding market conditions and trends, recent offers on the property, etc.