Agriculture Shade Grants

Need some financial help for your next pasture or animal health improvement project? You might qualify for shade grant dollars to help fund your project, whether it’s for a portable shade structure, movable fencing or something else.

Shade grants are becoming increasingly more common. As with any grant, programs change frequently, so of course check with the grant-making authority to confirm details.

Disclaimer: Shade Haven is not involved in grant awards and funding decisions.

US / National Shade Grants

American farmers and ranchers may qualify for a range of shade grants from the federal government and other entities.

NRCS EQIP

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – Provides financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers to implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, plants, animal health, air and other natural resources. To apply for EQIP funding, visit your local NRCS field office, in your local USDA Service Center. More information and links to state programs here.

Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT )

Pasture Improvement Grants contribute $2,500 toward qualifying projects to improve pasture and grazing systems and overall welfare of livestock. Portable shade structures are a critical piece of grazing infrastructure. Last year $66,000 was awarded to 28 independent family farmers in 19 states.

Local & Regional Shade Grants

Shade grants from state governments and other entities.

Minnesota

Agri Livestock Investment Grant

Livestock producers may apply for a portion of $1.9 million in Livestock Investment Grants. Funds are provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Program and may be used for on-farm improvements. Qualifying producers are reimbursed 10 percent of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction or improvement of livestock buildings or facilities. Fencing, feeding and waste management equipment are also eligible.

Preparing for Extreme Weather (Prepare) Grant

The Prepare Grant helps Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers buy and install supplies or equipment that will help make their operations more resilient to extreme weather. That includes livestock shade systems. Approximately $500,000 is available which covers 50 to 75 approved grants. 2026 applications are due January 15, 2026.

Northeast

MFWF grant for the Octoraro watershed

Farms in the Octoraro watershed in Lancaster and Chester counties, PA, and Cecil County, MD, may qualify for a 50% cost share for the purchase of a Shade Haven mobile shade system.

Wisconsin

Dane County Soil Health Equipment Program (SHEP)

The SHEP helps offset the cost of certain equipment used to address agricultural resource concerns. The program is available to landowners or producers who own or operate agricultural land in Dane County. Traveling shade structures for grazing livestock is listed among equipment eligible for this program. SHEP allows applicants to request financial assistance for cost sharing up to 70% of the cost of equipment, not to exceed $30,000.

Canada Shade Grants

Shade grants for Canadian farmers and ranchers.

Ministerial Initiative AgroPerformance Grant

The Ministerial Initiative AgroPerformance grant offers cost-share funding for agrotechnology and other priority farm equipment that improve efficiency, profitability and sustainability. That includes mobile shade!

Submission period opens on January 12, 2026, at 9 a.m., and runs until January 31, 2026 – or until funds run out. Funds are awarded First Come, First Served, and typically run out within hours or days of the opening.

Application and grant details here.