RISE Grant
Resilience in Small-scale Enterprises Grant
Applications Currently Closed
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Financial assistant for unexpected challenges
The recent severe storms across North Dakota were devastating to local farmers. Several local producers have lost greenhouses or received extensive damage to fencing and storage facilities. We know how difficult these unexpected costs can be, especially for smaller-scale producers that are not eligible for the same insurance coverage as larger operations. In response, FARRMS is offering a RISE grant to assist producers in recovering from these severe storms.
FARRMS Grants Restore Critical Infrastructure
Wayne & Becca Baumbach, The Pasture in Cummings, ND
For one local farm, The Pasture, a $500 RISE Grant meant replacing critical fencing and protecting their pasture-raised poultry, ensuring they can fulfill 2025 customer orders.
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​Owned by Wayne and Becca Baumbach, The Pasture is a model of sustainable farming, with a mission to create a thriving, biodiverse environment for animals and people alike. Located in Cummings, ND, the couple raises myotonic (fainting) goats, boer goats, turkeys, and chickens while also maintaining wildflower meadows, beehives, and a honey processing operation on their property. The Pasture is a trusted source of pasture-raised turkeys and chickens that they offer to local customers. They have also been recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, stating, “This certification is one more step toward our mission.”
Significant dedication and passion has gone into making The Pasture what it is today. Since purchasing their farm in 2018, the Baumbachs have removed thousands of pounds of debris, enhanced the soil with organic compost, and are restoring the property with native grasses, wildflowers, fruit trees, wildlife, and the rotational grazing of livestock. The Pasture faced a new challenge on June 21st when a storm with wind gusts over 100mph and heavy rain swept through the area. The family farm was hit with devastating damage: trees fell, fencing was destroyed, and the farm’s coop and brooder were damaged. The Baumbachs lost 15 butcher-ready chickens and 20 young turkeys, an especially hard hit for their summer meat production.
FARRMS awarded The Pasture a RISE grant to help replace two critical sections of fencing, restoring secure containment for their flocks. “Without the grant, we would not have been able to replace fencing due to the cost,” said Becca Baumbach. “This funding will restore critical infrastructure and get our farm’s flocks back on track to fulfill 2025 customer orders.”
The Pasture was one of several farms impacted and was among five recipients of an emergency $500 grant. These grants helped fund critical recovery projects like replacing plastic coverings on greenhouses, rebuilding a calf shelter, and replacing fencing for pastured poultry. "We know farming is challenging and a storm like this is truly devastating," said Stephanie Blumhagen, FARRMS Executive Director. "We hope these grants help farmers begin to pick up the pieces and remind them that they're not alone. FARRMS is here to help." These projects and the grants that supported them reflect the resilience and determination of North Dakota's small-scale producers and the vital role that targeted support plays in helping them recover and rebuild.
RISE Grants In Action
“We have not yet been able to purchase replacement fencing due to the cost, and this funding would help us restore this critical infrastructure and get our farm’s flocks back on track to fulfill 2025 customer orders.”
“This disruption has reduced our poultry production and impacted the fulfillment of our customer commitments. We are working to recover quickly and sustainably, but the damage has put key parts of our farm infrastructure out of commission and, consequently, limited our ability to replace the lost poultry.”
“This early-stage damage represents a significant unforeseen cost and a hurdle to our planned operational scale and efficiency. While we are fully committed to our farm's long-term success and will find a way to navigate these repairs, grant support would be instrumental in accelerating our recovery.”
Eligible Costs
The RISE Grant will cover infrastructure costs for producers who market their products locally that have received extensive damage due to the storms that occurred on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21. Covered expenses include but are not limited to high tunnel frames and plastic, fencing materials, row covers, replacement seeds, and animal shelters. This grant does not pay for labor or costs related to decrease in sales due to damaged crops.
Application Requirements
This grant is intended for local producers in North Dakota and the Red River Valley. “Local producers” means those who are growing local food or agricultural products and marketing directly to consumers at farmers markets, through CSAs, on-farm sales, agritourism, farm-to-institution, farm-to-restaurant, or other direct sales. Applicants must live in North Dakota, or if they are in the Red River Valley but in Minnesota, they must market their products in North Dakota. Home gardeners who are not marketing their products are not eligible for this grant.
Grant Details & Reimbursement Process
This is a reimbursement grant. Grant awardees will submit receipts showing costs incurred for the repair or replacement of damaged infrastructure. Selected applicants will be reimbursed the total cost up to $500. Funds will be disbursed on a first come, first served basis until the total project fund of $5000 is exhausted. FARRMS reserves the right to partially fund a grant request or deny a grant request. Grant application will close on July 21, 2025.