Farmer Resource Hub Incentive Programs
USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP)
A restructured federal incentive program focused on directing funding to farmers while building market opportunities for climate-smart products. With up to $20 K in incentives per farm, this grant-funded initiative supports practice adoption, technical assistance, and supply chain development, with a strong emphasis on increasing producer revenue and reducing reporting complexity.
Choose the path that better fits your operation with 3 participation tracks: Food Hub Ready (prepare to meet wholesale and institutional demand), Regenerative Incentive (implement practices that strengthen your land and productivity), and Food Safe (build or enhance your food safety systems to access new markets).
Join a network of producers expanding opportunities and setting their operations up for resilience and long-term success.
New Verification Program
Incentive Program Tracks
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Food Hub Ready
Access larger markets like schools and hospitals by meeting FSMA-aligned food safety requirements. Get support completing required documentation, plus two years of access to a farmer-friendly platform for verification and traceability. Earn a $2,500 annual stipend (up to two years) upon completion.
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Regenerative Verification
Access funding to implement regenerative practices that strengthen your soil and farm resilience. Receive up to $10,000 per year (for up to two years) to support practices like compost application, reduced or no-till (including equipment), high tunnels, and cover cropping, helping you invest in long-term productivity and thriving on-farm performance.
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Food Safe
(COMING SOON)
Advance your farm’s food safety readiness to achieve SAFE verification and prepare for future Group GAP eligibility. This track supports required steps including a recent food safety training certificate, a FSMA-compliant wash station upgrade plan, and active use of the Heavy Connect platform—positioning your farm for expanded market access.
What is Food Hub Ready?
As the San Diego Food Hub continues to grow, we’re expanding into larger institutional markets, such as schools and hospitals, which require stronger food safety documentation under FSMA standards. To support farmers in meeting these requirements, we’re launching our Food Hub Ready Verification program—an incentive-based opportunity designed to help your farm continue to expand sales through the Food Hub.
Through this program, farmers will complete and upload the standard documentation required by food hubs in order to access more stringent food safety markets. Participants will receive two years of access to Heavy Connect, a platform that supports food safety practices, verification, and traceability, along with a $2,500 annual stipend (for up to two years) upon completion of required documentation.
Moving forward, this documentation will be required to sell in most markets through Foodshed. Food Hub Ready is designed to compensate farmers in order to make that transition achievable.
For the first year of participation, the first $1000 will be awarded once we receive (via Heavy Connect):
Copy of a Certificate of Liability Insurance with Foodshed as an additional insured
W9
A signed copy of our Vendor Handbook
FSA ID # from the USDA (only required to receive incentive payments)
The remaining $1500 will be awarded when we receive:
A basic Food Safety Plan
Recent water testing results
Regenerative Verification
Access funding to implement regenerative practices that strengthen your soil and farm resilience!
Each farm can receive up to $10k per year, up to 2 years. Funding for this program available through August 2028.
Regenerative practices included are:
Compost
No till / reduced till (& equipment)
High Tunnels
Cover Crops
Labor is not covered under this grant
Food Safe
This isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of what we believe in. We’re here to create work that matters, led by a shared commitment to quality and care.