Grant Program

YQCA supports educational opportunities for youth involvement in agriculture-related activities and programs. The YQCA Youth Program Grant provides funding for projects and events that align with the mission of fostering youth engagement, education, and quality assurance in agriculture.

2026 YQCA Youth Program Grant

Eligibility

To be considered for this grant:

  • Organization must be U.S.-based
  • Organization may only submit one application per year
    • Separate organizations in the same county/region (e.g., 4-H and FFA) may each apply
    • Organizations that received funding in the previous year must wait one year before reapplying

Awards

A total of $20,000 will be awarded annually through individual grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. Award amounts will be determined based on project needs as described in the application.

Dates

The application will close July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. The application deadline is final, and no extensions will be provided. The system will automatically prevent application submission after the deadline. Please note technical assistance will not be available after 5:00 p.m. CST on the day of the deadline.

Funding will be available in November 2026. Funded projects should be completed within one year of receiving funds.

Apply now!

To access the application, you will need to create an account in the grant platform.

YQCA Youth Program Grants are intended for youth in the age range of a high school senior to 21 years of age, parents, educators, livestock fair and show contacts, and industry partners. Creating a grant account does not automatically create or sign a user up for a YQCA Program account.

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APPLICATION

YQCA Grant Recipients

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 YQCA Youth Ag Program Grant Recipients:

  • The American Dairy Goat Association of North Carolina was awarded $750.
  • Cumberland County 4-H Board of Trustees of Illinois received $750.
  • Iowa State Extension and Buchanan County of Iowa received $2,000.
  • ISU- Jefferson County of Iowa was awarded $1,000.
  • The National Junior Angus Association of Missouri was granted $4,000.
  • North Carolina State University of North Carolina received $2,900.
  • Peabody FFA of Tennessee was awarded $1,500.
  • Red River Parish 4-H Club of Louisiana received $1,500.
  • Santan 4-H Club of Arizona was awarded $2,500.
  • South Huntingdon County FFA of Pennsylvania was granted $1,100.
  • UI Extension Clark, Crawford, Edgar Co. was granted $1,500.

In its inaugural year, a total of 86 grant applications underwent an in-depth judging process. Eligible projects include hands-on youth workshops offering YQCA certification, livestock judging clinics, biosecurity or food safety training, and the development of youth agriculture education curriculum or resources. Funding may be used for supplies, event materials, AV needs, participant resources, marketing, and other approved expenses that directly support youth learning. Junior breed associations, state species organizations, and local, county, state, or national livestock show organizations were encouraged to apply.