Build a solid foundation of success
If you lack capital, credit history, or a steady income, starting a farm operation seems impossible. Whether you’re looking to purchase land, equipment or just seed and fertilizer, our young, beginning, small, and minority farmer loan program is designed to help you access credit and build a solid foundation of success in three simple steps.
Step 1. Access to Credit
Credit is one of your greatest challenges as a beginning farmer, that’s why we offer loan programs with:
- Low interest term and operating loans
- Low interest Best Management Practice (BMP) Loans
- FSA or other Government Agency Loan Guarantee Fee Reimbursement
- Farmland Financing – Conservation easement
Step 2. Deepen your Roots
When you lack the experiences that build your foundation, making connections with industry leaders and mentors will be crucial to your success. With over 100 years of serving rural communities, we have industry and commodity expertise to help you grow pretty much anything.
We also work closely with industry organizations and universities to help you network and keep up to date on research and trends - scroll all the way down to request your FREE digital Beginning Farmers Resource Kit!
Up and coming farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region are eligible to receive funding and connections through our Farmers on the Rise award program.
Step 3. Understand your Farm Financials
You’ve already committed to the idea of wearing several hats as a farmer, now you need to build your skills to be good at wearing those hats. In addition to promoting and sponsoring local workshops and training across our territory, our AgBiz Masters program is a two-year interactive educational learning series that will help you master everything from strategic business planning to cash flow projection.
Hint: Start learning more today and request your beginning farmer resource kit below!
The AgBiz Masters Program teaches you skills like:
- Megatrends
- Strategic Business Planning
- Preparing for Your Lender
- Balance Sheets
- Income Statement
- Cash Flow Projection
- Farm Business Management
- Growth and Transition Management
- Communication
- Leadership
Educational and Networking Opportunities
Learning sound business concepts has never been more important, especially for today’s young and beginning farmers. AgBiz Masters is an interactive learning series designed specifically for young and beginning farmers interested in honing their business and financial management skills. It is a two-year series where participants enroll in one year of the program at a time. Learn more about the program here.
We recently launched a Facebook group for like-minded young, beginning, small, veteran, and minority farmers, in addition to industry partners in the Mid-Atlantic region to collaborate and share ideas and success stories. Join the Young, Beginning, Small Farmers of the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Helping the Next Generation, No Matter What.
You are a steward of the land. Whether it’s livestock or grain, we support farms both large and small, including those that:
- Sell locally
- Grow organically
- Provide food for urban communities
- Practice sustainable farming methods.
It’s your farm. Grow it how you want to.
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