Although limited, financial support for small farms and farm-related businesses is available from a variety of Federal, state and local agencies and from non-governmental organizations. Start your search here.
Grants and Loans for Farmers
Small Farm Funding Resources GuideWatch this short video tutorial to learn more about funding sources for farmers and ranchers. The video is a companion to the Small Farm Funding Resources publication that covers tools to develop a business plan, write a grant proposal, locate funding and assistance programs and more.
Where Can I Find Agricultural Funding Resources?USDA. NAL. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.
Describes programs and resource guides that serve as starting points for identifying funding opportunities.
Start2FarmUSDA. National Agricultural Library. American Farm Bureau Federation.
Developed to assist beginning farmers or ranchers or those who have less than 10 years experience, Start2Farm includes programs and resources from federal and state agencies, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations including grassroots organizations. Find funding resources for loans, grants and other financing or locate funding available through the USDA and other agencies.
Grassroots Guide to Federal Farm and Food ProgramsNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
This guide identifies Federal programs and policies related to sustainable agriculture and describes how they can be used by U.S. farmers, ranchers, and grassroots organizations. Program areas include: Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Conservation and Environment, Credit and Crop Insurance, Food Safety, Local and Regional Food Systems, Organic Production, Renewable Energy, Rural Development, and Sustainable and Organic Research,
U.S. Farm Bill Resources and Programs for Beginning FarmersFor the first time ever, substantial resources were dedicated to beginning farmer and rancher initiatives in the 2008 Farm Bill. This article in Choices provides an overview of the status of different programs, and focuses on the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
Farm Loan ProgramsUSDA. Farm Service Agency.
"FSA makes direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank, Farm Credit System institution, or other lender." Includes link to the Service Center Locator.
Rural Development: About UsUSDA. Rural Development.
USDA's Rural Development helps rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain financial and technical assistance. Site includes information about loans and grants, notices about available funds and a database of homes for sale.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education: Grant InformationUSDA. National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
Farmers and ranchers can apply for SARE research grants that typically run between $500 and $15,000.
Funding OpportunitiesNational Center for Appropriate Technology. ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
A calendar of organic farming and sustainable agriculture funding and grant opportunities. Browse the list or search by keyword.
