CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Limited access to capital is one of the biggest challenges facing beginning farmers. New farmers need money to invest and grow their farming businesses, but often lack enough credit history to qualify for loans through traditional commercial lenders. Access to capital is even more problematic for specialty crop farmers, whose business models do not fit many commercial lenders’ requirements.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA), a division of USDA, recognizes these challenges and has created programs to help beginning and specialty crop farmers access the capital they need to invest in their businesses and mitigate their production risks. To help farmers learn about these programs, FSA has contracted The Land Connection, a Champaign-based non-profit, to develop a guide of FSA programs for beginning and specialty crop farmers, Lender of First Opportunity.
On February 11, The Land Connection and FSA will host a half-day workshop, Money to Grow: FSA Programs for Beginning Farmers, exploring the loan, conservation, and disaster assistance programs offered through FSA and the ways beginning farmers can take full advantage of these programs. FSA programs can help farmers pay for annual operating costs, purchase real-estate, install produce storage coolers, support pollinators on their properties, and recover from natural disasters, just to name a few.
Participants in the workshop will see presentations outlining important programs, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. After learning about the programs, participants will have the opportunity to meet with FSA officers in small groups to deeply explore three key programs: Microloan, Farm Storage Facility Loan, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Participants in the workshop will receive a complimentary printed copy of the new FSA guide written by The Land Connection. The guide will also be available for free download from The Land Connection’s website on February 13.
Registration costs $20 and includes refreshments and a printed copy of the guide. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. For more information and to register: http://thelandconnection.org/farmers/field-days-and-workshops/money-grow-fsa-programs-beginning-farmers.
Times, dates, and locations:
- February 11, 1:15pm-4:30pm, Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, Champaign, IL
About The Land Connection:
The Land Connection is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting farmland, training sustainable and organic farmers, and promoting a vibrant local food system.
— The Land Connection
For more news from Illinois, click here.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
BISMARK, N.D. — Agricultural operations in North Dakota have been significantly impacted by a recent blizzard and major spring snowstorms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses […]
LINCOLN, Neb. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help Nebraska farmers and livestock producers across the state recover from recent wildfires and ongoing drought. Producers impacted by these events should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to […]
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa agricultural operations in Adair, Benton, Decatur, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Polk, Tama, Warren and Wayne counties have been significantly impacted by recent tornadoes and severe storms that occurred in early March 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. “Production agriculture […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Recent extreme weather conditions have impacted farmers and ranchers in New York. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), has disaster assistance programs available to help agricultural producers recover after natural disasters, including floods. “FSA offers a variety of disaster assistance programs to support farmers through times […]
