How To Start A Farm: Beginning Farmers And Ranchers

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How to Start a Farm: Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

New to farming? Want to learn how to start a farm? USDA offers dedicated help to beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA considers anyone who has operated a farm or ranch for less than ten years to be a beginning farmer or rancher.

USDA can help you get started or grow your operation through a variety of programs and services, from farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance.

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On This Page

How to Start a Farm Operation Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators Additional Resources Webinars for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

How to Start a Farm Operation

Plan Your Farm Operation

1. Start here! Think about your operation from the ground up and start planning for your business.

Plan your farm

Visit Your Service Center

2. Get in touch with your local Service Center to find programs to support your operation.

Visit A Service Center

Fund Your Farm Operation

3. USDA has spent decades helping new producers find land and money for their businesses.

Fund your farm

Build Your Business

4. Lean on USDA to help you build your operation with sound business and financial knowledge.

Build your Business

Sell Your Farm Products

5. Explore everything about producing, marketing and actually selling your final product.

Sell your products

Maintain Your Farm

6. Take care of your farm operation, and it will take care of you. USDA can help.

Maintain your farm

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators are USDA team members in each state who can help you understand the USDA process and find the right assistance as you are starting out. They can also connect you with organizations that specifically serve beginning farmers and ranchers. Reach out to your state's coordinator with the following information about your operation:

• Location: County or parish
• Type of operation: Livestock, row crop, fruit, vegetable, etc.
• Land: Own, lease, or plan to purchase or lease

Find a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator in Your State

Additional Resources

Fact Sheet for Beginning Farmers

Learn how to get started with USDA, how to prepare for your visit to your local USDA service center, and what you can expect during your visit.

Loan Assistance Tool

Learn about the farm loans that might be right for you, check your eligibility, and get instructional help with the application forms.

Beginning Farmers Blog Posts

Read success stories from other beginning farmers and their experiences working with USDA as well as Q&As with USDA staff.

USDA Small and Midsized Farmer Resources

View USDA resources and program information for small and midsized-producers.

Find Your Local Service Center

User our service center locator to find USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Services office near you.

Webinars for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Building Your Bench

Remote video URL

Download the presentation files:

• Building Your Bench Part 1
• Building Your Bench Part 2
• Building Your Bench Part 3
• Building Your Bench Part 4

Back to Basics and Working with USDA for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Remote video URL

Download the presentation file:

• Back to Basics and Working with USDA for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers slides

USDA Hurricane Recovery Options for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Remote video URL

Download the presentation files:

• Crop Insurance and Disasters
• Disaster Recovery Resources for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
• Farm Loan Programs Recovery Tools
• Rural Development Disaster Recovery Programs

USDA Funding Programs and Grant Opportunities for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Remote video URL

Download the presentation files:

• Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Grant Opportunities
• Basics of Crop Insurance
• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP)
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs for New Farmers
• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs
• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
• Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
• Value-Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG)

Beginning Farmers Blog Posts

Previous Ag Business

Ask the Expert: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Q&A with Lindsey Abentroth

Amanda Robertson, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Regional Coordinator, USDA Farm Service Agency • Sep 13, 2023 Ag Business

Ask the Expert: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Q&A with Sarah Campbell

Sarah Campbell, National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program Coordinator • Apr 24, 2020 Conservation

Fridays on the Farm: From Veteran to Beginning Farmer

Chesley Comstock, Oklahoma State University • Feb 10, 2023 Loans and Grants

USDA’s Support for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Sarah Campbell, USDA National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator • Oct 28, 2020 Next

Find Your Local Service Center

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USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices.

Learn more about our Urban Service Centers.Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office or to find an insurance agent near you.

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