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How to Start Farming: The What, Why, How & Wow  

Resources for New Farmers

• Land Link
  The Center for Rural Affairs links beginning farmers and ranchers and established landowners to help secure the future of American family farms + an extensive list of other linking programs including breakdown by state.

• Free Farm Business Planning Guide
  The Sustainable Agriculture Research & Agriculture (SARE) provides a digital version of its "Building A Sustainable Business" for farms and rural businesses for free. This downloadable 289-page pdf guides you through marketing, operations, human resources and financing with worksheets and examples in order to develop a lender-ready business plan.

• **NEW** USDA's Website for New Farmers
  The USDA's one-stop resource for its programs and services for how to start farming and to support beginning farmers including education technical assistance, financing opportunities and more.

• Farm Business Planning Resources & Templates
  Georgia Organics' collection of farm business planning resources includes free access to business plan and budget templates, assessment tools and sample proposals. Also addresses topics regarding pricing, sales tax, insurance, labor and leasing land.
  Mavenjoy Best Practice Pick: Georgia Organics Mentoring Program pairs newer farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic production systems with experienced farmer mentors for up to 25 hours of mentor support, travel stipend, and scholarships to their annual conference and workshops throughout the year. Mentees also receive direct support from Georgia Organics' Farmer Services Coordinator.

• **NEW** Farmer Training
  New Entry's Sustainable Farming Project (NESFP) assist new and prospective farmers learn what it takes to operate your own farm -- from the basics to a comprehensive incubator program. 

• InVenture, formerly AICC Business Planner
  Purdue University's Agricultural Innovation and Commercialization Center (AICC) provides an interactive online business planner and tutorial to guide you in completing a fully customized business plan for your farm venture.

• Farm Land Clearinghouse
  Seek, find and post available farmland in the Midwest. Submit a simple form and your information is posted and circulated via various farm related networks to match up those seeking farm land with those offering farm land.

Farm Grants, Loans & Funding for Startups

• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans
  The USDA and FSA's program to provide loans and loan guarantees to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtaining financing from commercial lenders.

•  Microloans for Farmers
  Start-up and operating loans for beginning, niche, family and small farms via a simplified application process. Loan Maximum: $35,000.

• Aggie Bond Beginning Farmer Loan Programs
  A federal-state partnership that allows private lenders to receive federal and/or state tax-exempt interest on loans made to beginning farmers. The savings is passed on to farmers via loans with below market interest rates. Generally, interest rates to eligible first time farmers may average 1-3 percent lower than commercial farm loan rates. Currently over 15 states have active aggie bond programs.

• Farm Incubators
  A number of farm incubator opportunities and resources are emerging to encourage new farmers, preserve farm land and promote sustainable food systems. Farm incubator programs may provide access to land, equipment and training. 
  Mavenjoy Best Practice Pick:  Viva Farms is a farm incubator that helps new farmers get started with land, equipment, education, training and technical assistance (bilingual-Eng/Esp), marketing and start-up loans.

• **MORE** Farming Grants, Loans & Funding
  Our best picks for financing and funding your farm and other agricultural initiatives from both private and public sources.

• **MORE** Resources for Organic & Small Scale Farming
  Our collection of financing sources and resources specifically for small scale farming + organic farming grants, loans and more.

• **MORE** Farm Jobs, Internships & Training
  Check out our round-up of apprenticeships, internships, training and jobs in farming.

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