Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Beginning Farmer Record Keeping Guide
A record keeping guide for beginning farmers. It describes which records to keep, how to organize them, and how to prepare for tax time and lenders.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
The steps on this page
- Choose paper or digital records
- Set up folders by category
- Save receipts as you buy
- Track income by product
- Track expenses by type
- Keep animal and crop records
- Back up files regularly
- Review records monthly
- Ask your tax professional what to keep
How to use this guide
Read the steps once through before you start, then keep the page nearby while you work. Use the notes lines to add what your own setup needs.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with IRS and USDA.
For more in this area, see the farm money and loan guides. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Farm Yield Hits Record High; Farmer Sets Personal Record for Losing Money, and agribusiness farm stories.