Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Farm Financing Options Guide
A guide to the main ways to finance a farm start-up or expansion. It explains how to compare lenders, programs, and personal funds before applying.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
The steps on this page
- List what you need to finance
- Gather personal and farm financial records
- Check FSA loan programs
- Ask Farm Credit and local banks
- Look at SBA small business options
- Compare terms and total cost
- Ask about required collateral
- Prepare questions for each lender
How to use this guide
Walk a new hand through the steps once, then let them use the page on their own. Add your own notes as you learn what works.
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 Farmers.gov Loans and Farm Credit.
For more in this area, see the farm loans, grants and taxes. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Jesus Was Born on a Dairy Farm, and agribusiness farm stories.