Agriculture and farming are a significant part of the US economy, but getting into this industry isn’t easy. Launching a farm and running it takes experience, expertise, and upfront investment.
The good news is that American farmers have some helpful financing options. And they are taking advantage of this opportunity, as made evident by the fact that US farm sector debt is expected to grow to a record $467 billion this year.
Careful use of this funding can set your farm up for long-term success. You could easily use it to buy more land, get machinery or fund the day-to-day operations of your farm.
Let’s explore these options in further detail:
Financing Options For Farmers
Small-scale farmers often face issues with adopting new technologies due to financial problems. Moreover, there is a never-ending need for plant material, fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, etc. Without these, smallholder farmers may not be able to achieve agricultural productivity and profitability.
Unsecured loans can help relieve this need for cash flow. These include:
Loans For Operation
An operating loan is used to purchase animals, seeds, and equipment or pay day-to-day expenditures and family living expenses while a farm is being set up.
Loans For Farm Ownership
Farm Ownership Loans help you buy or grow your farm or ranch. This loan can cover closing costs; develop or improve agricultural structures, or assist in maintaining and protecting soil and water resources.
Microloans
Operating or Farm Ownership Loans are sort of like a microloan. It’s easier to get them thanks to fewer requirements and less paperwork, and they’re meant to address the needs of small and starting farmers and non-traditional and specialty enterprises.
Loans For Youth
Youth Loans are a sort of operating loan designed to help young people aged 10 to 20 with educational agriculture projects. These youngsters are usually members of 4-H clubs, FFA, or comparable groups.
Loans for Native Americans
Native American Tribal Loans assist tribal communities in acquiring land within a reservation or Alaskan native community, and advancing current farming operations. These financial opportunities are only meant for Native American communities, helping them increase agricultural productivity and preserve cultural farmland for future generations.
Emergency Loans
Drought, flooding, and other natural catastrophes or losses cause farmers to lose output and physical assets. Emergency loans can help them recover.
Loan Funding with a Purpose
Minority and Women Farmers and ranchers are eligible for a share of FSA loan money to purchase and run a farm or ranch.
Loans For Renewable Projects
Asset finance may be used to assist buy equipment like anaerobic digesters. It operates by obtaining a loan against current agricultural assets, allowing cash to be released for reinvestment. An unsecured loan might be used to fund solar panels if you need money quickly. Another way to support renewable energy projects is through asset refinancing.
What Are The Different Financing Options For Farms?
If you want to ensure that you can continue to fulfill customer demand but can’t keep up with sales, it’s time to explore a loan or finance to allow for the rapid growth of the profitable components of your farm.
Sure, it’s always a good idea to reinvest what you earn, but sometimes it isn’t enough to keep up with growth. That’s when it’s time to look into farm loans to help you expand your farm’s capabilities. These financing options vary depending on the size of your farm and can be availed even if you have a less-than-perfect credit score, less-than-usual down payment, and limited farming experience.
See if any of the following options meet your needs:
Investors
You may be able to recruit investors to support the startup or development of your farm, depending on your location and farm ambitions. Many Community-Supported Agriculture producers have employed the technique of soliciting funds from their members to obtain land or develop additional facilities, generally in the form of farm goods with payback plus interest.
It helps if you have a comprehensive business plan to present to prospective lenders. Also, consult with legal and tax professionals about the ramifications for your farm, crunch the figures, and prepare a business plan to see whether this is a viable approach for you.
To discover more about the potential for your farm, look for “local investment opportunity networks” and “small farm angel investors” on the internet.
Commercial Banks
Most banks have a commercial lending department that deals with business loans, but some have a dedicated agricultural lending department ready to help farmers. See if your bank offers agriculture loans and if they have a Farm Service Agency or Small Business Administration guarantee.
Small Business Loans Fund
Some county governments provide micro-enterprise loan programs that can be utilized to support agricultural activities and have competitive interest rates and payback conditions. Check with your county’s Planning and Economic Development Agency/Department to see if there are any micro-enterprise loan monies available.
Using Your Equity Funds
While many banks would not lend money to an individual who wants to buy a herd of goats, practically all banks provide home equity loans and other personal loans that you may use to fund your agricultural venture. Be careful to double-check the pricing and conditions. Home equity and personal loans may have higher interest rates than those mentioned above.
For new farmers, navigating financial problems is just one of many obstacles to overcome, but it is one of the biggest hurdles to their success. Several resources are available, but finding them and understanding which ones are appropriate in each scenario takes some research. Just make sure you’re working with someone who knows what you’re up to.
Agriculture is a unique sector requiring knowledge of production cycles and possible threats. Include a risk management plan in your business plan to demonstrate to the lender that you’ve addressed the possibility that something won’t go as planned. Make sure you have done your homework and know what you are getting into. This is where you need United Farm Mortgage for all your farm land financing-related queries.
References:
- https://extension.psu.edu/financing-your-farm-business-or-enterprise
- https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/index
- https://www.fundingoptions.com/knowledge/farm-loans-agricultural-finance
- https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/guide/guide-to-farming/financing-a-farm-operation