Farms

Resources, ideas and strategies for new and diversifying farmers and those interested in the comeback of the family farm

Whether your family has been farming or ranching for generations or you're just beginning a farm career, the Center for Rural Affairs has resources to help you grow a successful farm business.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunities

New farmers and ranchers have unique needs. The Center for Rural Affairs offers resources and support to help beginning farmers and ranchers start successful farm careers.
 
Land Matching - Farm transfers between retiring farmers and a new generation of beginners are a great way to preserve family farms and help beginners break into farming and ranching.

Veteran Farmers Project

In the last 10 years, almost a million of our military’s servicemen and servicewomen have come from rural communities. As these veterans return home, they bring with them an opportunity to employ their passion, discipline, and sense of service to revitalize America’s small farms and rural communities. Learn more about our training and support programs for veteran farmers.

Women Farmers

The Center for Rural Affairs is partnering with Women, Food, and Agriculture Network (WFAN) to help aspiring and beginning women farmers turn their farming dreams into reality through training and mentorships with established women farmers. Learn more about upcoming opportunities for women farmers.

Farm Finances

Farms are businesses, and as with any business, sound financial planning is crucial to success. Considering your farm finances is especially important for beginners getting started and for landowners considering farm transfers.

High Value Markets

One key to having a viable small-scale farm is producing a high-value product. Customers will pay more for non-generic, non-commodity products that make are unique to your farm. These products return a higher profit to your farm business. 

Additional Farming Programs and Resources

Learn about additional resources available to help your farm grow and thrive.

Farms Notes

 

Improving the Use of USDA Programs Among Hispanic and Latino Farmers and Ranchers

Posted by Center for Rural Affairs Dec 12 2011 - 12:00am

Latino farmers and ranchers in our study states - Nebraska and Missouri - are very entrepreneurial. they seek ways to expand their farming and ranching operations, both in size and scope. But significant barriers exist for them to realize their ideas.

Some barriers are similar to those expressed by all beginning farmers and ranchers – a lack of resources such as land, capital, equipment and knowledge. Though Latino farmers and ranchers lack awareness of where to get assistance to address these barriers.

File attachments: 

Improving Use of USDA Programs among Hispanic and Latino Farmers and Ranchers

Conservation Stewardship Program Now Accepting Applications

By Traci Bruckner on May 2, 2013 - 4:05am

On May 1, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced farmers and ranchers can now apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). It rewards producers for conservation practices on their working farm or ranchland. When Congress finalized this year’s funding bill, they restored money they accidently cut off in the bill passed last October.

Conservation Stewardship Program Funding Fixed

By Traci Bruckner on March 27, 2013 - 12:00am

The Center for Rural Affairs Farm Bill Helpline is ready to assist farmers and ranchers to take advantage of one of the nation's best conservation programs.

Farmers and ranchers will again be able to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program. CSP rewards producers for conservation practices on working lands. Funding for enrollments was accidentally cut off in the government spending bill passed last October. Congress recently passed legislation to fix that right before their Easter recess.

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