RESOURCES

Tried and True – Farmer Vetted Results

There are many twists and turns to navigate on the road to becoming a successful farm-business owner, especially in the start-up years. Below is a list of resources compiled by folks who have nailed it, and failed it, navigating many of the same roads as you. Our hope is that others can avoid many of the pitfalls we have encountered along the way and feel more secure in decision-making while encountering the adventures of rural entrepreneurism.  

Financial Resources

• FSA - Operating and Ownership Loans
  By providing access to credit, FSA’s Farm Loan Programs offer opportunities to family-sized farmers and ranchers

• NRCS Cost Shares

• Iroquois Valley
  Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT is an organic farmland finance company that provides farmer-friendly leases and mortgages to the next generation of organic farmers

• Kiva Loans

• SMIF

• Compeers Emerging Markets Program

• RIverland Community College and Financial Assistance

Financial Tips, Tools, and Tricks

• 0% interest credit cards: Barclay US for Apple Products, Discover 18 mo.

• MN Beginning Farmers Tax Credit

• Maine Farmland Trust Tool

• Veggie Compass

• Quick Books Trainings

HELPFUL Books

• Farmers Office

• Fearless Farm Financials

CONFERENCES

• MOSES Conference

• Michigan Conference

• Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

• Wisconsin Organic Growers Conference

• Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference

• Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Conference

• Minnesota Organic Conference

technical grower assistance

• Attra

• Extension

• MOSA Mentorhsip Program

• Cornell Website (produce)

• Sustag List Serve

CONTINUED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

• Moses Field Days

• Land Stewardship Project Field Days

• Extension Field Days

APPRENTICESHIP/INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• MOFGA Apprentice Directory

• NOFA Apprentice Directories

• Attra

LEGAL RESOURCES

• Renewing the Countryside Technical Assistance Funding for Legal or other Assistance

• Farm Commons

• FLAG

• Food

Where to buy stuff?

• Implement Dealers List

• Seed Source List OG + Conv.

• How to get discounts

  • National Young Farmers Coalition

  • Journey Person Programs

List of Regional CPAs or Book Keepers