Start a Farm

Agriculture is full of exciting and rewarding opportunities. "Two of the biggest challenges facing new farmers and ranchers are access to land and access to capital. Capital needs range from buying the farm itself to financing your business. USDA and its partners have many tools that you can use when taking these first key steps."

Presents information, data, trends, and links to related reports on beginning and disadvantaged farmers, including age distribution, household income, farm size, and farm location.

Find information about legal and regulatory considerations as well as general background for those starting a farm or ranch business.

This overview of beginning farm and ranch operations includes information on crops raised, income sources, challenges to capital and land acquisition, and government support programs, 

"New farmers considering adopting an enterprise need to view these enterprises as new businesses." This factsheet summarizes the steps for planning and starting a farm.

General information about farm leases and farm management, new farmer loan programs, beginning farmer training programs, mentoring programs for beginning farmers and more specific information about developing agricultural business and marketing plans. Predominantly from Iowa, but additional resources from the upper Midwestern U.S. and Canada also included.

Farm Answers features a library of how-to resources and guidance, a directory of beginning farmer training programs, toolboxes to help you address your biggest challenges when starting a farm, and news, blog, podcasts and other sources of current information in agriculture.

Iowa resources for new farmers looking for support, land, training and contacts.

Presents information and ideas for "new, experienced, and potential farmers interested in the development of new farm enterprises." Covers sustainable practices, organic farming, small farm issues, direct marketing, and building local food systems.

The network supports programs that foster the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Site includes information and state contacts for "Land Link" programs - programs that match retiring farmers/land with new farmers seeking land and support.