Financing

Farms and ranches are businesses, and at some point, most farm businesses require more cash than the farm operator has on hand. Farmers may need financing to access land; to purchase equipment, seeds, and other materials; or to expand their farming operation.

The topic of financing is intimately connected to setting goals for a farm enterprise, writing a business plan, keeping records, and establishing access to land, and therefore must be considered alongside these other topics.

There are traditional lending options available to farmers, as well as a variety of other financing possibilities including grants, USDA programs, and other lending programs. This section includes practical ATTRA resources that will help you understand and access financing options.