Beginning Farmer and Rancher Resources
Kansas Rural Center’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program features instruction on business formation and management, record-keeping, access to land and capital, state and federal farm assistance programs, and many more topics.
KRC Hosted a Beginning Farmer and Rancher virtual conference on March 4, 2022. Please click the button below to view recordings of sessions on land and capital access, marketing, farmer mental health, and more!
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Working within Excel or Google Docs spreadsheets may be the best free or standard recordkeeping tools available to most beginning farmers. Below are several additional subscription-based tools that may be helpful as your farm becomes more complex.
Subscription accounting software designed for small businesses and farms.
Subscription accounting software designed for farmers, provides funding opportunities and assists in filling out IRS Schedule F.
Subscription accounting software designed for small businesses.
Industry standard accounting software, not really built for farming but is familiar to accounting professionals, etc.
Free accounting software designed for small businesses, with paid subscription upgrades.
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Use AgPlan’s business templates, editor, tips, examples, and reviewers to create a perfect business plan.
FINBIN is one of the largest and most accessible sources of farm financial and production benchmark information in the world. FINBIN places detailed reports on whole farm, crop, and livestock financials at your fingertips.
Farm Answers is the USDA-NIFA beginning farmer and rancher (BFRDP) clearinghouse, providing resources to help you get started farming, as well as tools to help more seasoned producers succeed.
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Building local food systems is one of the most direct, powerful ways to begin addressing critical challenges of our time—climate change, health, community resilience. Since 2010, over $79 million has been invested in 806 organic farms and food enterprises, via dozens of local Slow Money groups around the country (and a few abroad).
USDA Value-Added Producer Grants Kansas
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.
Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
FSFL is an excellent financing program for on-farm storage and handling for small and mid-sized farms, and for new farmers. Loan terms vary from 3 to 12 years. The maximum loan amount for storage facilities is $500,000. The maximum loan amount for storage and handling trucks is $100,000. In 2016 FSA introduced a new loan category, the microloan, for loans with an aggregate balance up to $50,000. Microloans offer a 5 percent down payment requirement, compared to a 15 percent down payment for a regular FSFL, and waive the regular three-year production history requirement.
North Central SARE strengthens communities, increases producers' profitability, and improves the environment through grants and education.
Farm Service Loans - Guidebook
AgLoan - Young and Beginning Farmer Loans
American AgCredit finances all segments of agriculture. We offer targeted loan programs and other specialized financing options to support the next generation of agriculture.
Created to serve the credit needs of young, beginning, and small producers, our YBS program provides alternate financing and guarantee options for farmers and ranchers who may not qualify under our normal lending requirements.
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Over twenty Kansas collaborators have worked to add Kansas to the MCCC’s Cover Crop Selection Tool which is now available to the public. Many cover crop field days and meetings occur throughout the state with cooperation between Kansas State University Research and Extension, the Kansas NRCS, county Conservation Districts, and non-profit organizations such as the Kansas Alliance of Wetlands and Streams.
Cover Crop Decision Support Tools
Success Stories and video including crops, livestock, forest, soil health, water quality and wildlife.
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See KRC’s Community Calendar for all events aimed at the success of beginning farmers and ranchers.
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Farm Commons provides legal workshops, timely resources, and a community for farmers, ranchers, and their service providers. Welcome to your home for farm law!
This one-of-a-kind resource is packed with instructions, tips, and tools for setting up and managing a farm’s financial system. It includes real-life examples from successful farmers and sample data to show how forms and records should look.
The Legal Food Hub is a free service that connects eligible farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food-related organizations to volunteer attorneys.
Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services is here to assist you with your agricultural questions. We have been providing Kansas producers with legal, financial and mediation services for over 25 years.
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At FarmTender, Our Mission Is To Connect Regenerative Farmers With Eco-Friendly Landowners.
Young Farmers: Finding Farmland Course
This free course includes articles, videos, podcasts, activities, and resources, and was created in partnership with a nationwide network of farmland access organizations.
The Finding Farmland Calculator is a unique mortgage calculator designed to teach farmers about their financing options and creditworthiness when buying farmland. Build one or more purchase scenarios, then compare the total costs, monthly payments, and your scores on several financial ratios. Download the results to have on hand when meeting with a loan officer.
Farmland Access Legal Toolkit
This toolkit explains legal arrangements that provide farmers more affordable and equitable farmland access and help landowners balance earning income for retirement with making their land affordable to the next generation of farmers, and makes useful information available to farmer and landowner advocates.
Land for Good Build-a-Lease Tool
This tool was designed with New England farmers and landowners in mind and based on our work with them and other service providers. That doesn’t mean it isn’t useful elsewhere, but some language and clauses might be different in other regions.
This is an educational tool. It is not intended to produce a legal document or to replace legal advice from an attorney. You can use this Tool to learn about farm leasing without filling in the template.
Agrarian Trust Faithlands Toolkit
The FaithLands Toolkit serves as a guide to support faith communities in considering their respective spiritual traditions and linking those core values and beliefs to the land. Through case studies and thoughtful conversation, it offers ways to join a growing number of faith traditions in the production of food, the support of basic human needs, and the building of resilient communities, while also promoting equity and justice through the land.
FCS Financial - LandLINK - Farm to Land Connection
LandLINK connects young and beginning farmers who want to expand or begin farming with those landowners who want to sell or lease their land but are looking for the “right” person.
Frontline to Farm - Training and Modules
Frontline to Farm, a program sponsored by Appalachian State University’s Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development and Department of Communication, helps military Veterans and beginning farmers get started in sustainable farming as a livelihood. We support practices that raise healthy food, mitigate climate change and build community, while providing support and reconnection for those who have served.
Heirs' Property Landowners
Have you inherited land without a clear title or documented legal ownership? USDA can help you establish a farm number to gain access to a variety of programs and services.
Farmland Trust: Multimedia Resources
Our Land Access Multi-Media Resources are a growing compilation of presentations, readings, and conversations with national leaders on the complexities of and solutions to land access for a new generation.
Farmland Trust: Land Access Resources
AFT's Farmland Information Center has compiled step by step resources for farmers and ranchers looking for land. From getting started to purchasing land, we provide information, checklists, worksheets, and contacts to support you along the way.
Find A Farmer was created by Practical Farmers of Iowa to help maintain family farms and vibrant rural communities by facilitating the transfer of land from one generation to the next
Young Farmers: Finding Farmland
A Farmer’s Guide to Working with Land Trusts is written for farmers, land trust staff, and farmer service providers. The guide gives an introduction to land trusts, explains how these groups can be powerful partners in a farmer’s search for affordable farmland, and provides detailed information about the process of working with a land trust.
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MOSES: Farmer-to-Farmer Mentor Program
The mentorship program empowers organic farmers through one-on-one guidance as they grow their business, seek organic certification, add farm enterprises, hone production skills, balance farm and family, and more.
Growing Growers ICT - Wichita Area
The Growing Growers Learning Network is for aspiring fruit and vegetable producers who desire a personalized coaching experience to learn foundational concepts and connect to the local grower community, helping them develop profitable farms and effective garden projects.
Growing Growers - Kansas City Area
Established in 2004, the Growing Growers apprenticeship program provides hands-on experience combined with reading, classes, and training that will give you the basics you need to get started farming.
Young Farmers Coalition of Central Kansas
Formed in 2019, the Central Kansas Young Farmers Coalition seeks to connect with and support young and beginning farmers in our region. We strive to create community, learn from one another, and build each other up; benefiting us both individually and collectively as people with a shared vision for a healthier Kansas.
People’s Century Farm - Douglas County
To begin instituting equity for BIPOC producers locally, the Peoples’ Century Farm will employ 16 BIPOC food systems workers who are specialists across the fields of vegetable production, orchard work, animal husbandry, and food system logistics. The food systems workers will provide produce and prepared foods to local communities that are currently surviving food apartheid. This will be done in collaboration with mutual aid organizations and nonprofits.
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Agritourism Best Practices Guide
Demystifying the Wholesale Market
Check out this guide from Growing Growers for education and resources on wholesale markets in Kansas. Growing Growers also produced a video series on YouTube: Demystifying Wholesale.Farm to Grocery Best Practices
Locally grown items are in high demand in grocery aisles, and rural grocers are often looking to provide
new offerings. Why not make the connection between the farm and the local grocery store? This fact sheet offers several considerations and recommendations for partnering with rural grocery stores to sell locally produced food.Guide to Starting a Kansas Farmer’s Market
The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. This checklist will help guide you through various resources and requirements for opening and operating a typical Kansas farmers’ market. This guide is designed to assist you as you work to build and operate a successful farmers’ market in Kansas.
From the Land of Kansas: Farmer’s Market Resource List
Kansas Department of Agriculture: Licensing Guides
Kansas Department of Agriculture Licensing Guides have been created to identify some of the licensing, permitting requirements required by agencies involved in opening and operating Kansas businesses. In addition to licenses required by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, local or federal government agencies may have additional regulations to follow when starting your business. Contact your local planning authority to ensure you follow all local business development laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
Kansas Department of Agriculture: Grant Opportunities
The Kansas Department of Agriculture works diligently to identify and promote grants, cost share opportunities and other programs that can aid and assist Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.
Kansas Department of Agriculture: Farmers' Markets and Direct-to-Consumer Outlets
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The Kansas AgrAbility Project's primary purpose is to directly assist Kansas farmers/ranchers, their employees, and family members who have become injured, have a health condition, or a disability to remain actively engaged in production agriculture for as long as they choose.
Podcast: ATTRA Ep 236 Programs Focus on Farmer Well-Being
In this episode of Voices from the Field, Margo Hale, NCAT’s Southeast Regional Director and Director of NCAT’s Armed to Farm Program, visits with NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist and farmer veteran Mike Lewis. Mike and his family operate a diversified farm in Southeast Kentucky.
Video: Farm Stress and Emotional Well Being
Unpredictable weather, heavy workloads and financial worries can sometimes take their toll on farm families and lead to mental and emotional distress, substance abuse, anxiety, depression and even suicide. Caring for their own health and wellness is often overlooked, but is just as critical as caring for their farm business. Farmers, agricultural agencies and health professionals offer guidance and resources to help cope with farm stress.
ATTRA: Farm Stress and Emotional Well-Being Pt 1
This is part one of a two-part guide that briefly describes some of the issues contributing to the challenges of farming and provides helpful strategies and resources to aid farmers in building and maintaining the resilience needed to be successful. It was developed to be used by anyone who lives or works in the world of farming. This publication addresses reducing and managing stress, risk factors, emotions, and spirituality.
ATTRA: Farm Stress and Emotional Well-Being Pt 2
This is the second part of a two-part guide that briefly describes some of the issues contributing to the challenges of farming and provides helpful strategies and resources to aid farmers in building and maintaining the resilience needed to be successful. It was developed to be used by anyone who lives or works in the world of farming. This publication addresses substance-use disorder, family relationships, suicide, and therapy.
Many in agriculture know someone whose life has been affected by a farm-related injury or death. The statistics are sobering. Even more tragic is that these incidents could have been prevented with a few simple safety precautions. That's why the Progressive Agriculture Foundation® is on a crusade to bring safety and health information to the farming communities who desperately need it.
It is up to the farmers who invite visitors onto their farms to ensure the safety and health of their visitors. Implementing appropriate safety strategies can help reduce visitor injuries and illnesses, potentially reducing liability. This website provides the tools and resources farmers need to help keep their visitors safe. Use these walkthroughs, checklists and resources to implement safety best practices. It’s easy and fun.
Resources compiled on this website can help care for and assist Kansas farmers and ranchers in their well-being. You'll find help with stress management, financial and legal challenges, and many other needs. As more tools are developed, this website will be updated and serve as a hub of current information and resources.
Farm Stress: You're Not Alone Video
Unpredictable weather, heavy workloads and financial worries can sometimes take their toll on farm families and lead to mental and emotional distress, substance abuse, anxiety, depression and even suicide. Caring for their own health and wellness is often overlooked, but is just as critical as caring for their farm business. Farmers, agricultural agencies and health professionals offer guidance and resources to help cope with farm stress.
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Kanas Specialty Crop Growers Association
KSCGA is a 501(c)(5) organization working to advance specialty crops—and specialty crop growers—in the state of Kansas. KSCGA is focused on expanding and supporting a network of growers equipped with the resources, education, and mentoring necessary to increase production, visibility, market reach, and profitability.
USDA: Conservation at Work Video Series
Learn about the benefits of conservation practices directly from the farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners applying them with our new 90-second video series. Explore the different types of conservation practices and pick a video to watch below.
New to farming? Want to learn how to start a farm? USDA can help and offers additional assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA considers anyone who has operated a farm or ranch for less than ten years to be a beginning farmer or rancher. USDA can help you get started or grow your operation through a variety of programs and services, from farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance.
USDA: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators
Kansas - Allen Pickert
allen.pickert@usda.gov
785-271-2701
This work is supported by Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant no. 1027549 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.