Getting Money to Start a Small Farm in the USA?

1. 70

   tritrainposted 13 years ago

   Anyone have any suggestions for getting startup money to buy land/residence?
   
   Are there any sources of small business venture capitalists that you could recommend?
   
   I've figured out the middle part (selling the food source, etc), but not the beginning part.  I'm stuck right now.

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   1. 59

      webguyonlineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      you can try getting cash advance or payday loans as your capital for your business. hope that helps. :-)

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   2. 70

      Hugh Williamsonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Your funding source will want to know what your experience is in whatever type of farming you will be doing. Your assets will have to guarantee at least part of any loan, in most cases.
      
      If you're looking at a high investment type of farming, like dairy or grain farming, you'll probably need to team up with someone with practical experience. Taking on a financial partner is another source of capital, a good one if that person understands the business.
      
      Depending on your financial situation, you can also rent whatever facilities you need and finance the venture yourself.
      
      If you lack capital, an ag education, and/or practical experience, then getting conventional financing is going to be a challenge.
      
      If you're committed, you'll find a way. Good luck.

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2. 64

   SandyMcCollumposted 13 years ago

   The govt. is giving out grants right now for small businesses, I'd check there.

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3. 82

   kerrygposted 13 years ago

   There are a number of organizations trying to help beginning farmers get started. The Center for Rural Affairs has an overview of some of the various resources out there:
   
   http://www.cfra.org/resources/beginning_farmer
   
   Here's another: http://beginningfarmers.org/funding-resources/
   
   Also try Googling "[your state] beginning farmers" and see if you have a state organization. Many areas now do.
   
   Another option is something like SPIN farming, which focuses on making a good living with intensive agriculture on very small plots of land, and might be easier to start out with than something that requires more upfront investment.

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