There are some state and federal loan programs specifically designed to help farmers transitioning to organic production. There are also private businesses and organizations offering grants and assistance. Some states are far more active in this area than others. There is also a wide range of funding programs for new farmers. We've collected links to information about funding and grant programs that seem to be stable and long lasting, but you may have to contact local agencies and nonprofits to get information about what's currently available in your local area.

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Finding Funding
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Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) OFRF is the premiere organic policy and research promotion organization in the country. They advocate for organic policy and research funding in...
Colorado Department of Agriculture's Beginning Farmer Loan Program
Kansas Organic Certification Cost-Share Progam Organic producers and handlers in Kansas are eligible to apply for reimbursement of organic certification costs.
Low-Interest Loans for Minnesota Organic and Sustainable Farmers This brief article describes the program and has contact information.
Marketing Grants and Cost Share Programs in Kentucky This page lists a variety of marketing and promotion grants available for producers in Kentucky.
Michigan Cost Share Application for Organic Handlers/Producers Both organic handlers and producers can apply for reimbursement for organic certification costs.
Programs Assisting Small Farmers, from the Missouri Department of Agriculture This web page hosts a collection of resources for small farmers, including a value-added grant program and loan guarantee program, a beginning...
Texas Organic Certification Cost Share Reimbursements Texas offers cost share reimbursements to organic producers and processors for a portion of the cost of organic certification.
Farm Loan Programs from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the USDA FSA makes direct and guaranteed farm ownership (FO) and operating loans (OL) to family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial...
Grant Writing Help for Farmers Dozens of articles providing information and advice on writing successful grants--particularly for the SARE on-farm research grants, but with broad...
National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs This web page outlines in detail the different types of farm loans available in states, including Aggie Bond Beginning Farmer Loan Programs,...
SARE On-Farm Research Grants for Farmers and Ranchers Farmers and ranchers can apply for on-farm research grants that typically range from $500 to $15,000. The web page gives examples of past farm...
Small Farm Funding Resources, from the Rural Information Center This great resource page includes resources not just on funding sources, but also on developing a farm business plan, on resources to help you with...
Where Can I Find Agricultural Funding Sources? A collection of resources from the National Agricultural Library.
A Loan Fund for Small Scale Farmers, Managed by NOFA-VT The Green Mountain Growers Revolving Loan Fund was jointly established in 1994 by NOFA-VT and Chittenden Bank's Socially Responsible Banking Fund...
Agricultural Lending Cooperative of Western New York This lending cooperative offers loans to agricultural operations along with assisting producers with other business needs such as equipment leases,...
Beginning Farmer Bond (BFB) Loan in Wisconsin The BFB loan offers low interest rate financing to beginning farmers for their first major purchase of farm land or farm assets.
Capital Improvement Grants to Farms Serving Chicago Area The Frontera Farmer Foundation gives grants of up to $12,000 to small and medium sized, individually owned farmers serving the Chicago area. Though...
Community Wind: A Review of Select State and Federal Policy Incentives A comprehensive review of wind production incentives (tax credits, production-based incentives, state and federal grants and more. From Farmer's...
EQIP Funding Helps Family with Switch to Organic Farming Profile of a Nebraska farm family that knew it needed to step over to "the other side of agriculture." The federal incentive program gave them the...
Farm Business Management for Organic Producers in Minnesota The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering tuition cost share to Minnesota organic producers who enroll in the statewide Farm...
Farm Credit Services of America---Programs for Young and Beginning Producers Farm Credit Services of America offers multi-faceted young and beginner producer programs and financing for less established producers. Along with...
Federal Loan Programs for Family and Beginning Farmers This article, from Legal Aid of Nebraska, provides a good basic overview of farm loans--the different types of loans available, and what you must...
Federal Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching This publication offers an overview of the major federal conservation programs that provide resources for farmers and ranchers to enhance and...
Financial Assistance Programs for Beginning Farmers in Kansas A chart outlining various loan programs available in the state, maximum amounts, agencies providing the funding, terms, eligibility, and contact...
Financing Barriers for Small Organic and Sustainable Farms It is no secret that across the country demand for organic and local foods is accelerating and entrepreneurial farmers are responding to this...
Funding the New Harvest: Overcoming Credit Barriers for North Carolina's Sustainable Farming Enterprises What are the barriers to appropriate credit for the growing sustainable farming movement in North Carolina and how can these barriers be overcome?...
Grant Opportunities for Farmers in Pennsylvania and the Region This web page lists links to a variety of producer and other grant programs: state, regional and nationa.
Illinois Cost Share Program for Producers & Handlers Illinois organic producers and processors can apply for reimbursement for a portion of their organic certification costs.
Indiana Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a...
Indiana State Organic Certification Program This web page from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture gives access primarily to information about the organic cost share program.
Iowa Program Targets Landowners, Beginning Farmers Family members can apply for tax credits on cash rent, crop-share agreements. The program went into effect on January 1, 2007.
Iowa's Beginning Farmer Center This web site, from Iowa State University Extension, has information on Iowa's Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program and other financial resources,...
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Demonstration Grants The Demonstration Grant Program provides funds for farmers, agricultural researchers, educators and non-profit groups to explore innovative and...
Minnesota Organic Certification Cost Share Program Application Form Organic farmers and organic handlers (food processors, distributors and retailers) who become organic certified are eligible for payments through...
Nebraska Beginning Farmer NebraskaBeginningFarmer.org provides easy access to a number of entities which offer financial resources to individuals interested in agricultural...
Nebraska's Beginning Farmer Tax Credit A program designed to encourage "Present Farmers and Ranchers" to offer "Beginning Farmers and Ranchers" a needed start in their industry. The web...
New York State Funding for Organic Certification Purpose : reimburse producers and handlers for a portion of their annual organic certification renewal costs (program administered by NY Ag &...
NOFA-VT Energy Loan Fund for Organic Dairy Farmers in Vermont In 2007 funded through Chittenden Bank, NOFA Vermont, in conjunction with its Technical Assistance Program for dairy farmers, established a new...
North Central Region SARE North Central SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program) covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,...
Northeast SARE Farmer Grants A listing of grant opportunities provided by Northeast SARE, including guidelines, deadlines and descriptions.
Ohio Family Farm Loan Guarantee Program The primary purpose of the program is to guarantee a portion of a bank loan for those buying a farming operation of starting an agricultural...
Oklahoma Producer Grants, Awarded by the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture These producer grant funds the development of a new idea or innovative practice in sustainable agriculture. Two-year grants may be funded up to...
Organic Transition Cost Share Assistance Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides cost share funds to producers who voluntarily incorporate conservation into their farming...
Small, Limited Resource, and Beginning Farmers/Ranchers The purpose of this Natural Resources Conservation Service program is to ensure that NRCS programs are administered in a way that enables small,...
Southern Region SARE's Professional Development Grant Program The Professional Development program provides sustainable agriculture education and outreach strategies for Cooperative Extension Service...
Southern SARE grant programs Southern SARE has 7 different grant programs, including producer grants, on-farm research grants, planning grants and sustainable community grants....
Tip Sheet for Young and Beginning Farmers: How to Build Successful Financial Relationships A tip sheet for beginning farmers from the American Bankers Association
USDA Farm Service Agency Beginning Farmer Loan Programs An article for beginners from the Nebraska's Center for Rural Affairs.
VACC's (Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation) Organic Transition Program Market demand for organic dairy products is increasing steadily. However, the costs associated with the transition to organic dairy production can...
Virginia Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Virginia SARE's web site provides information on its grant programs for farmers and educators, as well as links to published information and events.
Whole Foods Producer Low-Interest Loan Program Independent, small, local producers can apply for low-interest loans of $1,000 to $50,000 for expansion of production or for new infrastructure;...