New to farming? Want to learn how to start a farm? USDA offers dedicated help 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.
How to Start a Farm Operation
Plan Your Farm Operation
1. Start here! Think about your operation from the ground up and start planning for your business.
Visit Your Service Center
2. Get in touch with your local Service Center to find programs to support your operation.
Fund Your Farm Operation
3. USDA has spent decades helping new producers find land and money for their businesses.
Build Your Business
4. Lean on USDA to help you build your operation with sound business and financial knowledge.
Sell Your Farm Products
5. Explore everything about producing, marketing and actually selling your final product.
Maintain Your Farm
6. Take care of your farm operation, and it will take care of you. USDA can help.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators are USDA team members in each state who can help you understand the USDA process and find the right assistance as you are starting out. They can also connect you with organizations that specifically serve beginning farmers and ranchers. Reach out to your state's coordinator with the following information about your operation:
- Location: County or parish
- Type of operation: Livestock, row crop, fruit, vegetable, etc.
- Land: Own, lease, or plan to purchase or lease
Find a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator in Your State
Additional Resources
Learn how to get started with USDA, how to prepare for your visit to your local USDA service center, and what you can expect during your visit.
Learn about the farm loans that might be right for you, check your eligibility, and get instructional help with the application forms.
Read success stories from other beginning farmers and their experiences working with USDA as well as Q&As with USDA staff.
View USDA resources and program information for small and midsized-producers.
User our service center locator to find USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Services office near you.
Building Your Bench
Download the presentation files:
Back to Basics and Working with USDA for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Download the presentation file:
USDA Hurricane Recovery Options for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Download the presentation files:
USDA Funding Programs and Grant Opportunities for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Download the presentation files:
- Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Grant Opportunities
- Basics of Crop Insurance
- Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP)
- Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs for New Farmers
- Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
- Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
- Value-Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG)
Find Your Local Service Center
USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.
Learn more about our Urban Service Centers.
Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office or to find an insurance agent near you.