Farm Credit has been financing farmers of all types for nearly a century. For many farmers, we were the first (and often the only) lender chosen as they began their farming operations. Many of these farmers have continued to use Farm Credit for all of their operating needs as their operations have become larger and more complex.
Our loan officers understand agriculture and recognize that young, beginning, small and minority farmers have unique challenges in establishing, developing and maintaining their farming operations.
Are you a Young, Beginning, Small or Minority Farmer?
- A young farmer is one who is 35 years of age or younger.
- A beginning farmer is one who has 10 or fewer years farming, ranching or aquatic agriculture experience.
- A small farmer is one who generates less than $250,000 in annual gross agricultural or aquatic sales.
- A minority farmer is an American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, a person whose ethnicity is Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race, and women. Minority borrowers must own at least 51% of the operation.
If you fit into one of these categories, Farm Credit of Florida is ready to help. Our loan officers will be glad to review your situation and give you expert advice on the financial program that may work best for you. By working closely with government programs such as the Farm Service Agency’s Guaranteed Loan Program, we have been able to help young, beginning; small and minority farmers get started in farming.
YBS&M Help
Here’s more help – this website is provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and offers tools and information about all aspects of business.
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy
The National Young Farmers’ Coalition website has many excellent resources for young farmers. From upcoming events to blogs to news, find out what’s happening in the young farming community on a national level.
National Young Farmers’ Coalition
The YBS&M Committee
The YBS&M Committee is composed of staff members who meet bi-annually to discuss important issues and special interest items related to Young, Beginning, Small and Minority farmers. The Committee generates outreach opportunities for YBS&M farmers through sponsorship of workshops, seminars and other agricultural-related activities.
The ultimate challenge of this committee is to assist in creating an environment, with products and services that meet the needs of and exceed the expectations of the Young, Beginning, Small and Minority farmers in the North, Southwest and South Florida areas, and those that would like to become agriculturalist and rural residents.