FSA Farm Loans
Operating loans, farm ownership loans, emergency loans and microloans for farmers who cannot get credit elsewhere. Includes guaranteed loans through commercial lenders. Apply through your local FSA county office.
Funding Finder
Federal programs and trusted organizations that fund farms. Pick a category to narrow the list. Each link goes to the agency that runs the program — check there for current deadlines and eligibility.
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
One page that collects loan options, down-payment loans, set-asides and training for people with 10 years or less of farming experience. Includes veterans and socially disadvantaged producers.
EQIP - Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Cost-share payments for conservation practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, fencing, grazing systems and high tunnels. Sign up at your NRCS service center; ranking cut-off dates vary by state.
CSP - Conservation Stewardship Program
Annual payments for maintaining and adding conservation activities on land you already manage well. Five-year contracts.
SARE Grants
Research and education grants for farmers and ranchers trying sustainable practices. Regional programs have their own calls for proposals. Four regions: North Central, Northeast, South, West.
Grants.gov - federal grant search
Search every federal grant opportunity. Filter by "Agriculture" to see USDA and other agency programs. Mostly for organizations; check eligibility.
Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP)
Grants and technical support for farmers markets, local food businesses, value-added products and regional food systems. Check the page for the current funding round.
Federal crop insurance
Find agents, insured crops, premiums and deadlines. Whole-farm and specialty options exist for diversified and small operations. Sales closing dates differ by crop and county.
Find your FSA / NRCS service center
Enter your ZIP code to find the local USDA office that handles loans, conservation sign-up and disaster programs. Start here if you are unsure which program fits.
Cooperative Extension office
Free local advice, soil testing, publications and workshops. Your county Extension agent often knows which state and federal programs are open. Pick your state's land-grant university.
Organic certification and cost share
How organic certification works and how to find a certifier. Cost-share reimbursement for certification is available in many states.
American Farmland Trust - Farmland Information Center
Farmland protection, leasing and transfer resources, including lease guidance and state programs. Non-profit; not a government program.
National Young Farmers Coalition
Land access, financing and policy resources for young and beginning farmers. Non-profit; not a government program.
Farm Aid hotline: 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)
Free help for farm families in crisis: disaster, financial trouble, loss of a farm, legal or mental-health questions. Hotline hours are posted on the site.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988, any time. If you or someone on your farm is in danger right now, call 911. Free and confidential.
Links last reviewed 2026-10-22. Programs change with each farm bill and budget; if a link is dead, search the program name on farmers.gov.