Future Farms Resources
Whether you’re looking for land or trying to transfer your land or business, Rogue Farm Corps has gathered a few key resources that can support you at the state and national levels with financing, business planning, succession planning, working land conservation easements* and land linking programs**. There are so many great resources out there that we can’t list them all here but here are some places to get you started. If you are looking for more tailored help in your land access journey, please contact our Future Farms Program Director Geoffrey Van.
FINANCING / ACCESS TO CAPITAL
LAND ACCESS / FARMLAND PRESERVATION
BUSINESS PLANNING
SUCCESSION PLANNING
financing/access to capital
The Aggie Bond Program provides affordable financing to new farms for financing capital purchases-- up to $250,000 for the purpose of depreciable agricultural property (including equipment, livestock, feed, fertilizer and seeds) for first time farmers; up to $62,600 on used equipment for first time farmers; and/or up to $509,600 for farmland purchases.
Offers lending programs tailored to suit you and your needs. They empower your financial success by offering different types of loans, including small farm loans for food producers and farmers to support increase in product availability, infrastructure and equipment.
Loans and Programs for Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers.
Individual Development Accounts through Mercy Corps NW
An Individual Development Account is a special savings account that helps families and individuals with limited financial resources save, build assets, and enter the financial mainstream. Mercy Corps Northwest provides a specific IDA for starting or growing a small business.
The Kiva community provides access to 0% interest loans and a community passionate about helping entrepreneurs in the United States. With over a million lenders, corporate sponsors, and local governments, the network can help you find the resources you need to grow your business.
Natural Capital Investment Fund, Farmers of Color Initiative
Provides financing, advisory services and targeted assistance to farmers of color and minority-owned agri-businesses.
Possible tax credits for improving energy efficiency, generating renewable energy, irrigation efficiency improvements, agriculture crop frost protection and more.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Programs
The Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management Program (habitat program), administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), is a cooperative effort involving state and local governments and other partners to help private landowners voluntarily conserve native wildlife habitat. Under the habitat program, land subject to an approved wildlife habitat conservation and management plan receives a wildlife habitat special assessment, where property taxes are assessed at the relatively low value that would apply if the land were being farmed or used for commercial forestry.
The Energy Loan Program (also known as SELP) promotes energy conservation and renewable energy resource development. The program offers competitive fixed interest rate loans for projects that save energy; produce energy from renewable resources such as water, wind, geothermal, solar, biomass, waste materials or waste heat; use recycled materials to create products; use of alternative fuels.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in rural America to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems; make energy efficiency improvements to non-residential buildings and facilities; use renewable technologies that reduce energy consumption; and participate in energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.
USDA Farmers’ Market Promotion Program
The goals of FMPP grants are to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of, domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.
USDA Value-Added Producer Grant
The primary objective of the VAPG program is to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of this program.
Western SARE- Farmer/Rancher Grants
These one- to three-year grants are conducted by agricultural producers with support and guidance from a technical advisor. Individual farmers or ranchers may apply for up to $15,000, and a group of three or more producers may apply for up to $25,000. Producers typically use their grants to conduct on-site experiments that can improve their operations and the environment and can be shared with other producers. Grant recipients may also focus on marketing and organic production.
Land Access / Farmland Preservation
Supports land access for the next generation of farmers. Supports the network of stakeholders and service providers through collection and documentation of innovative models for land access. Creating a comprehensive resource portal to pool the useful tools already developed.
Helps farmers and ranchers protect their land, produce a healthier environment and build successful communities.
Includes real estate listings
Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts
Includes a map of land trusts throughout the state that hold conservation easements. Some hold working land easements that allow continued farming or ranching.
Impact Investment company that helps farmers buy land.
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
EMSWCD’s Land Legacy Program helps ensure that high quality farmland is available for current and future farmers by entering into voluntary farmland protection agreements which provide cash and other incentives.
Crowd-sourced impact investment platform that helps farmers secure land.
HMI helps communities grow and thrive by educating family farmers and ranchers and pastoralists in regenerative agricultural practices that empower them to strengthen their businesses, produce healthier food, improve local wildlife habitats, and protect the environment.
A restorative farmland finance company providing land access to organic family farmers, with a focus on the next generation.
National Agricultural Statistics Cash Rents Survey
Provides the basis for county estimates of the cash rent paid for irrigated cropland, non-irrigated cropland, and pasture.
Partners with farmers and ranchers to protect agricultural lands for the benefit of Oregon’s economy, communities, and landscapes.
Oregon Farmland Protection Program
Information on Oregon’s land use policy regarding farmland.
Connecting beginning farmers and ranchers with land holders to help Oregon grow the next generation of family farmers. Also has a great listing of relevant resources for beginning farmers, finances, business planning, certifications, and more.
Oregon Water Resources Department
Lots of information about water rights in Oregon.
Sustainable Economies Law Center
The Sustainable Economies Law Center works to create and replicate social, economically, and ecologically just legal models for long-term farmland stewardship so we can live in a world where farmers have secure tenure on land that is affordable and where farms contribute to, instead of harm, the health, economy, and ecosystems of local communities.
A national landlink.
The Web Soil Survey provides agricultural producers, agencies, Technical Service Providers, and others electronic access to relevant soil and related information needed to make land-use and management decisions.
business planning
Ecotrust program that supports small and mid-sized farms and ranches that are larger than those selling via local farmers’ markets or CSAs (community supported agriculture), but smaller than those supplying globalized commodity markets, and who want to sell locally.
Ag Risk + Farm Management Library
Resources on various farm risks.
Explains legal arrangements that provide more affordable and equitable farmland access.
A host of resources on farmland transfer and farmland access.
Low-cost legal services, webinars, and resources on all farm business topics.
Build scenarios for purchasing farmland. You can compare detailed estimates of total costs, monthly payments and affordability metrics, and then download the results to have on hand when meeting with a loan officer.
HMI helps communities grow and thrive by educating family farmers and ranchers and pastoralists in regenerative agricultural practices that empower them to strengthen their businesses, produce healthier food, improve local wildlife habitats, and protect the environment.
Information on how to work with a realtor, find and analyze farmland for lease or sale, ideas on collective farmland management, and how to create a lease.
Offers toolboxes for Farm Transfer Planning, Farm Seekers, Land Leasing, and more, with helpful guides and forms.
Northwest Farm Credit Services
Offers videos, guides, workshops, retreats, and individual counseling for farm succession planning.
Connects entrepreneurs to retired professionals for free business counseling.
succession planning
Austin Family Business Program
A program of OSU, Austin offers group learning opportunities and a list of ag professionals like attorneys and more.
The Agribusiness Program offers courses and business counseling, and their Microenterprise Resources Initiative and Training (MERIT) program trains Latinx and other entrepreneurs in the Woodburn area.
Offers toolboxes for Farm Transfer Planning, Farm Seekers, Land Leasing, and more, with helpful guides and forms.
Connect to attorneys, including estate planners, in your area.
Oregon Small Business Development Center Network
Offers one-on-one business training for small businesses, including farms, at community colleges around the state. Small Business Management program students create a business/succession plan.
Oregon State University Extension
Offers training on succession planning through the Ties to the Land program, whole farm management training via Growing Farms, and education and resources through the Small Farm Program.
Managed by Friends of Family Farmers, Oregon Farm Link also offers resources on succession planning, ag leases, business planning, financing, grants, and certifications.
* “Working land conservation easements” are voluntary agreements between a landowner and land trust or conservation district to preserve the land for agriculture forever in exchange for cash or tax breaks. They can be helpful in business expansion or succession planning, making the land more accessible to beginning farmers and ranchers.
**“Landlinking” programs are a place for landholders and landseekers to connect for leases, farm partnerships, or sale of farmland. Reach out to landlink staff if you have questions about how to create a post or connect with people on the site.