How to Start a Farm: A Beginner Farmer’s Guide
Starting a farm is exciting, but there is a lot to think about before you put the first seed in the ground or bring your first animals home. From developing a business plan and finding land to financing your operation, marketing your products, and preparing for unexpected challenges, there are many pieces that go into building a successful farm business.
The good news? You don't have to figure it all out on your own.
The USDA offers resources and assistance specifically for beginning farmers and ranchers. The USDA generally considers anyone who has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 years to be a beginning farmer or rancher.
Whether you are dreaming about starting a farm for the first time or are already operating a small farm and looking for ways to grow, there are programs and resources available to help you take the next step.
Start With a Plan
Before investing in equipment, livestock, seeds, or land, take some time to think through what you want your farm to look like.
A farm business plan can help you identify your goals, understand your expected expenses and income, determine what products you want to produce, and think through how you will reach your customers.
Consider questions such as:
What do I want to grow or raise?
Who will buy my products?
How much land will I need?
What equipment and infrastructure will I need?
What will my start-up and operating costs look like?
Will I farm full-time or part-time?
Where will I sell my products?
What are my short-term and long-term goals?
Taking time to plan before making major investments can help you make more informed decisions as your operation gets started.
USDA Resource: Plan Your Farm Operation
Connect With Your Local USDA Service Center
Once you have an idea of what you want your farm to look like, connecting with your local USDA Service Center can be an important next step.
USDA Service Centers can help beginning farmers learn about programs and services that may be available for their operation. This can include assistance related to farm financing, conservation, disaster assistance, crop insurance, and other agricultural programs.
When reaching out, it can be helpful to have basic information about your operation ready, including:
Your county or location
The type of farm you operate or plan to operate
Whether you own, lease, or plan to purchase or lease land
What types of crops, livestock, or other products you plan to produce
USDA Resource: Find Your Local Service Center
Explore Funding and Financing
Starting a farm can require significant investment. Land, equipment, livestock, seeds, irrigation, buildings, supplies, and other expenses can add up quickly.
USDA offers several programs designed to help farmers access financing, including loan programs specifically intended for beginning farmers and ranchers.
Beginning farmers may also want to explore other grants, cost-share programs, conservation assistance, and agricultural organizations that provide financial or technical support.
USDA Resources:
Build Your Farm Business Knowledge
Being a good farmer involves much more than knowing how to grow a crop or care for livestock. Running a farm is also running a business.
Beginning farmers may need to learn about:
Budgeting and financial management
Record keeping
Business structures
Risk management
Marketing
Customer relationships
Pricing
Hiring and delegation
Loans and lending
Taxes and insurance
Look for workshops, webinars, Extension programs, farm organizations, and experienced farmers who can help you build these skills.
Learning from people who have already navigated some of these challenges can save you time, money, and frustration as you build your own operation.
Figure Out How You Will Sell Your Products
Growing a great product is only one part of running a farm business. You also need a plan for getting that product into the hands of customers.
Depending on your operation, potential markets could include:
Farmers markets
Farm stands
Community-supported agriculture (CSA)
Restaurants
Grocery stores
Food hubs
Wholesale buyers
Schools and institutions
Online sales
Direct-to-consumer sales
Think about your customers early in the planning process. Understanding who you want to sell to can help you determine what to produce, how much to grow, how to package your products, and what sales channels make sense for your farm.
USDA Resource: Selling Your Farm Products
Don't Forget About Risk Management
Farming comes with risks that are outside your control. Weather, pests, disease, market changes, equipment problems, and other unexpected challenges can all affect an operation.
Building a risk-management plan can help you prepare for those challenges before they happen.
Depending on your operation, this may include exploring crop insurance, conservation programs, disaster assistance, farm insurance, emergency savings, and other strategies that can help protect your business.
USDA Resource: Maintain Your Farm Operation
Find People Who Can Help
One of the most valuable resources for a beginning farmer can be a strong network.
USDA has Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators in each state who can help producers understand available USDA programs and connect with organizations that serve beginning farmers and ranchers.
You can contact your state's coordinator with information about your location, type of operation, and land situation.
Find a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator
You can also look to your local Cooperative Extension, farm organizations, experienced farmers, agricultural educators, and local food organizations for additional guidance and connections.
More Resources for Beginning Farmers
If you're just getting started, you don't need to have everything figured out at once. Start by learning, asking questions, building relationships, and creating a plan that makes sense for your farm.
Here are some additional USDA resources to explore:
Beginning Farmer Fact Sheet
Learn what to expect when working with USDA and how to prepare for a visit to your local Service Center.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loans
Explore financing options designed to assist beginning farmers and ranchers.
USDA Loan Assistance Tool
Explore available farm loans, check eligibility, and get help navigating the application process.
Beginning Farmer Blog
Read stories from beginning farmers and learn from their experiences working with USDA.
Military Veteran Beginning Farmers
Find USDA resources specifically for military veteran producers.
Starting a Farm Is a Process
There is no single path to becoming a farmer. Some producers start with a small garden and gradually expand. Others begin by leasing land, joining an existing operation, or developing a specialty crop or livestock business.
The important thing is to start learning early, make a plan, understand your numbers, and connect with people who can help.
For beginning farmers in Davidson County and the surrounding area, DCLFN is also here to help connect our local agricultural community with resources, opportunities, and information.
Whether you're still exploring the idea of farming or you're ready to take the next step, building a strong foundation can help you grow your operation for years to come.