Beginning Farmers
Are you just starting out in your farming journey? We can help you find farmland, apply for financial support, connect with a mentor, and learn production, business and life lessons from experienced farmers.
Programs
Savings Incentive Program
The Savings Incentive Program is a two-year program that supports...
Land Matching
Retiring farmers or landowners want to see the next generation...
Labor4Learning
Labor4Learning is for new and aspiring farmers who want to...
Farmland Access Navigators
PFI's Farmland Access Navigators support land seekers and landowners. They...
Farm-to-School Mentorship Program
Interested in selling to K–12 schools? This program connects newer...
Empower Farmers Program
The Empower Farmers Program offers up-front payments to support the...
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Looking for land?
If you are a beginning farmer looking for land to begin or expand your farming enterprises, check out our land matching resources. View a list of land available to buy or rent or reach out to our staff for assistance finding land that meets your farming needs.
Upcoming Beginning Farmer Events
Network with other beginning farmers and learn from experienced farmers at our events.
Latest Beginning Farmer Posts
Learn tips from other beginning farmers and explore farmer stories about navigating land connections, finding financial resources and partnering for success.
Beginning Farmer Resources
Business Planning Resources
- Ag Plan – University of Minnesota
- How to Start a Farm – USDA
- Business Structure Resources – Farm Commons
- Workers and employees resources – Farm Commons
- Whole Farm Planning – Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA)
- Planning for On-Farm Success – FarmLink Montana
- Marketing 101: An Introduction to Basic Marketing Practices – Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
- Meat and Poultry Processing – Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
- Risk Management – USDA
- Insurance and liability – Farm Commons
- Business Plan Checklist – Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT)
Financial Resources
Learning Tools
- Farm Finances Webinar Series – The Land Connection
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
- Ag Decision Maker – Iowa State University
- Farm Financial Templates – The Carrot Project
- Farm Finances – The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA)
- Farm Service Agency Loans: Guidebook – National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC)
- Farmer Resource Guide – Farm Aid
Grants and Loan Programs
- Fund-a-Farmer Grants – Food Animal Concerns Trust
- Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants – Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)
- Brighter Future Fund Grants – American Farmland Trust
- Farmer Rancher Grants – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
- Beginning Farmer Programs – Iowa Finance Authority
- Value Added Producer Grant – USDA
- USDA Agricultural Funding Resources
Land Access Resources
Planning for Land Tools
- Seeking Farmland Resources – Land for Good
- Farmland Access Hub – Renewing the Countryside
- Finding Farmland calculator – National Young Farmers Coalition
- Land Contract Toolbox – Farm Commons
- Farm Rental Assessment Checklist – University of Vermont
- Farm Site Assessment Guide – Farm Link Montana
Land Seeking Tools
- Ag Link – Iowa State University Beginning Farmer Center
- Farmland Clearinghouse – Land Stewardship Project
- Finding, Assessing and Securing Farmland – New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
- Land Link-up – Marbleseed
- Minnesota Farmlink – Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Land Link Directory – National Young Farmers Coalition
Become a PFI Member
Join our expanding network and take part in an open exchange of practical information to improve our farms and communities.