Young, Beginning and Small Farmers
Farm Credit has been financing farmers of all types for more than 90 years. 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 or small farmers have unique challenges in establishing, developing, and maintaining their farming operations.
Are you a Young, Beginning or Small 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.
If you fit into one of these categories, Farm Credit of North 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 or small farmers get started in farming.
The YBS Committee
The YBS Leadership Committee was established in 2004 to act as a conduit by which the association staff can receive first hand information from this group of very important agricultural producers. The Committee meets bi-annually to discuss with staff important issues and special interest items related to Young, Beginning & Small farmers. The Committee generates outreach opportunities for YBS 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 meets the needs of and exceeds the expectations of the Young, Beginning and Small farmers in the North Florida area, and those that would like to become agriculturalist and rural residents.
Tools for Young, Beginning, Small Farmers
http://www.360financialliteracy.org
http://www.angelcapitaleducation.org/
http://sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html
http://www.score.org/index.html
http://www.sbdc.unf.edu/_workshops/index.asp
Scholarship and Loan Program
YBS Committee is proud to offer two new programs to support and educate youth in agriculture.
Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded yearly to deserving students who are pursuing an agricultural degree. To be eligible, an individual must be a high school senior or college student working toward an associates, bachelors or masters degree, who have a permanent home address in Farm Credit of North Florida territory. Students can apply by calling or stopping by any Farm Credit of North Florida office or by printing the application below. All applications must be in by April 15th of each year.
A youth livestock loan program is also being offered. This program is available to youth exhibiting market steers in local county fairs in our association territory. A letter of good standing is required by the student’s FFA advisor/4-H extension agent, and the child must submit a loan application with the applicant’s (parent/guardian) financial information.
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