Where to start when looking at farm programs
Producers seeking government programs to help their operation may get overwhelmed when they start the search process. The vast number of programs, agencies and requirements may leave some producers wondering where to go for answers and advice. Ozarks Farm and Neighbor asked experts about the best ways for producers to find the information they need for their operation.
Where to Start
The first step producers should take before looking into any programs is to obtain a farm number. This requires a visit to a local United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) office and working with a representative in the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to apply for a free farm number.
Farm numbers are unique numbers assigned to farms. The farm number identifies a farm’s location as well as connects the farm owner with the opportunity to apply to a myriad of USDA programs. Farm owners will need a farm number to apply for programs such as FSA farm loans, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs, crop insurance and disaster assistance.
Sign Up
Another way for producers to get connected to government programs is to sign up for county and state newsletters.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture, as well as other state departments of agriculture, regularly offer email communication with updates and information about programs. Farmers can sign up for the email communications via their state department of agriculture’s website.
Farmers may want to routinely check with local county extension specialists as another avenue to gain awareness about potentially helpful programs. Additionally, local county extension offices offer publications that can help business owners review programs that may be of interest to their operation. The publications outline the type of funding, programs available and necessary requirements.
Lastly, never underestimate the value of networking with fellow producers, friends, business acquaintances and neighbors. Joining producer organizations is another good way to connect with other people in the industry and to learn from others’ experiences.
Stay Ahead
Many of the government funding programs require considerable paperwork and follow-up, experts suggest producers get ahead of the application process, if possible. “Sometimes programs have reoccurring sign-up dates or application windows, mark your calendar, and if you find a grant opportunity that you think is a great fit for your operation and it is not currently open – see if you can find a previous request for applications (RFA), and start working through the old application. This will help you be more prepared if the program does reopen, or better positioned to pivot to a similar opportunity,” Mallory Rahe, University of Missouri Extension Agricultural Business and Policy Education Director and director of the Missouri Agriculture, Food and Forestry Innovation Center (MAFFIC), explained.
In addition, farmers looking to expand their operation should assess their priorities and carve out time to work on their business. “This can be incredibly hard for small farms when one person may be in charge of purchasing, production, processing and marketing – but without a clear sense of what the business needs and a reasonable plan for scaling the business it is too easy to get lost in the available programs and not be able to identify what to pursue,” Rahe said.
