Written by Amy Rose, editing by Barbara Berst Adams.
Regardless of the economy, there are numerous farmers’ loans, small business start up loans and farming grants available. A number of www.MicroEcoFarming.com readers have requested information on the various small business start up loans, farmers’ loans and farming grants for the micro eco-farmer, so we’ve decided to offer this article that covers the numerous sources available.

Many micro eco-farmers forego farmers’ loans and opt for the bootstrap method instead, (save up a little money of your own and start small scale, from that profit grow a little more, then a little more, staying out of debt from the beginning). But there can be good reasons for to obtain farm funding upfront. Small business start up loans are especially valuable when there is a clear farm business plan laid out. In another article, we’ll cover how to get free experienced help in creating a farm business plan to accompany your quest for a farmers’ loan or to win your application for a farming grant.

This article is written for the www.MicroEcoFarm.com site and is regularly scanned for theft and plagiarism. Far too many try to steal loan and grant information that should be free to the public, then sell it to the unsuspecting public. The information presented here should be free and remain free to you. Please report any abuse, and please simply send this link to others who may be interested in the information provided rather than copying and mailing.

1. Find funds via micro-enterprise development programs in your state at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity. The AEO will help lead you to local programs that support small businesses that need initial small business start up loans of $35,000 and under with five or less employees. Along with capital for small business start up loans, they may also offer business training, technical assistance, technical training and access to markets. The website is microenterpriseworks.org
2. If you live in Nebraska, you can also go to the Nebraska Enterprise Fund at nebbiz.org to check into farmers’ loans. (This article written for www.MicroEcoFarming.com)
3. Find small business start up loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Many incorrect rumors have been started about supposed funds handed out by the SBA, but there are legitimate financing programs through them. Go to sba.gov, click “services,” then “SBA loans,” then “micro loans,” then scroll to “SBA microloan intermediaries”
4. Regularly check your local agriculture extension agent to see if there are new, temporary or less publicized small business start up loans or farming grants in your area. For example, in New York, Indian Chimney Farm owners were given a grant to start farm businesses related to agritourism. Money was given to upgrade buildings and parking. And the Kansas Rural Center received grants to create successful farmers’ markets to help local, small farms succeed. (This article written for www.MicroEcoFarming.com) Go to csrees.usda.gov/extension to find the cooperative extension in your area.
5. Check attra.org regularly for announcements on new farming grants and low interest farmers’ loans. As one example, Attra recently listed a new program to financially reward farmers who are already sustainably stewarding their land. They have all the forms to apply. As another example, they keep up to date information on small business start up loans and various farmers’ loans through the Farm Service Agency, which gives low interest loans to help farmers and ranchers establish farms and become financially successful.
6. Check Rural Development at rurdev.usda.gov. They offer information on grants and farmers’ loans primarily to help rural people own their own homes.
7. Go to sare.org. If your micro eco-farm consists of new research that could help other farmers, such as growing a new crop in your area or creating a new market on your farm via an innovative roadside stand, this organization allows you to apply for farming grants to help pay for the program. It also gives farming grants to increase farm production, educate on farming and more. This type of specialty farm funding can in some cases even replace a regular small business start up loan or farmers’ loans.
8. Check the Farm Service Agency at .fsa.usda.gov. They offer farmers’ loans to family farms that can’t find funding through a regular bank. They help both established farmers and new ones, so their funds could possibly act as small business start up loans. (This article written for www.MicroEcoFarming.com)
9. Obtain mentoring to secure your loan. Once people find appropriate small business start up loans, farming grants, or specific farmers’ loans they want to apply for, they need to “get” them by applying properly and being accepted. The sites listed above are loaded with free tutorials and information on how to do this. You can often read past winning applications, also. If you want a free experienced business mentor to help you create a business plan or whatever the small business start up loans require from you, go to score.org where you can choose a mentor who will guide you at no cost, and you can also take free online tutorials to help your business succeed. (This article written for www.MicroEcoFarming.com)