Financial assistance

"Under the High Tunnel Loan Program, Missouri producers who have been approved by USDA NRCS, through either the USDA NRCS EQIP Seasonal High Tunnel System Initiative or the EQIP Organic Initiative for a seasonal high tunnel reimbursement, will be eligible for a short term loan.

The program finances animal waste treatment systems for independent livestock and poultry producers at below conventional interest rates.

Missouri Alternative Loan Program can be used to finance the production, processing and marketing needs of an alternative agricultural enterprise. Applicants must be a legal Missouri resident and a minimum of 14 years of age. The project must be located in Missouri and the maximum loan amount is $20,000 with a 5 year repayment term.

The Livestock Equipment Pilot Loan Program is designed to help finance the purchase of livestock-related equipment. Loans may be used for the acquisition of equipment for animal housing, confinement, animal feeding, milk production and waste management.

The Savings Incentive Program is designed to help beginning farmers to save $100 a month for two years; after which, SIP will match their savings 1:1. The beginning farmer can then use this savings to purchase a farm asset (like machinery, land, or livestock).

In order to participate in many conservation cost-share programs from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, a conservation plan is required. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) program may be used to develop comprehensive nutrient management and other conservation practice plans.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Producer Grant Program is a competitive grants program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects.

In 2010, the NMFMA, Permaculture Guild and Permaculture Credit Union initiated a low-interest micro-loan program for small-scale farmers who sell at New Mexico farmers' markets. Loans are available for amounts between $500 and $3,000, must be paid back within 40 months, and have a fixed interest rate of 6%

Food Roots Individual Development Account program participants are committed to saving a minimum of $25 a month for a minimum of six months (or a maximum of 3 years). The savings are matched at a 3:1 rate. Participants can save a maximum matched savings of $1,000 a year ($3,000 will be matched for their $1,000 saved).

Individual Development Accounts or IDAs, are special matched savings accounts designed to help families and individuals establish a pattern of regular saving and, ultimately, purchase something likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner -- for instance, farm equipment or for a down payment on farmland.