Gain Experience

Washington FarmLink is the state’s leading program to link aspiring farmers and landowners and help build sustainable farming operations. FarmLink addresses barriers that farmers face in keeping their land in farming and answers the call for more technical assistance and education.

"Our goal for this project is to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of beginning minority, immigrant, and tribal farmers and ranchers in California. We will conduct training and outreach to Latino, Southeast Asian and Native farmers and mentors in 10 counties.

The FARMS Leadership Program introduces high school students to the importance of environmentally-sound farming practices that preserve land and its resources for future generations.

This program "aims to support the long-term sustainability of local food production at the San Francisco Bay Area urban-rural edge, by delivering training and mentorship opportunities to beginning farmers and ranchers in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara Counties."

Objective of this Program is to improve the success rate of beginning farmer Native American, International Refugee, and Future Farmers of America, and 4-H audiences by enabling them to: 1. Develop a business plan for specialty crops that considers direct, local, and niche marketing alternatives.

Pennsylvania Farm Link is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of "creating farming opportunities for the next generation." Information including workshops, an apprenticeship program, and resource library is available for both beginning farms and farm succession planning.

The Aggie Bond Loan Program is a federal bonding program administered by the State through its Rural Finance Authority. The program offers affordable financing for a qualified beginning farmer. This is accomplished by securing for the applicant a reduced interest rate on the loan they are submitting for approval under the program.

MDAR's Agricultural Business Training Program responds to these and other planning needs through training and technical assistance.