Microfinance

For small amounts of capital, Find targeted financing opportunities

PFI Savings Incentive Program

http://www.practicalfarmers.org/programs/youth-and-next-generation/sip.html

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).

Sponsoring Organization:
Practical Farmers of Iowa

Financing Farming in the U.S.: Opportunities to Improve the Financial and Business Environment for Small and Midsized Farms Through Strategic Financing

http://thecarrotproject.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/FINAL_July_2010_2.20883...

This report "discusses (1) the reasons for the chasm between an emerging sector of smaller-scale agricultural producers and access to capital, and (2) workable strategies to create successful farmer-lender relationships." This document gives a broad overview of the challenges of financing for small-scale farming operations and some discussed so

Sponsoring Organization:
The Carrot Project

NMFMA Farmer Micro-Loan Program

http://farmersmarketsnm.org/Farmers_and_Vendors/Farmer_Micro-Loan_Program/index....

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%

Sponsoring Organization:
NMFMA New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association

Food Roots Individual Development Accounts

http://www.foodrootsnw.org/ida

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).

Sponsoring Organization:
Food Roots

California FarmLink Individual Development Accounts

http://californiafarmlink.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&...

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.

Sponsoring Organization:
California Farmlink

Farm Financing - Small Farm Loans

http://thecarrotproject.org/financing

The Carrot Project offer loans to small farms in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont, especially those having difficulty obtaining credit and use or are moving toward organic/sustainable practices or serve local and regional markets.

Sponsoring Organization:
The Carrot Project
See all Microfinance programs and resources