Agriculture

Beginning Farmer Program

The purpose of the Beginning Farmer Program is to help beginning farmers and the part-time farmers who now want to farm full-time. The program provides loans for the purchase of agricultural land, farm buildings, new and used farm equipment, livestock and working capital.

Eligibility

• Borrower must be a permanent Missouri resident and at least 18 years of age.
• The proposed project is located in Missouri.
• Borrower has adequate working capital and experience in the type of farming operation for which the loan is sought.
• The project shall be used only for farming by the borrower or by the borrower's immediate family.
• In previous five years, the applicant has not owned acreage in excess of 50% of the average size farm in the county they are farming in or own farmland with an appraised value over $450,000. Average Size Farm in Missouri. Average Size Farm in Missouri
• Projected farm income (not including spouse's income) must be greater than non-farm income.