Resources for New and Beginning Farmers
April 1, 2025 - New and Beginning Farmer - Farm Finance and Conservation Planning Seminar
The following list of public resources has been curated to assist new and beginning farmers and ranchers in establishing their operations. As each operation is different, new farmers and ranchers should check with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and their local government to ensure they are following all laws and regulations prior to beginning operations.
Conservation
- Farmland Information Center - Protection and Stewardship
- USDA Farm Service Agency - Conservation Programs
- USDA Farmers.gov - Conservation at Work
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- VDACS - Farmland Preservation
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Soil and Water Conservation
- Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Protecting Farm and Forest Land
Farm Safety
Financial Resources
- Quick Reference Guide of Financial Resources for Agriculture and Forestry Businesses
- USDA Farm Service Agency (Farm Ownership, Farm Storage Facilities, Farm Operating)
- USDA Farmers.gov - Farm Loan Discovery
- USDA Rural Development - Business and Industry Loan
- VDACS - Agriculture and Forestry Development
Farm Planning/Technical Assistance
- AgPlan - Business Planing App
- USDA Farmers.gov - How to Start a Farm
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services - Soil Survey
- VAFAIRS - Technical Information
- VDACS - Agency Directory
- VDACS - Animal Health
- VDACS - Domestic Marketing and Promotions
- VDACS - Pesticides
- VDACS - Produce Safety
- Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Virginia Farm Link
- Virginia Grown - Register Your Business
- Virginia State University - Small Farm Outreach Program
- Virginia Tech - A Taste of Farming video series
- Virginia Tech - Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition
- Virginia Tech - Farm Planning
- Virginia Tourism Corporation - Agritourism Marketing Program
Farm Finance and Conservation Seminar
Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr recently hosted a free networking event for beginner farmers to provide them with information on farm financing options and cost share conservation opportunities. Please click the following links to view segments from this seminar.
Welcome / Kick OffMatthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
Dr. Robert Corley, Dean of the College of Agriculture at VSU
Colonial Farm Credit
Paul Franklin, CEO
Chris Simms, Regional Lending Manager
First Bank & Trust
Sheldon R. Waldron, AVP Loan Officer
The Bank of Southside Virginia
Christopher L. Everett, Senior Vice-President/Business Development Officer
Lauren P. Harper, Senior Vice-President/Business Development Officer
Q & A (Colonial Farm Credit, First Bank & Trust, and The Bank of Southside Virginia)
USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA)
April Faircloth, USDA FSA Farm Loans
Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD)
Sara B. Cravath, District Manager, Appomattox River SWCD
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Marian Jordan, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Dr. Janine Parker Woods, Associate Extension Administrator Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University
Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program
William Crutchfield, Director of Small Farm Outreach Program
Q & A (FSA, VASWCD, NRCS, VA Cooperative Extension, VSU SFOP)
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files.
