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.
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 Off
Matthew 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)
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