Agriculture Finance Resource Center

Agriculture finance is one of the most important components of state and local development finance efforts. Agriculture remains one of the country’s most important and productive industries and is the primary economic engine for most rural communities. From beginning and established farmers to agriculture production and processing, the needs of the agriculture industry are vast. Resources are also very limited and the barriers to capital for agriculture are daunting. Dozens of states offer financing resources such as loan funds, grants and aggie bonds to assist with the agriculture industry. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides vast resources to rural communities to support agricultural development.

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-Understanding Agriculture Finance

Maximizing Rural Opportunities for Businesses and Communities in Wisconsin Members only

Urban communities like Milwaukee and Madison are not the only places looking for help to fund economic development. Wisconsin is filled with rural communities and small towns who are also in need of financing strategies. These areas face unique development financing challenges and needs such as downtown revitalization and talent and business development. Barb LaMue with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation explores the cutting-edge strategies driving development in the state, and how to access them.

Financing the Local Food System in Washington Members only

Mike Lufkin and Bea Covington discuss the local food systems in WA and how it's become a growing challenge. Mike and Bea discuss changes to the way food is reaching consumers and addressing social issues.

A Look at Financing First Time Farmers in Iowa Members only

Tammy Nebola from the Iowa Agricultural Development Division of the Iowa Finance Authority discusses farming in Iowa and what it takes to finance first time farmers around the state.

Succession Opportunities in Local Food Systems Members only

Joe Bute, with Hollymead Capital and PittBusiness discuss the importance of recognizing the challenges of the "critical middle" in the regional food system and facing the challenges of ownership change.

The Rural Center Members only

Barry Ryan discusses what The Rural Center is doing to support rural economic development in North Carolina.

View More Agriculture Finance

-Aggie Bonds

Presentation: Rural Financing Strategies Members only

In this presentation, Gray Smith, President and CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council, examines rural financing strategies. Aggie Bonds are explained in detail, including eligibility and the application process.

Beginning Farmer Bond Program Summary Members only

The Illinois Finance Authority administers the Beginning Farmer Bond program increasing access to agricultural business for entrepreneurs and new farmers. The program summary provides essential program details.

Oklahoma State Bond Advisor 2011 Annual Report Members only

Oklahoma State Bond Advisor released their 2011 annual report with detailed information about bond rating, performance, and projects.

IFA Agriculture Brochure Members only

This brochure from the Illinois Finance Authority provides information on all of the bond and lending tools the state provides to support farmers and agribusinesses.

2011 Aggie Bond Limit Members only

In this document produced by the Office of Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting) you will find the approved 2011 Aggie Bond Limit for first time farmers as well as various other 2011 adjusted revenue items.

More Aggie Bonds

-USDA Resources

Federal Financing Programs Targeting Opportunity Zones

The White House Opportunity & Revitalization Council released a list of over 160 federal financing programs that give preference to projects located in Opportunity Zones.

Agricultural Lending: Credit to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Is Limited Members only

Can women and minorities get the loans they need to buy and operate farms? According to USDA survey data, these "socially disadvantaged" farmers and ranchers get a disproportionately small share of farm loans. More detailed information isn’t available on farm lending to these groups because lenders generally aren't allowed to record an applicant's race or sex.

e-Connectivity at USDA: Broadband Resources for Rural America

This toolkit presents USDA programs and resources that support broadband e-Connectivity. It aims to help customers navigate the agencies within USDA to find the opportunity that best fulfills their connectivity needs. From grants and loans, to partnerships and in-person consultations, USDA can support a wide variety of project types for a diversity of customers.

The ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program Members only

This overview of the USDA's ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program was authored by the Congressional Research Service in July 2019.

USDA Report on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity 2019 Members only

On April 25, 2017, the President of the United States established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity through Executive Order 13790. The purpose and function of the Task Force was to identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to promote agriculture, economic development, job growth, infrastructure improvements, technological innovation, energy security, and quality of life in rural America.

View More USDA Resources

-Case Studies

Agricultural financing tools are essential to American rural development and sustainability. CDFA has collected dozens of case study examples.

Maximizing Rural Opportunities for Businesses and Communities in Wisconsin Members only

Financing the Local Food System in Washington Members only

A Look at Financing First Time Farmers in Iowa Members only

Tammy Nebola from the Iowa Agricultural Development Division of the Iowa Finance Authority discusses farming in Iowa and what it takes to finance first time farmers around the state.

Succession Opportunities in Local Food Systems Members only

The Rural Center Members only

Barry Ryan discusses what The Rural Center is doing to support rural economic development in North Carolina.

View More Case Studies

-Headlines

Communities throughout the country finance agriculture every day and CDFA collects headlines on projects and news daily.

Farm Credit System Reports Decline in Loan Quality
Successful Farming | Sep. 12 | Access to Capital | Agriculture Finance | Food Systems Finance

U.S. Banking Regulator Says Watch Farm Lending Risk
Reuters | Sep. 9 | Access to Capital | Agriculture Finance | Food Systems Finance

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-Training Courses

The Intro Rural Finance Training Course focuses on how the development finance toolbox can be structured to support rural communities and help them with strategies to invest in infrastructure, redevelopment, and job creation. This course differs from other curriculums in that it focuses on designing programs targeted to serve rural communities.

Leaders in rural and agricultural development finance will discuss how to develop and establish long-term financing within rural communities. In addition, the course will highlight successful programs that are working throughout the country in communities with varying levels of capacity and size. Topics discussed during the course include targeted financing programs available at the federal, state, and local levels for rural communities, along with best practices for employing these financing programs.

-Webcasts

ReConnecting Rural Broadband - Strategies for Funding Success Members only

During this webinar, Lindsay Miller, Attorney with Ice Miller LLP, Heather Morgan, Executive Director of Project 17, Ryeon Corsi, Management and Program Analyst at USDA-RD, and Jeff Reiman, Vice President of The Broadband Group discussed creative solutions for financing rural broadband infrastructure and the USDA's ReConnect Grant and Loan Program.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: Opportunities and Advancements in Water Finance Members only

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, learn from expert speakers Jordan Dorfman from the EPA, Tyler Old from PFM, John DeLuca from CoBank, and Jong Sook Nee from McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC as they discuss developments in the water finance space and how different financing mechanisms like bonds, RLFs, P3s, and other tools are being used to address today’s water infrastructure projects.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: 501(c)3 Nonprofit Financing – Healthcare, Education, Tribal & Community Facilities in the Crosshairs Members only

This month's CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast , our expert speakers unlock financing for 501(c)3s to demonstrate the variety and depth of financial tools available to drive development in your community.

Community Facilities Infrastructure Toolkit Webinar - Rural Development Staff

The Community Facilities Infrastructure Toolkit can be used as a guide to help organizations and community leaders better understand the complex process that is required to successfully develop and construct a new facility. This webinar is designed to train Rural Development staff how to effectively use the toolkit by discussing the major capacity, credit, and logistical challenges that particularly confront America’s small towns and rural areas. The webinar will focus on sections within the Community Facilities Infrastructure Toolkit, which include concept development, planning, designing, environmental compliance, finance, and construction.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: Connecting CRA to Development Finance Projects Members only

The role of CRA in forwarding development finance initiatives is explored in this BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast by speakers Sharon Canavan and David Black of the Office of Comptroller Currency, Laura Choi of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and Rena Nakashima of BNY Mellon.