CDFA Agriculture Finance Resource Center

-What's New

Recent Updates

CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series: Sustaining Food and Farm Investment Amid Federal Funding Shifts

During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we explore how food systems projects can remain viable and impactful amidst shifting federal priorities and how practitioners across sectors continue building creative financial frameworks to move their work forward. Speakers share lessons learned and strategies for structuring capital stacks, leveraging remaining federal tools, and identifying flexible sources of financing that support food and farm entrepreneurs.

CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series: Harnessing the Power of Bonds: Transforming Food Systems Through Strategic Investment

In this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we explore how food- and agriculture-related businesses—particularly those serving historically underserved communities—can access bonds to drive economic development and foster a more resilient, equitable food system.

CDFA: Bipartisan Plan Would Support Manufacturers, First-Time Farmers

As the nation prepares to celebrate Manufacturing Day and National Farmer’s Day, CDFA is again urging federal policymakers to pass the Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA), which would enact bond financing reform for first-time farmers and smaller manufacturers. In an editorial, CDFA President and CEO Toby Rittner writes that the reforms proposed by MAMBA are especially important to underserved communities, including much of rural America. Rittner calls MAMBA a “smart, bipartisan plan.”

Upcoming Events

CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series: Unlocking Local Capital: The Power of a Food-Focused Loan Guarantee
September 30, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we will explore how a dedicated guarantee can transform regional food economies and expand equitable access to financing. Join us for this national webinar introducing an innovative loan guarantee program designed specifically to unlock financing for food and farm businesses.

CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series: Evaluating Success: Exploring Key Partnerships and Frameworks for Food Systems Financing
November 25, 22025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

During this final session of the 2025 CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we’ll explore how to navigate the complexities of combining multiple funding sources into a holistic financial model. We’ll highlight the key players, networks, and frameworks in structuring successful food system financing deals, while discussing how partnership strategies can secure funding, mitigate risk, and maximize impact. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an investor, this session will provide the tools and insights to evaluate, assess, and build sustainable funding strategies for food system projects.

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-Programs Map

Search the map below for agriculture finance programs by state. This specialized search is part of CDFA's State Financing Program Directory, the only online resource cataloging the development finance programs offered by state governments. Click on a state to see a sample of state energy programs available. Login with a CDFA Member account at the top of the page to view full results.

-Agriculture Data & Resources

-Resources

This section provides resources to help better understand and navigate the Agricultural Finance program.

View all Agriculture Finance Resources

During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, experts highlight the innovative ways in which PACE programs are evolving to support the agriculture industry across the country.

CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series: Financing Food Systems with Revolving Loan Funds

Agriculture Finance | Food Systems Finance | Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) | Webcasts

During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, panelists discuss how revolving loan funds can be used to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and microenterprises to strengthen local and regional food systems. The discussion also identifies how these tools can help unlock affordable capital for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series: Exploring Bonds as the Foundational Financing Tool

Agriculture Finance | Bond Finance | Food Systems Finance | Webcasts

During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, speakers explore the potential for leveraging this foundational financing tool to cultivate resilient and thriving local and regional food systems.

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-About Agriculture Finance

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.

Learn about the CDFA-NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Program

Subscribe to CDFA Food and Agriculture Finance Update