The money facts about becoming a farmer and how to get financing

There are many components to starting a farm operation, with access to financing being one of the biggest challenges. To assist new agricultural producers in finding financial sources, the Virginia Secretariat of Agriculture and Forestry, in partnership with key lending institutions and state and federal agencies, will host two Farm Finance and Conservation Planning Seminars - December 8 at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, VA, and on December 16 at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA.

New and beginning farmers are encouraged to register for one of these free networking and learning opportunities by contacting .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For the seminar on December 8, please register by December 5. For the seminar on December 16 event, please register by December 13.

“As agriculture is the Commonwealth’s top private industry, Governor Glenn Youngkin is committed to the industry’s continued development as a growth engine and source of jobs throughout rural Virginia,” said Matthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “These free seminars will provide critical farm financing and cost share conservation opportunities to help the next generation of agricultural producers find success.”

A combination of financial institutions and farm-related agencies are sponsoring the seminars: Farm Credit of the Virginias, Colonial Farm Credit, First Bank & Trust, and F&M Bank, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, and Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts.