Unlocking Capital for Beginning Farmers

What is the Unlocking Capital for Beginning Farmers Program?

In FFI’s Unlocking Capital for Beginning Farmers Program, farmers who have been in business 10 years or less, anywhere in the country, can work with experts to optimize their business model and financial strategy to access needed capital to start up or grow their farm business. This program is FREE due to a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant from the United States Department of Agriculture. 

This grant allows FFI to help prepare farmers for investment and support them through raising money by creating a customized training and coaching program. Whether a farmer needs basic financial foundation training or would like to work with FFI consultants to build a proforma for an expansion project, the BFRDP can help fund a farmer’s participation in FFI programs. Some of the topics that may be included in training or 1-on-1 coaching sessions are:  

• Creating an investible business model 
• Financial foundations, including basic accounting principles and creating financial documents and reports 
• Determining appropriate capital for growth, scaling, transition, or succession 
• Different types of capital and when to use them 
• Creating a financial package and pitch deck for potential lenders and investors to help get investor-ready