This is Part 1 of the First-Time Farmer's Resource Guide for the United States — your step-by-step companion through every stage of the farming journey. This part covers the foundations: planning your farm, finding your land, and funding your operation. When you are ready to move into sourcing inputs, protecting your crop, and selling your harvest, continue with Part 2.
Are you thinking about becoming a farmer in the United States? Maybe you have an idea of what you want to grow but are not sure where to start. Maybe you have already found land and are figuring out what comes next. Or maybe you have your first seed in the ground and are realizing there is a lot nobody told you about. Wherever you are in the journey, this guide is for you.
Farming in America today is not simple. Input costs are at their highest in years — nitrogen fertilizer alone is up nearly 50% year-on-year, energy costs remain elevated, and established farmers are already making difficult choices just to stay afloat. Only 60% of corn farmers have secured their nitrogen needs for the season, meaning almost half of experienced operators are still exposed heading into planting. Break-even prices for corn are meeting — and in some cases exceeding — what the market will actually pay. If you are just starting out, that landscape can feel overwhelming. The paperwork can feel endless. But there is a significant infrastructure of resources and tools built specifically to help new farmers succeed. The key is knowing where to look — and in what order. Here is the full picture, stage by stage.
STAGE 1 — PLANNING YOUR FARM
Before you look at a single acre of land, you need a plan. What you decide to grow will determine where you need to farm, what land you need to find, how much capital you need to raise, what inputs you need to source, and what markets you need to sell into. Every decision that follows depends on this one.
DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL GROW
Start with three questions. What can you grow profitably in the region you want to farm? What does the market in that region actually need? And what do you have the skills, interest, and resources to manage sustainably over multiple seasons?
The answers will point you toward a crop or livestock type — and from there, every subsequent decision becomes more specific and more manageable. A vegetable farmer needs different land, different inputs, different insurance, and different marketing channels than a corn farmer. A livestock operator needs different infrastructure than a specialty fruit grower. Know what you are growing before you do anything else.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICES
Cooperative extension services are public education programmes affiliated with state universities that provide free or low-cost, research-based agricultural advice. They operate in all 50 states, with county offices across the country. For a first-time farmer in the planning stage, your state's extension service is the most valuable free resource available to you.
Extension agronomists can advise you on which crops perform best in your target region's soil and climate, what realistic yield expectations look like for a first-year operation, and what the typical cost of production is for your chosen enterprise. They can also connect you with experienced farmers in your area who are willing to mentor new entrants. Find your state's extension service by searching your state name plus "cooperative extension.”
COST OF PRODUCTION TOOLS
Before you commit to growing anything, calculate whether you can grow it profitably. Michigan State University Extension has released a 2026 Projected Cost of Production Tool for Corn — a downloadable Excel calculator that estimates break-even prices and yields for both non-irrigated and irrigated operations, with an editable version that allows individual farms to input their own numbers. Similar tools exist for soybeans, wheat, livestock, vegetables, and specialty crops across most land-grant university extension programmes. Run your numbers before you spend a dollar.
WRITE A FARM BUSINESS PLAN
A farm business plan is not a formality. It is the document that tells you — and any lender or programme administrator you work with — whether your operation is financially viable. It should cover what you will produce, how you will produce it, what it will cost, what price you need to receive, and how you will sell it. USDA's farmers.gov portal includes a business plan template and guidance specifically designed for beginning farmers. Your local extension office can also help you build one.
BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATORS
USDA has Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators in each state — team members who can help you understand the full range of available assistance and connect you with organisations that specifically serve new farmers. Contact your state coordinator through farmers.gov at the planning stage — before you have made any commitments — so they can point you toward the right programmes for your specific operation type from the start.
STAGE 2 — FINDING YOUR LAND
Now that you know what you are growing, you know what land you need. A vegetable operation needs well-drained, fertile soil close to urban markets. A grain farm needs large, flat, accessible acreage. A livestock operation needs pasture, water access, and appropriate infrastructure. Your crop choice narrows your land search considerably — and makes it more productive.
Whether you buy or rent depends on your capital and your risk tolerance. Renting is almost always the smarter first move — it gives you flexibility while you learn the land and the business before making a permanent financial commitment. Nearly 40% of all US farmland is rented or leased — meaning there is an active and well-established market for farmland tenancy across every state.
USDA FSA LAND INVENTORY
FSA maintains an inventory of government-owned farmland available for public purchase. Beginning farmers have first priority to purchase these properties at the appraised value. Visit farmers.gov to browse available properties in your state.
FARMLAND INFORMATION CENTER — FARM LINK FINDER
The Farmland Information Center's Nationwide Farm Link Finder matches landowners with farmers looking for land to lease or buy. It is free to use and covers every state. Visit farmlandinfo.org to access the tool and browse their library of resources on leasing agreements, tenant rights, and land assessment checklists.
LAND FOR GOOD
Land for Good is a nonprofit organisation that helps new farmers navigate the land access process — from identifying suitable properties to negotiating lease agreements and understanding their legal rights as a tenant. Their resources are particularly useful if you are exploring shared land access, farm incubator programmes, or community-supported land models. Visit landforgood.org.
FARMS FOR A NEW GENERATION
Farms for a New Generation provides direct technical and financial assistance to farmers and landowners, with specialists available free of charge. Their Farm Link Finder connects land seekers with landowners across the country. Visit farmland.org/farms-for-a-new-generation.
AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST (AFT)
AFT maintains the nation's largest online library of farmland laws, lease documents, and land access resources through its Farmland Information Center. Their staff provide direct technical assistance by phone and email at no cost. Visit farmland.org.
CLEAR FRONTIER
Clear Frontier is a farmland investment fund that purchases conventional land and leases it back to farmers on long-term agreements — specifically designed to support the transition to organic and regenerative production. If you are interested in farming organically but do not yet have access to land, Clear Frontier's lease model offers something most conventional landlords do not: long-term lease security, transition support, and access to organic markets built into the arrangement from day one. They partner with family farming operations, offering long-term leases, transition support, and premium organic market access — with a particular focus on supporting younger farmers and women in agriculture. Visit clearfrontierag.com
NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION
The National Young Farmers Coalition is one of the most active advocacy and resource organisations specifically serving new and young farmers in the United States. Beyond policy advocacy, they maintain a network of beginning farmer resources, land access tools, and peer connections across every state. Their survey of over 10,000 young farmers consistently identifies affordable land access as the top challenge for new entrants — and their programmes are built directly around addressing it. Visit youngfarmers.org.
LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND FARM AUCTIONS
Farmland is also sold and leased through conventional real estate channels. Look for agents who specialise in agricultural real estate in your target county. Farm auctions through companies like Farmers National Company and United Country Real Estate are another active route, particularly for smaller parcels.
ONE IMPORTANT NOTE ON LEASES
Oral leases are common in agriculture, but they offer few protections for either party. A written lease agreement spells out the property description, length of the lease, payment terms, and rental rate — and it is worth the time and effort to develop one before you start farming. Land for Good and the National Ag Law Center both provide free lease agreement templates and guidance.
STAGE 3 — FINANCING YOUR OPERATION
Now that you know what you are growing and what land you need, you can calculate what it will actually cost to get started. Land, equipment, seeds, fertilizer, infrastructure, and operating expenses all need to be funded — and for most first-time farmers, some combination of loans, grants, and government support will be part of the picture.
FSA FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS
Not every farm requires a large capital outlay to get started — but when financing is needed, the FSA Farm Ownership Loan is designed specifically for farmers who cannot yet access conventional commercial financing. The programme offers up to 100% financing for purchasing land, improving operations, and increasing agricultural productivity, with loan amounts scaled to the size and needs of your specific operation. For those ready to purchase, a Beginning Farmer Down Payment option is also available. The maximum loan ceiling is $600,000 — but most beginning farmer loans are a fraction of that figure, tailored to what your operation actually requires. Contact your local FSA county office or visit fsa.usda.gov to explore what is available for your situation.
FSA OPERATING LOANS
Beyond land purchase, FSA also offers direct operating loans covering seeds, equipment, livestock, feed, fuel, and day-to-day farm expenses. Interest rates are lower than commercial lenders and repayment terms are structured around the agricultural cycle. Beginning farmers receive priority consideration.
FARM CREDIT SYSTEM
The Farm Credit System is a network of cooperatively owned lenders specifically focused on agricultural financing. Unlike commercial banks, Farm Credit lenders understand agriculture and structure loans around seasonal income, commodity price volatility, and multi-year investment cycles. Key institutions include Farm Credit Services of America, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, and Farm Credit East. Find your regional lender at farmcredit.com.
NRCS EQIP COST-SHARE
The Environmental Quality Incentives Programme (EQIP), administered by NRCS, reimburses a percentage of your eligible project costs after installation and verification. If you qualify as a Beginning Farmer or Rancher, EQIP can cover up to 90% of eligible project costs — including irrigation systems, fencing, soil health improvements, and energy efficiency upgrades. This is not a loan. It is a reimbursement for work you implement on your farm. Apply at your local NRCS office or through farmers.gov.
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
USDA Rural Development offers loan and grant programmes for rural businesses, some of which apply to farm operations — particularly for value-added processing, renewable energy installations, and rural business development. Visit rd.usda.gov to explore programmes relevant to your operation type.
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This is not a sponsored article. The organisations and resources listed here were selected independently based on their usefulness to farmers at each stage of the journey — not on the basis of any commercial relationship.
