Who is eligible for Grow Ahead?
Our Grow Ahead loan program is specifically designed for young and beginner farmers to replace the uncertainty of starting a farm with reliable financing and support. We define “young” and “beginner” as follows:
- Young farmers: Farmers 35 years old or younger
- Beginner farmers: Farmers with 10 years or less experience farming on their own
Outside of Grow Ahead loans, we also offer agriculture loans for ‘small’ farmers; those with an annual gross cash income of $350,000 or less.
What are the benefits of the Grow Ahead loans?
When you Grow Ahead with our beginner farm loans, you get access to benefits like:
- Relaxed underwriting requirements
- Customized loan terms
- Discounted pricing and reduced fees
- Collaboration with FSA loan programs
- Farm Credit membership, making you eligible to receive patronage
FarmStarter Loans
The FarmStarter microloan program is an exciting part of Grow Ahead, specifically designed for promising young AND beginning farmers with limited credit and collateral. Applicants are given consideration for qualitative attributes such as experience, attitude, and various aspects of a business plan including cash flow, marketing and risk management.
Grow Ahead grant and award programs for new farmers
Grow Ahead currently includes the following grant and award programs:
- JumpStart Grant Program
The JumpStart grant program was created for new and beginner farmers who:
- Have two years or less farming experience OR
- Are planning to start farming in the next two years
Grant applicants must also live in one of the counties Horizon Farm Credit services, but they do not need to be a customer. Other eligibility requirements include:
- Completed Application
- Contact information
- Series of Essays
- Completed Business Plan (here’s a template)
- Completion of the Ag Biz Basics course
In the JumpStart program, applicants are judged solely on their application. For more detailed information on how the application and essay is judged, please check out our JumpStart page.
If you’re selected as a grant recipient, you’ll be required to complete a grant acceptance agreement, confirming that you’ll only use the awarded grant on agriculture-related expenses.
- Farmers on the Rise Award Program
Farmers on the Rise is a monetary award program for beginner farmers with 3 to 10 years of experience. Like JumpStart, applicants must live in one of the counties that Horizon Farm Credit services, but they do not have to be a customer.
Applicants are judged on two rounds by qualified industry representatives:
- (Round 1) Written Application
- Agriculture and Growth
- Financial Character
- Leadership and Community Involvement
- Environmental Stewardship
- (Round 2) In-Person Interview
- Finalists named from Round 1's written application review will move on to Round 2
For more detailed information on how each round is judged, please check out our Farmers on the Rise page.
Once chosen, winners will participate in an awards ceremony where they will be recognized.
- (Round 1) Written Application
Ready to get started?
Get the financing you need at a pace that works for you. Reach out to one of our Farm Credit experts today.
"The traditional banks were not interested in lending to me, and so when I reached out to Farm Credit, they actually believed me."