Resources for Farmland Seekers
Starting a farm business? Contact and meet with your county University of Tennessee Extension Agent and/or your Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Agent and with your University of Tennessee regional farm management area specialist. Learn about what services the USDA Farm Service Agency offers, including loan and financial consultation; the Natural Resource Conservation Services, including GIS conservation maps; and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture who offer many services including a cost share program, the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).
Resources
Educational Materials
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Affording Ourland: Financial Literacy Guidebook for Young Farmers Provided by The Greenhorns
This is a fantastic guidebook aimed at helping beginning and/or young farmers explore their options for accessing land and credit to start farm businesses. Authors: Severine v T Fleming, Kristen Loria, Kendra Johnson and Cara Siprelle.
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California Farm Link
California Farm Link has an extensive general resource library on the following topics: farm business management, financing, land access and tenure, land trusts & conservation, farm succession planning, farm production resources, farm policy and advocacy, and more. Check it out!
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Farmland Information Center’s Farmland Protection Toolbox
A fact sheet providing a description of tools and techniques that state and local governments utilize to protect farmland and ensure the economic viability of agriculture, now and into the future.
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Finding Farmland from the National Young Farmers Coalition
Finding Farmland, a new tool from the National Young Farmers Coalition is designed to make the complex decision to buy farm land a little more transparent.
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Land for Good
A New England based Farm Link program, Land for Good offers helpful educational materials for all Farm Seekers and Landowners.
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Sample Short Term Lease
Created by Land For Good.
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The University of Tennessee Extension Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Community Economic Development Team
A source of educational programs and information about Agriculture, Natural Resources, and the Food System in Tennessee.
Service Providers
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Anthony Elms-Veteran
I currently farm 30 acres with livestock and market garden. I also operate Hope Valley Vet Retreat where we work with veterans and help then gain agriculture experience. Im looking for land in Lewis county area to lease to expand our operation. Please contact me with any leads.
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Anthony Elms-Veteran
I currently farm 30 acres with livestock and market garden. I also operate Hope Valley Vet Retreat where we work with veterans and help them gain agriculture experience. Im looking for land in Lewis county area to lease to expand our operation. Please contact me with any leads.
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Asbestos.com
Agricultural workers and farmers work on farms to produce crops, livestock and dairy products. Farmers are at risk of exposure to asbestos through soil, vermiculite and products on farming equipment and machinery.
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ATTRA, the National Agricultural Information Service
ATTRA has an incredible collection of publications on various sustainable farming topics, from field crops to farm start-up to business and risk management. Check out this database for all your educational resource needs!
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Center for Agriculture and Food Systems - Farmland Access Legal Toolkit
The goal of the Farmland Access Legal Toolkit is to provide a helpful resource for farmers who need land in order to farm, and for farmers who want to transition their land to another farmer, as part of their estate planning or for other reasons.
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Circle J Ranch, LLC
Farmer veteran and advocate/ consultant for Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development. Can provide education and training related to agriculture on my farm and can provide seminars and speaking engagements if desired.
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Custom Farm Services
Professional custom farm services available. We travel anywhere in TN. We can help you design/build user friendly simple to use irrigation systems, gardens, prep fields, install rows with/without plastic mulch, drip tape and more. We also have legal compliant hemp seed for sale.
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East Tennessee Young Farmers Coalition
The East TN chapter of the National Young Farmers Coalition is a networking and advocacy group for new and beginning farmers. We host 4-6 events/year (potlucks, farm tours, film screenings, etc). A great way to meet other local growers! Follow on FB, and join at youngfarmers.org
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Farm Credit Mid-America
Farm Credit Mid-America is a financial services cooperative serving farmers and rural residents in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Find more information about crop insurance, real estate, operating, equipment and building loans by calling 1-800-444-FARM.
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Farmer Veteran Coalition of TN
The mission of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Tennessee (FVC-TN) is to mobilize Tennessee veterans to feed America. We assist veterans by finding resources that will help them in starting their agricultural dream.
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First Bank & Trust Company - Ag Lending
FB&T Ag Lending offers a full array of banking and lending services for producers of all sizes and levels of experience. We are a USDA Preferred Lender offering guaranteed, 50/50 and stand alone lending products. Loans for land, equipment, crop, livestock and operating needs.
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Pick TN Products
We are a part of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which means that we are a non-for-profit service dedicated to connecting people everywhere to Tennessee farms, farmers, farmers markets and all the great things that come from our farms and food businesses.
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Southeast TN Young Farmer's Coalition
We are a chapter of the National Young Farmers Coalition that is active in southeast TN. We offer connections to our network of farmers who are working to help young and beginning farmers thrive in our area. We offer support, connection to area resources, and advocacy.
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Stanberry Insurance
John Patterson is a Commercial Agribusiness Agent providing Insurance Coverage options for Farm Property & Liability, Crops & Livestock, and every business from Farm to Table. Don't bet the farm, Protect the farm!
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Tennessee AgrAbility Project
Vision is to enhance quality of life farmers with disabilities to keep farming with the help of assistive technology and by connecting resources. Program of the University of Tennessee Extension, Tennessee State University Extension and East Tennessee Technology Access Center.
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Tennessee Beginning Farmer Development Program
Purpose: Provide research based educational resources and to connect Veterans who are beginning farmers or who are already farming to assist a National Farmer Veteran Coalition in forming a TN State Chapter. Looking for mentors! Partners: UT/TSU Extension + TDA + USDA
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Tennessee Cattlemen's Association
The TN Cattlemen's Association provides cattle producers in TN with an organization through which they may function collectively to protect their interests.
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Tennessee New Farmer Academy
The Tennessee New Farmer Academy is a seven-month certificate program designed for those with an interest in becoming agricultural entrepreneurs. Ideal candidates for this program include those who are new to agriculture, those who wish to transition into agriculture from another field such as military service or private sector work, or those who are looking for a post-retirement opportunity.
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The Field School, A Beginning Farmer Training Program
The Field School is a beginning farmer training program that provides students with an overview of small-scale farming in East Tennessee. We have to separate tracts. One is for whole farm business planning and the other is production planning.