Growing Forward
The Growing Forward® program offers young and first time farmers the loan and financing options, financial education, and support they need to build a thriving operation.
Get StartedPreparing Agriculture’s Next Generation
A sustainable future for agriculture hinges on a financially secure generation of young and beginning farmers. Our Growing Forward® program helps reduce the barriers for first time farmers by providing access to the farm loan and financial education opportunities they need to build a thriving operation. To be eligible, farmers must be 35 years old or younger or have less than 10 years of farming experience.
Eligibility & Requirements
- Be age 35 or younger OR have less than 10 years of farming experience
- Complete a loan application and a five page business plan:
- General business plan template
- Cattle operation business plan template
- Attend one Know to Grow® conference
Interested in learning more about Growing Forward? Get started by filling out the form below and one of our team members will be in touch.
Growing Forward got my brother and I thinking about goals and where we want to be.
Are you an innovative young or beginning farmer? If so, check out our Forward Thinker award.
Helping Young & Beginning Farmers Grow
Get Started
Please answer the following question.
Are you 35 years or younger, or have less than 10 years of farming experience?
* Loans and leases are subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Farm Credit Mid-America is an equal opportunity lender.
† Patronage is an annual decision made by the Board of Directors to return earnings to eligible customers. To learn more about patronage or patronage eligibility, please visit our Patronage page.
Farm Credit Mid-America territory includes Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. Arkansas includes Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha (northeast of the White River), Greene, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips, Poinsett, and St. Francis counties. Missouri includes Carter, Ripley and Wayne counties. Kentucky excludes Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall and McCracken counties. Ohio excludes Crawford, Hancock, Lucas, Marion, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Wood and Wyandot counties. We serve all counties in Indiana and Tennessee.