References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Want to Buy a Farm?
Aging Farmers, Vanishing Farmland (Earth Island Journal, Winter 2022)
According to the American Farmland Trust, which works to preserve agricultural land and promote environmentally friendly farming, agricultural land in the US is being converted at a rate of 2,000 acres per day.
Want to Start a Farm? Good Luck Finding Land (The Alleghany Front, Dec. 3, 2021)
“It’s exceedingly difficult to build anything of significance under a traditional farm lease,” said Margaret Schlass, also a first-generation farmer who started her own farm in 2009, when she was 23 years old.
10 Tips on How to Find and Evaluate Farmland for Sale (List With Clever, Oct. 20, 2021)
However, buying a farm is much different than running a farm. Even small operations require countless hours of work, leave minimal (if any) room for vacation, and consist of ever changing tasks.
How To Buy A Farm: A Beginner’s Guide (Rocket Homes, May 20, 2021)
A mentor is an incredible resource to have. Not only will they help you buy a farm, but they can guide you in the process of running the farm. If you know farmers from your family or work experience, establish a relationship and nurture it. Find ways you can help them and they will return the favor.
How to Start a Farm: Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (United States Department of Agriculture)
USDA can help you get started or grow your operation through a variety of programs and services, from farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance.
Financing Farm Property
How to Get A Grant to Start a Farm? (Farm & Animals, Jun. 20, 2021)
It is possible to get a grant to help you start a farm if you fulfill specific criteria. Grants are often limited to a small number of applicants and for lesser amounts of money than loans. However, they do have one enormous advantage, you won’t need to worry about paying them off!
How to Get a Farm Ownership Loan with No Down Payment (Farm Raise, May 11, 2021)
Fortunately, there is a loan program that doesn’t require a down payment. These are the Farm Service Agency Loans. Beginning farmers qualify for FSA Loans, but the term “beginning” can be misleading. To the USDA, a “beginning” farmer has ten or fewer years of farming experience. But that qualification is not enough to secure an FSA loan in itself.
Financing a Farm Operation (Cornell Small Farms Program, Feb. 2, 2021)
Most banks have a commercial lending department to handle business loans, but few banks have an agricultural lending department prepared to work with agricultural business. Check with your bank to see if they write agricultural loans (most will if you have a Farm Service Agency or Small Business Administration guarantee).
Farm Loan Programs (U.S. Department of Agriculture - Farm Service Agency)
The Farm Service Agency offers loans to help farmers and ranchers get the financing they need to start, expand or maintain a family farm.
Funding Resources (Loans/Grants) (Beginning Farmers)
This page contains comprehensive information about finding financial help for starting your farm business.
Agricultural Property Values
Crazy, Amazing, Unbelievable: 2021 Farmland Market is One for the History Books (AgWeb, Dec. 16, 2021)
Hensley had a client who bought a northeast Iowa farm in July 2020 for around $8,500 per acre. They sold it this past September for $13,100 per acre. “In many ways, that sale sums up what has happened in the market this year,” he says.
If You Think Homes are Getting Pricey, Try Buying Some Kansas Farmland (KMUW, Aug. 24, 2021)
https://www.kmuw.org/economy/2021-08-24/if-you-think-homes-are-getting-p...
But increasing land values also come with a fair number of drawbacks. Nelson said rising land values could draw more non-farmer investors interested in the land, increasing demand and potentially pushing prices even higher. It also makes it more difficult for a farmer wanting to expand or for a recent college graduate wanting to get started.
Regional Look at Surging Farmland Values (Progressive Farmer, Jun. 4, 2021)
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/blogs/minding-ags-business/blog...
"Iowa cropland prices statewide are up 13% since January while Illinois's prices are up 10%," observed David Whitaker, area sales manager for Farmers National Company.
Hobby Farms
Things to Know About Running Your Own Hobby Farm (LandHub.com, Aug. 20, 2021)
Start small and don’t put pressure on yourself. The point of a hobby farm is not to make a profit—it’s to be pleasurable! So be patient and tack on new projects after you’ve had time to get comfortable with your current ones.
How to Start a Sustainable Hobby Farm (Westfield Insurance, May 19, 2021)
Set a budget: Starting a hobby farm has some upfront costs. Set your budget and stick to it so you don't run out of funds. Do your research: Spend time learning online, especially about what types of hobby farms work best for your budget and climate. Chat with other farmers about their experience and advice.
Your Question Answered: What is a Hobby Farm? (Vermont Life, Mar. 15, 2021)
If you’re starting a hobby farm also pay attention to this: The IRS disqualifies hobby farms from receiving tax breaks for small-farm owners but there are still allowances available. Section 183 of the U.S. tax code explains the details of those allowances. Small farms need to be ready to prove their business operations and income. Missing out on being designated a hobby farm means missing out on tax benefits.
Affluent Buyers Agree to Be Hobby Farmers at This Unusual Hawaiian Development (Mansion Global, May 16, 2021)
Back at Hokuli’a, the property’s resources allow homeowners to plant, cultivate, harvest and sell their chosen crops within the community or to local businesses. Much of the fresh produce finds its way to the development's clubhouse for sale to residents or to be served in the restaurant and bar.
Agrihoods
The Agrihoods are Coming (Agritecture, Jun. 17, 2021)
With agrihoods, the average American can know their farmer. These communities can connect humans back to the land, and they can create the opportunity to see and learn firsthand how food is grown and the time and energy it takes to feed a community.
A New Type of Neighborhood Growing in the Suburbs (The Emerald Review @ Boston University, Apr. 2021)
While agrihoods like Wetrock offer easy access to a high quality of life and local, more ecologically-minded food choices, they are often too expensive for the average person. As of March 2021, the average single-family home in Durham costs less than $300,000, but the cheapest option at Wetrock costs over $400,000, even though Wetrock is far from the city center. This price does not include the cost of the farm-share.
This Area in Detroit is Now America’s First Self-Sustainable Agrihood (The Garden Magazine, Feb. 13, 2021)
The three-acre development has vacant land, along with occupied and abandoned homes centered around a two-acre urban garden, with more than 300 organic vegetable varieties, like lettuce, kale, and carrots, as well as a 200-tree fruit orchard, with apples, pears, plums, and cherries, a children’s sensory garden, and more.
Useful Websites
Agricultural Statistics by State (National Agriculture Statistics Service)
State statistics, publications and news releases.
Agricultural Sustainability Institute (University of California, Davis)
We partner with farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, non-profits, policy makers, and local communities to ensure that our research and teaching respond to the needs of the people of California and the world.
American Farm Bureau Federation
The American Farm Bureau Federation is the Voice of Agriculture®. We are farm and ranch families working together to build a sustainable future of safe and abundant food, fiber and renewable fuel for our nation and the world.
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
ASFMRA is the premier organization for rural property professionals, focused on advancing the standards of the disciplines we represent through an unparalleled level of expertise and integrity.
Business Services (National Young Farmers Coalition)
We are actively developing new resources, trainings, and online tools for young and beginning farmers, including guidebooks on federal programs and regulations, in-person workshops and trainings, and a cooperatively farmer-owned software application to help solve fundamental marketing challenges.
Census of Agriculture (U.S. Department of Agriculture - National Agricultural Statistical Service)
The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.
Farm Answers (Center for Farm Financial Management – University of Minnesota, U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture)
Farm Answers is the USDA-NIFA beginning farmer and rancher (BFRDP) clearinghouse, providing resources to help you get started farming, as well as tools to help more seasoned producers succeed.
Farm Beginnings Program (Land Stewardship Project)
The Land Stewardship Project works on various fronts to ensure future generations of stewardship-minded farmers are successfully established on the land and in our communities. Whether you are dreaming of farming, in the process of establishing your own farm business, or have 10 years under your belt, LSP is here to support you and your farm.
Farm Business Toolbox (National Farmers Union)
Growing conditions and production practices present demanding challenges, but those are not the only skills today’s farmer must maintain. To thrive in changing markets, farmers must also operate with a high degree of business savvy. Farm business health can be divided into eight different topics for purposes of identifying a farm operation’s strong points and weak areas, and to direct efforts for business health improvement.
Service Center Locator (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
This web site will provide the address of a USDA Service Center and other Agency offices serving your area along with information on how to contact them.
Farm Loan Programs (U.S. Department of Agriculture - Farm Service Agency)
The Farm Service Agency offers loans to help farmers and ranchers get the financing they need to start, expand or maintain a family farm.
The REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI) elevates the level of professionalism in the land industry by providing all land professionals the expertise and camaraderie that are the foundation for becoming the best in the business.
Publication 225 (2021), Farmer's Tax Guide (Internal Revenue Service)
This publication explains how the federal tax laws apply to farming. Use this publication as a guide to figure your taxes and complete your farm tax return.
Resources (Cornell Small Farms Program)
Current information is essential to manage your farm and grow your business. The Cornell Small Farms Program has created a suite of resources based on these needs, ranging from production to policy and everything in-between.
Small Farm Funding Resources (U.S. Department of Agriculture - National Agricultural Library)
This guide contains information about issues to consider before starting a farming operation with links to full-text guides on how to start a farm business and develop business and marketing plans.
Regional Small Farms (Washington State University)
The Regional Small Farms Program supports small to mid-sized farms by leveraging the broad resources of a major university to resolve issues and create a positive food future for our region.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks
The Back to Basics Handbook: A Guide to Buying and Working Land, Raising Livestock, Enjoying Your Harvest, Household Skills and Crafts, and More (eBook)
The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner (eBook)
Buying Country Land (eBook)
Finding Good Farmland (eBook)
Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely (eBook)
Mini Farming (Audiobook)
The Profitable Hobby Farm: How to Build a Sustainable Local Foods Business (eBook)
The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Food (eBook)
The Ultimate Guide to Urban Farming (eBook)
The Weekend Homesteader: A Twelve-Month Guide to Self-Sufficiency (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
As a member benefit, the following resources and more are available for loan through the NAR Library. Items will be mailed directly to you or made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
Rural Property Valuation (Chicago, IL: Appraisal Institute, 2017) HD1393 .R864 2017
Journals Available through EBSCO (E)
Agricultural Research - Research articles on food, nutrition and aspects of farming and pest control published by the Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
Farmers Weekly - News & views about the business of farming, and topical technical information from independent experts designed to help farmers manage their businesses more effectively.
Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers – Articles represent a cross-section of happenings in the various agricultural professions.
Journal of Farm Management - Publishes articles that survey and report on agricultural business management, including topics such as production, marketing, agricultural merchandising, new developments, research, and successful achievements in agricultural business management.
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The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.