Resources for New and Beginning Farmers

Shannon DillUniversity of Maryland Extension

– Talbot Countysdill@umd.edu

Square One

1. Product Development2. Marketing3. Cost of Production

1. Product Development

• Resources– Land – Land Link Program (MDFarmLink)

• Websoil survey, zoning, covenants – Extension Offices and Soil Districts– Experience or Mentorship (NGO)

Unique, Different and Competition

• The product should have a place in the market – what is that products niche

• Beginning farmers often don’t have a scale of production so they need to have something unique

http://extension.umd.edu/newfarmer

Social Media:https://www.facebook.com/beginningfarmersuccess

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SZJWbeP7lSrYDw5uL-nsw

Many other beginning farmer programs

• Cornell -http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/beginning-farmer/

• USDA - https://newfarmers.usda.gov/• NGO - http://www.beginningfarmers.org/• https://www.futureharvestcasa.org/

2. Marketing

• Who are your consumers• Why will they buy• Where do you sell

Marketing

• https://www.localharvest.org• https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news• Local farmers market reports

– http://marylandsbest.net/maryland-market-news/ - can list your farm and get prices and do market research

3. Cost of Production• Potential yields and sales associated

with the product• Costs associated with the establishment

and maintenance of a product• Enterprise budgets• Will need to start with estamations

Financing and Grants• Banks• Low interest Farm Loans – FSA• Statewide programs – (MD MARBIDCO)• No grants for start up – grants for

production, expansion– SARE, USDA Value Added, Rural

Development

Right Mix of Resources• Educational Websites and Social Media• Conferences and Workshops• Hands on and field opportunities• Trusted individuals to discuss with• Support system for the business –

partners, family, friends• Open Mind

Review

1. Work on a good product – something quality and unique

2. Know you market and who your customer will be

3. Work towards profit

Questions?

This project was supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant #2016-49400-19552. To find more resources and programs for beginning farmers and ranchers please visit www.Start2Farm.gov, a component of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.