Small, urban and specialty farm financing

Finance a small enterprise on its own production model

Market gardens, urban growing sites, apiaries and other specialty farms often need modest amounts for several essential items rather than one large land purchase. FSA operating microloans are designed to accommodate smaller and nontraditional agricultural operations. A plan should explain the production method, customer demand and how the site will remain available long enough to recover the investment. For a leased plot or greenhouse, the agreement’s duration and the right to install irrigation or structures can be as important as the equipment budget.

Check the site and route to customers

Prepare a detailed sales calendar for subscriptions, market stalls or wholesale deliveries and allow for unsold produce, packing and transport. Small scale does not mean that food-safety, zoning or water requirements disappear. USDA’s business-planning resources help organize those operational questions before borrowing. Prioritize equipment that addresses a measured bottleneck, and distinguish reusable assets from inputs consumed each season. A staged borrowing plan can be easier to evaluate than purchasing an entire planned production system before the farm has tested its customers and yields.