National Young Farmers Coalition: Finding Farmland Calculator
The Finding Farmland Calculator is a unique mortgage calculator designed to teach farmers about their financing options and creditworthiness when buying farmland. Build one or more purchase scenarios, then compare the total costs, monthly payments, and your scores on several financial ratios. Download the results to have on hand when meeting with a loan officer.
They also have a Finding Farmland Course:A series of lessons that will prepare you to confidently approach the financial decisions related to acquiring your first farm.
Farmland Information Center
The Farmland Information Center (FIC) is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship. It is a partnership between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and American Farmland Trust (AFT), authorized by the federal Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA). Find Case Studies, Fact Sheets and more.
Land for Good: Guide for Land Access
Land for Good, based in New England, works to develop, promote and support diversity and innovation around farmland tenure. They seek approaches that benefit farmers as well as landowners and the land. They take a systems view. This means They address all aspects of the issue and work with all who have a stake in the future of farming. They have created a toolbox full of resources for land seekers, land owners, and beyond.
California Farm Link
We know it’s not Iowa, but California FarmLink’s mission is to link independent farmers and ranchers with the land and financing they need for a sustainable future. They have resources for Land Access including lease templates, farmland assessment checklist, Farm Succession Guidebook and more.
American Farmland Trust (AFT)
AFT works to stop the loss of farmland by the acre and by the inch. They advance farmland protection through agricultural conservation easements, smart growth, and smart tax policies. They advance farming practices that prevent erosion and rebuild soil health through the use of contour farming, no-till, cover crops, crop rotations, intensive rotational grazing, and precision agriculture. They help existing farmers and ranchers stay in business, and work to attract and support the next generation.
SILT (Sustainable Iowa Land Trust)
SILT launched by 25 of the most respected leaders in sustainable agriculture, planning and development met to save and protect small, diverse, clean farms that feed Iowans. SILT is dedicated to permanently protecting land to grow healthy food for generations to come. Their model takes land speculation and mortgage interest out of the equation for future healthy food farmers. The results of their work includes affordable farmland near markets for our food farmers, and therefore a secure, healthy food system for the future, more fresh food in our community, clean water, fresh air and healthy soils.
