How Farm Loans for Veterans Work
Many veterans choose to pursue agriculture after serving because of the opportunities the rural lifestyle offers.
Adapting to life after military service can be challenging, but farming offers many benefits to military veterans as they start their next journey.
“Veterans make really good farmers for a lot of reasons. I know that they’re dedicated, they are eager to learn, they are thankful for the opportunity to come and receive the training, and they are always eager to get back home and to put it into practice.”
For any beginning farmer, starting a farm can be challenging, but fortunately there are resources to help.
U.S. Veterans in Agriculture
Military veterans make significant contributions to American agriculture. According to the USDA, 370,619 producers have served or are serving in the military. This equates to 11 percent of total U.S. producers.
Over 44 percent of military recruits come from rural areas. And with rural lifestyles becoming more appealing, the Veterans Administration reports that nearly 25 percent of military veterans put down roots in rural areas after completing their military careers.
Resources for Military Veteran Farmers
One of the largest hurdles to starting a farm can be learning how to farm. Thankfully, there are organizations dedicated to helping veterans get started. Below is a list of some of these organizations:
- The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans start careers in agriculture. The FVC also encompasses Homegrown by Heroes, which is the official farmer veteran branding program of America and includes more than 1,800 members in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. Veteran farmers can apply to get the stamp on their products to signify that it was produced by a veteran.
- AgrAbility provides various resources like training and educational literature for veterans entering the ag industry.
- Growing Veterans has a farm that cultivates a supportive environment for veteran farmers to help them find community.
- Veterans to Farmers offers sustainable farming courses for veterans that teach them the ins and outs of agribusiness.
Farm Loans for Veterans
Another major hurdle to starting a farm is securing financing.
When searching for a lender, it’s important to ensure they have flexible loan programs that keep your long-term success at the forefront. Agriculture is a challenging industry, and finding a trustworthy lender can make all the difference.
AgAmerica’s land loans give veterans the flexibility they need when financing new land. Our dedicated team is passionate about sharing our agricultural expertise with our clients to help them make the best decisions for their operation.
We also value championing beginning farmers through helpful resources that help guide your journey into agriculture.
Military Veteran Farmer Success Stories
Veteran Farmer Strengthens Operation with Accelerated Loan
A multigenerational farmer and military veteran reached out to AgAmerica when falling grain prices and adverse weather events threatened the future of his operation. To boost immediate cash flow, AgAmerica consolidated his existing debt into a $3.8 million interest-only loan. When the farmer saw improvements, he returned to AgAmerica to transition a portion of his loan into a $2.3 million conventional term loan through the Accelerate Land Loan Program—setting him up for long-term success.
Farm Family with Military Heritage Refinances with AgAmerica
A fourth-generation Texas rancher grew up working alongside his father, the grandson of a World War II veteran, on their family ranch. When the time came to transition ownership to the next generation, the rancher turned to AgAmerica to restructure their farm debt. He was able to consolidate existing debt into a new structure that simplified the operation’s financing and increased its liquidity.
Start Your Next Journey with Flexible Financing
AgAmerica is a proud supporter of military veterans. We honor all that you have done for our country to protect our freedoms. We would be honored to play a role in helping you grow your farm operation. To help you in your agricultural journey, AgAmerica provides both financial and educational resources to help make your transition as smooth as possible.
Explore AgAmerica’s Financial Health Check tool to examine the health of your operation.
