Whether you are an experienced farmer or just getting started, it’s important for you to know that there are resources available to help you succeed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a significant source of educational, financial, and technical assistance for your farm business. MIFFS has collected information for you on different USDA agencies and financial assistance programs for your toolbox, and produced several step-by-step guides to assist you in navigating these programs.

First of all, it is important to understand that these resources are available thanks to the farm bill.  

What is the Farm Bill?

The farm bill is comprehensive legislation that governs federal farm, food, fiber, and forestry programs and rural policies that began during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Programs in the bill touch impact our everyday life - whether we are farmers or consumers - through programs ranging from beginning farmer training, to healthy food access to low-income families, and crop insurance, to name a few.

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The farm bill expires and gets updated every five years - with the last farm bill passed in 2014. The future of these important programs relies on support from everyone - from farmers to eaters and everyone in between! The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities, is a great place to start learning how you can get involved. See how you can take action.