Chris Barnes grew up farming with his grandfather and knew one day he would farm the land himself. Chris purchased the family farm in Bastrop County, Texas, while actively serving in the U.S. military. In the beginning, he spent backbreaking hours in the Texas heat clearing brush by hand. Then he found a USDA program that provided technical and financial title loans Maryland assistance to help him with the process.
Veteran Doug Havemann and his wife Melissa own Mesquite Field Farm in Nixon, Texas. They developed a conservation plan for their beef cattle operation using technical assistance provided by USDA.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a larger percent of veterans live in rural America than members of the general public. At USDA, we want to ensure that veterans looking to return to the family farm – and those starting a new farming career – have the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.
USDA works to ensure that veterans looking to start a new career on a farm have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
We can help you with funding.
Recently, USDA announced a new partnership with Texas AM’s AgriLife Extension Service that will help veterans interested in USDA farm ownership loans get the training they need to qualify. Typically, qualifying loan applicants must participate in the business operations of a farm for at least three years during a 10-year period. Through this project, participants receive intensified production and financial management training that they can combine with previous military leadership or management experience to satisfy this requirement in less time.
This enhanced farm loan opportunity is part of Texas AM AgriLife Extension Service’s Battleground to Breaking Ground program, which has helped more than 900 veterans and beginning farmers and ranchers with their agribusiness. Lees verder