Starting a farm is an exciting venture! There are a lot of things to consider whether you have land or are just starting to plan for your farm. Farming is more than planting and harvesting. There are major personal and financial considerations involved as well. The articles in this Getting Started Section are meant to provide a list of resources and considerations for whichever phase of the farm planning process you are in.
Understanding how different agencies define a farm or agriculture will help farm operations meet regulatory exemptions and often unlock state and federal financial benefits and incentives. This article takes a look at federal and state definitions and explains why they are important to know.
Starting a farm is an exciting venture! It's also a long game with personal and financial costs and benefits. Defining long range goals will help keep you motivated when the work gets tough and help with important decision making.
This page reviews types of farm enterprises (vegetable, livestock, etc) in relation to the amount of land available and names things to consider as you plan your farm enterprise.
N.C. Cooperative Extension has a variety of researched-based resources to help with production planning for any type of farm enterprise big or small! This page will help direct you to those resources.
There's a lot to learn as a new or beginning farmer. There are a variety of educational programs, events, and networks to help farmers gain skills and knowledge.
Funding a farm enterprise can be a big challenge. This page highlights farm loans, grants, and alternative funding opportunities along with some things to keep in mind when making a financial plan for your farm.
