The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is taking steps to bridge the generational gaps that keep emerging farmers from accessing land and capital.
"That's the conversation we're having a lot right now, and it's an ongoing process in terms of land availability," said Patrice Bailey, assistant commissioner with MDA, during a recent episode of Shop Talk hosted online by the Minnesota Farm Bureau. "One of the things we're working on is to reach into communities that normally agriculture is absent from."
Bailey said that means the department is making sure that communities of Indigenous, women, LGBTQ, veterans and more are hearing about opportunities they are highlighting.
One of the MDA's programs is a website called FarmLink , which Bailey likes to think of as a "Craigslist for farmland." The site features a list of farm properties in Minnesota that are for sale or rent, and gives existing farmers with no current heir a chance to give a beginning farmer an opportunity.
"FarmLink offers a great process for someone to actually post the fact that they are looking for someone to buy or rent their land," Bailey said.
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Contact information is given for each property up for sale or rent, and any other information that isn't available may be found by calling the MDA at 320-842-6910. The department encourages direct contact with sellers, renters or realtors.
Microloan program doubles funding
The MDA also announced this week that emerging farmers can receive more help getting started on farmland, as the department's microloan program doubled its maximum loan amount. The loan program is designed to help nontraditional farmers start or expand their operations.
The Pilot Agricultural Microloan Program from the MDA's Rural Finance Authority can be used for working capital (annual costs such as seed, feed, fertilizer and land rent) or equipment and other farm asset purchases with a common useful life of 10 years or less. The Minnesota Legislature this year appropriated funds to expand the maximum loan amount from $10,000 to $20,000.
“We know that agricultural opportunity is not equally available to all Minnesotans. We also know that there is an urgent need to address the future of farming in Minnesota,” Bailey said. “This is one more tool we can use to increase our support for farmers who have traditionally faced barriers to the education and resources necessary to succeed.”
Loans are obtained through participating local lenders. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
Be a resident of Minnesota.
Be a member of a Protected Group or a qualified noncitizen as defined under Minnesota statutes.
Use the funds toward production and marketing of specialty crops or eligible livestock.
Demonstrate an ability to repay the loan.
For more information and to apply, visit the Pilot Agricultural Microloan Program web page.
