Blog

Farm Side Hustles: Boost Your Ranch or Farm Income

January 2, 2024
Sometimes selling one crop just won’t cut it. Learn 12 ways to earn extra money and make your operation more profitable.

Top 5 USDA Grants and Funding for Agriculture

December 5, 2023
There are tons of programs out there for producers to try conservation farming, buy a farm or improve their marketing. Here are the top 5 and how to be a competitive candidate.

How Can I Get Funding for Solar Panels on My Farm?

December 5, 2023
The emerging field of “agrivoltaics” is a new type of solar energy system that promotes both crop cultivation and energy production. See how to get solar panel funding for your operation.

Ultimate Farm Tax Filing Guide for 2024

December 1, 2023
Check out these tips for filing taxes for your farm or ranch and see how FarmRaise may be able to help.

When Are EQIP and CSP Applications Due in 2024?

November 30, 2023
Find out the deadline for your state so you can submit your 2024 EQIP and CSP applications with confidence.

What are FSA Loans and How Do I Apply?

November 22, 2023
Explore FSA farm loan programs, from guaranteed and direct loans to land contract guarantees, designed to empower farmers on their journey to financial success in the agriculture industry.

Mastering Schedule F: How to Maximize Your Farm’s Tax Deductions

November 22, 2023
Master Schedule F for farm tax deductions and tax savings. Learn how to maximize deductions, manage expenses, and reduce tax liability effectively for your farm business.

Cracking the Code: Simplified IRS Schedule F Instructions Line by Line

November 22, 2023
Our expert guide simplifies IRS Schedule F, decoding every line for stress-free filing. Navigate tax season with confidence.

2024 Tax Credit Tips for Farm Businesses

March 12, 2024
Are you a farmer or rancher looking for tax credits? Here's where to start.

Farming for Beginners: Securing Money to Start a Farm

November 30, 2023
Embark on your farming journey with our comprehensive guide, covering USDA funding, FSA microloans, and crucial tips for aspiring farmers. Learn the essentials to kickstart your successful farm business today.

What Is a Farm Number? Why Is It So Important for USDA Funding?

December 4, 2023
An FSA farm number identifies your farm’s location and allows you to apply for USDA funding like grants, cost shares and loans. See how to apply for and use a farm number.

Getting Into Carbon Markets: Top 5 Companies

December 7, 2023
Carbon credit markets are becoming popular ways for farmers to help companies offset their greenhouse gas emissions while making some additional income. See how carbon markets work and top companies for farmers.

Feeling Dry? Water Conservation Tips and Funding for Producers Facing Drought

July 5, 2023
There’s funding for rural and urban farmers facing drought, threatened by wildfire or proactively preparing for disaster. See how to improve your water management plan.

Farmer's Guide to EQIP: Funding for Farm Conservation

May 13, 2023
EQIP grants an average of $30,000 to producers to try out conservation practices on the farm or ranch. Read these FarmRaise tips so you can be a competitive applicant for the EQIP cost-share program.

How to Maximize Your Tax Refund if You Got an EQIP Grant

April 19, 2023
Got an EQIP grant and wondering about what it means for your taxes? Before you submit your Schedule F tax form to the IRS, see how you might be able to save your farm some money by properly filing your EQIP grant this tax season.

What is the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and How to Apply

April 19, 2023
If you’re ready to bring your farm products to market, check out this detailed application guide for VAPG grant for up to $250,000 in funding.

Tax Time: What Is the Schedule F Form?

December 5, 2023
Farm taxes can get complicated. Many farmers don’t know whether they even qualify to file a Schedule F form. This Schedule F guide will make your tax season more manageable.

10 Keys to Make Your Struggling Farm Into A Successful One

February 24, 2023
Farming isn’t just tough work manually. It’s also tough work financially. Learn some keys to success to boost your operation’s profitability, and let’s save family farms together.

Farm Budgeting: How to Start and Stick to a Cashflow Budget

January 8, 2023
There’s a new budgeting app out, and it’s made specifically for farmers. Can it really help you track your daily expenses and make your operation more profitable?

Budget Barriers: Types of Ranch and Farm Fence Funding

April 19, 2023
Farmers and ranchers may be eligible for funding to install fencing for rotational grazing among other purposes. See how much you may eligible for.

Qualifying for REAP: On-Farm Energy Grants and Loans from the USDA

November 14, 2022
See how to use REAP funds to purchase, install and construct renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements on your farm or ranch.

Can I Use VA Benefits to Buy Farmland? Tips for Veteran Farmers

April 19, 2023
As a result of your military service, the USDA may prioritize your grant funding applications. See this and other funding tips for veteran farmers and ranchers.

SARE: USDA Grants for Producers to Experiment and Educate

April 19, 2023
Producers do a lot of research on the farm and ranch by examining their land and testing new methods. See if a SARE grant could help fund your next “experiment.”

Best Cover Crops and How to Get Funding for Them

December 14, 2022
Take care of your farm or ranch for future generations using our guide to cover crops. Spoiler: you may also be eligible for funding for your cover crop initiatives.

USDA Organic Certification: Transitioning to Organic Farming

October 17, 2022
Transitioning to organic farming can take years but may be worth the financial and sustainability impacts on your farm. Learn how to get funding for USDA organic certification.

Spence Farm: Lessons from a Successful Farming Collaborative

August 17, 2023
The FarmRaise team visited Spence Farm to learn about how to use regnerative farming and collaborative practices to boost farm profitability and build a successful farming community. See what we learned!

Regenerative Agriculture: A Profitable Way to Mitigate Climate Change

April 19, 2023
Investing in soil health is good for the land, but do farmers get economic benefits, too? When my family transitioned our livestock operation to holistic grazing practices, we were surprised.

Funding Programs To Boost or Start A Hemp Farm

November 7, 2022
Growing industrial hemp is legal in the United States. Cannabis enthusiasts celebrate! There are a few nuances you need to know about Mary Jane before you start courting the idea of getting into the industry.

Conservation Easements 101 - A Farmer’s Guide

August 4, 2022
Get a crash course on the basics of conservation easements. An easement is a great tool for farmers to get cash to preserve their land for future generations or to receive tax benefits for their conservation efforts.

Buying a Farm: How to Get a Farm Loan with No Down Payment

April 19, 2023
First time farmers often ask “how can I get a farm ownership loan if I can’t afford the downpayment?” There’s a federal loan program out there that doesn’t require a down payment. See how to get help applying for FSA microloans.

Start a Farm With Government Grant Money

April 19, 2023
Learn how to qualify for farm financing, navigate grants for farmers and secure the support you need to be successful in getting your farm going.

Best Accounting Software for Farmers - Quickbooks Review

September 12, 2023
Not all accounting software are alike. We weigh the pros of cons so you can decide if Quickbooks is right for your farm bookkeeping needs.

Farm Finances: Farming in an Economic Downturn

August 26, 2022
When times get tough, farmers and ranchers come together to help each other out. Here's insight from a fellow farmer about ways to financially take care of your operation when the economy is slumping.

Historically Underserved Producers: Is There Funding  for Women, Minority and Veteran Farmers?

July 13, 2022
The USDA often talks about special programs available to “historically underserved” farmers and ranchers. So, who is historically underserved and what could it mean for your operation if you fit in the characteristics?

How to Get More USDA Grants to Small Farms

August 7, 2022
Why do most farmers who apply for USDA cost-share not get funded? After processing hundreds of EQIP applications, we've learned why it's so hard for small farmers to access USDA farm grants.

Top Federal Grants for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

August 7, 2022
For new farmers and ranchers, three major USDA grants can offer you money to boost your operation. We lay out the details, pros, cons and how FarmRaise can help you apply.

Should I Apply for the USDA’s Partnership of Climate-Smart Commodities Program?

August 7, 2022
We looked into the USDA's new Climate-Smart Commodities program so you don't have to. It's a 2022 initiative to encourage non-UDSA entities to contribute in the fight against...

Funding to Help US Meat Producers

November 14, 2022
Learn about some key funding programs available to help US meat producers

Grant Programs when Fertilizer Costs are High

November 14, 2022
In this post, we outline some measures farmers can take to help offset rising fertilizer prices

The World of Farm Grants: 3 Common Myths and Why They’re Wrong

November 14, 2022
Navigating farm grants can be time-consuming. Fortunately, our team at FarmRaise breaks it down in a way that’s easy to understand. We’ve helped thousands of farmers identify funding for their farms, learning a lot along the way. Here we explore 3 of the most common “myths” we hear farmers perpetuate about grant funding, and reveal the truth.

What’s up with the CRP?

November 14, 2022
Are you a farmer working a portion of land that’s tough to farm? Maybe it’s on a steep hillside or it’s extra wet or it’s challenging to physically navigate. Perhaps you’ve asked yourself “I wonder if there’s a better way to manage this part of my land in a way that builds my farm’s profitability?” Enter the Conservation Reserve Program.

3 Ideas for Grant-Funded Farm Projects

February 28, 2023
Many producers ask our team what types of projects can be funded by various government grant programs. The short answer is that there are tons of project ideas that are competitive for federal grant funding. We wrote this quick guide to explore just a few options, bucketed across three areas below.
What grants are you eligible for?
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