Technical Assistance
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There are many programs available to support farmers. Start with this fact sheet to understand your options and determine which program is the right fit for you. From there, explore programs by topic or browse the full list at the bottom of the page.
Find the Right Technical Assistance for You
| Provider | description |
|---|---|
| UK Cooperative Extension Service | Their mission, simply stated, is to make a difference in the lives of KY citizens through research-based education. |
| Kentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development | The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) is a non-profit organization established to facilitate agricultural and rural business development in Kentucky. They provide educational opportunities, technical assistance and business support services to new and existing agribusinesses. |
| KY Department of Agriculture | The Department of Agriculture was created to promote the interests of agriculture and horticulture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is governed by Kentucky Revised Statues 246 – 263. The first agricultural government unit in Ky was established in 1817. |
| USDA Farm Service Agency | Farm Service Agency's mission is to equitably serve all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA is also a lending source that helps Beginning Farmers finance their business plan for farm development or other miscellaneous farming needs. |
| USDA/NIFA: Farm Answers | Farm Answers is the USDA-NIFA beginning farmer and rancher (BFRDP) clearinghouse, providing resources to help you get started farming, as well as tools to help more seasoned producers succeed. Farm Answers is the Largest Source of Information for Beginning Farmers |
| UK Center for Crop Diversification | The University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification (CCD) helps farmers and businesses to plan, grow, and market better. We create and curate up-to-date, relevant, and accessible publications, price reports, videos, and in-person training opportunities. |
| Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office | KSGDO provides administrative support for the Kentucky Goat Producers Association and the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association and serves as the hub for small ruminant production and consumption information. |
| Provider | description |
|---|---|
| Kentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development | The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) is a non-profit organization established to facilitate agricultural and rural business development in Kentucky. They can help guide you through grant and loan options applicable to your farm business. |
| Kentucky State University Small-Scale Farm Grant Program | The Kentucky State University (KYSU) Center for the Sustainability of Farms and Families (CSFF) works to develop resources to provide assistance to small-scale farms |
| USDA Rural Development | They promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. They offer technical assistance and information to help ag producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations. |
| Provider | description |
|---|---|
| SARE | Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) offers farmer-driven, grassroots grants and education programs. Since 1988, SARE grantees have been putting the principles of sustainable agriculture into practice on farms and ranches in every state and island protectorate |
| County Extension Agents | Connect with your local Extension Agent for education programming in your area. |
| Provider | description |
|---|---|
| National Center for Appropriate Technology | Since 1976 NCAT helps people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. NCAT is a trusted, practical connector for individuals and businesses who are working to leave our world better than we found it. |
| USDA: NRCS | National Resources Conservation Service provides America's farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too. |
| Provider | description |
|---|---|
| National AgrAbility Project | The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. |
| Provider | description |
|---|---|
| Veteran's Business Outreach Centers | VBOC Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning military members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. |
| Homegrown by Heroes | We cultivate a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develop viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. |
| Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund | The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. |
UK Cooperative Extension Service
Our mission, simply stated, is to make a difference in the lives of KY citizens through research-based education.
Click HereKentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) is a non-profit organization established to facilitate agricultural and rural business development in Kentucky. We provide educational opportunities, technical assistance and business support services to new and existing agribusinesses.
Click HereKentucky Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture was created to promote the interests of agriculture and horticulture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is governed by Kentucky Revised Statues 246 – 263. The first agricultural government unit in Ky was established in 1817.
Click HereUSDA Farm Service Agency
Farm Service Agency's mission is to equitably serve all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA is also a lending source that helps Beginning Farmers finance their business plan for farm development or other miscellaneous farming needs.
Click HereUSDA/NIFA: Farm Answers
Farm Answers is the USDA-NIFA beginning farmer and rancher (BFRDP) clearinghouse, providing resources to help you get started farming, as well as tools to help more seasoned producers succeed. Farm Answers is the Largest Source of Information for Beginning Farmers
Click HereUK Center for Crop Diversification
The University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification (CCD) helps farmers and businesses to plan, grow, and market better. We create and curate up-to-date, relevant, and accessible publications, price reports, videos, and in-person training opportunities.
Click HereKentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office
KSGDO provides administrative support for the Kentucky Goat Producers Association and the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association and serves as the hub for small ruminant production and consumption information.
Click HereKentucky State University Small-Scale Farm Grant Pgoram
The Kentucky State University (KYSU) Center for the Sustainability of Farms and Families (CSFF) works to develop resources to provide assistance to small-scale farms
Click HereUSDA: Rural Development
We promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. We offer technical assistance and information to help ag producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations.
Click HereSARE
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) offers farmer-driven, grassroots grants and education programs. Since 1988, SARE grantees have been putting the principles of sustainable agriculture into practice on farms and ranches in every state and island protectorate.
Click HereUSDA: NRCS
National Resources Conservation Service provides America's farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too.
Click HereNational Center for Appropriate Technology
Since 1976 NCAT helps people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. NCAT is a trusted, practical connector for individuals and businesses who are working to leave our world better than we found it.
Click HereNational AgrAbility Project
The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America.
Click HereVeteran's Business Outreach Centers
VBOC Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning military members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.
Click HereHomegrown by Heroes
We cultivate a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develop viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities.
Click HereFarmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching
Click HereFind Your Local Extension Office
Need help finding the right resource? Connect with your local Extension Agent for guided support.