Private / NonprofitRolling / continuousLoan / creditNew York only
Black Farmer Fund Investment Program
Black Farmer Fund
Community-governed fund investing in Black farmers and food businesses in New York State and the Northeast, using flexible loans and equity-like terms plus wraparound technical support.
The eligibility and application details below are general guidance for this kind of program, not text copied from the funder. The facts above — who runs it, how much, and when it closes — are hand-checked. Always confirm specifics on the official page.
Am I eligible?
Farm or business must operate in NY
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Non-profits, co-ops, and community organizations may apply
Beginning, veteran, and historically underserved producers are prioritized
Credit history, repayment ability, and collateral are reviewed
Business plan and cash-flow projections generally required
How to apply
1Talk to a Black Farmer Fund loan officer about the size and purpose of the loan
2Assemble financials: balance sheet, income history, and projections
3Submit the application with your business plan and collateral information
4Respond to underwriting questions, then close and draw funds
What you'll need
Farm or business name, address, and tax ID / EIN
Three years of tax returns (or projections if you're just starting)
Current balance sheet and cash-flow projection
Business plan and description of what the loan will buy
Collateral list and any existing debt schedule
Timeline & contact
Typically 30–90 days from application to closing, faster for microloans
Get help: Black Farmer Fund — contact details are on the official program page
Ready to apply?
Applications go through Black Farmer Fund, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.
Government-direct operating credit for seed, tools, livestock, fuel, labor, and family living expenses. Designed for growers who can't get commercial credit on reasonable terms — including very small operations.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
USDA guarantees up to 95% of a loan made by your own bank or credit union, which often turns a 'no' from a commercial lender into a 'yes' for a small or unconventional operation.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Rolling through participating intermediary lenders
Microloans and free business coaching delivered through local lenders for rural businesses with 10 or fewer employees — a good fit for farm stands, CSAs, and small food ventures.
Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply