What is a Young, Beginning, Small or Minority Farmer?
A Young farmer is one who is 35 years of age of younger. A Beginning farmer is one who has 10 or fewer years farming, ranching or aquatic agriculture experience. A Small farmer is one who generates less than $250,000 in annual gross agricultural or aquatic sales. Carolina Farm Credit believes that Young, Beginning, Small and Minority Farmer loans can be made on a safe and sound basis and supports making these types of loans part of the overall loan portfolio. In order to better serve the needs of these farmers, Carolina is a Farm Service Agency (FSA) Preferred Lender. To help manage credit risk, Carolina recommends participation in the FSA and/or other guarantee programs. The Board of Directors of Carolina Farm Credit believe our Young, Beginning, Small and minority Farmers are extremely important to the future of our cooperative. Over the last several years we have worked to develop educational opportunities for this group. One such event is the association’s Agricultural Leadership I
