YBS

Rise and shine with financing from Alabama Ag Credit. Whether you're just starting out or expanding your operation, we have the expertise in agriculture and rural financing to help you succeed.

New Generation Loan Program

Because the future of American agriculture depends on a new generation of ag producers, we offer a program with flexible underwriting to accommodate the unique needs of young, beginning, and small (YBS) farmers.

Our New Generation Loan Program makes our agricultural loans and land loans available to creditworthy YBS applicants. This program is designed to encourage lifelong lending relationships. In fact, most of our borrowers fall under one or more YBS categories.

New Generation financing is available for:

• Land purchases, improvements, and refinancing
• Agricultural production expenses
• Livestock purchases and expenses
• New and used equipment

To learn more about our New Generation Loan Program, including requirements and limitations, please contact the Alabama Ag Credit location near you.

Eligibility

• The New Generation Loan Program is open to farmers, ranchers, and producers or harvesters of aquatic products who meet YBS criteria:
  
  • Young: Age 35 or younger
  • Beginning: One who has assumed the control and risk of an agricultural operation for 10 years or less
  • Small: Less than $250,000 in gross annual farm sales
• The borrower must be the farm's or property's sole owner/operator.

YBS Advisory Committee

Established in 2019, the YBS Advisory Committee consists of Young, Beginning, and Small Farmer members of the association. Each member serves a two-year term. The main objective for the advisory committee is to meet with Association leadership to help drive its efforts to fulfill and understand the needs of young, beginning, and small farmers.
Additionally they:

• Assist the Association in developing marketing and lending objectives including but not limited to; products, services, rates, and underwriting standards in order to best reach the YBS demographic in our market and further meet the mission of the Farm Credit System.
• Represent the Association at agricultural events and meetings as well as represent the YBS Advisory Committee to the Board of Directors.
• Provide valuable input on policy from the viewpoint of the YBS Farmer to help the association remain relevant as the next generation of agricultural producers begins to become established.
• Learn ways YBS farmers can further be involved in both the Association and the agricultural community as they continue their careers.

June 2021- June 2023 Members Include:

Alabama Cooperative Extension Resources

Available at the touch of a finger, the Farming Basics app from Alabama Extension is a science- and research-based information gateway for small and beginning farmers. The app will serve as a pocket guide to help growers answer everyday questions in the field.

Beginning Start-Up Farmers