Coalition launches mentorship for farmers

WEST DES MOINES — The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers launched the Building Your Livestock Legacy Program this month.

The a self-guided, online mentorship initiative is designed to connect aspiring livestock farmers with essential financial resources and with established farmers who want to pass their farm operations on to the next generation.

Brian Waddingham, CSIF executive director, said in a press release that Building Your Livestock Legacy Program meets a growing need that surfaced during the Coalition’s work with nearly 5,400 livestock farmers.

“We have received numerous calls from beginning farmers wanting to get into livestock farming and from established livestock farmers looking to bring a family or non-family member into their farming operation,” the press release says.

“To help with this often difficult and challenging endeavor, we wanted to provide a service to help livestock farmers of all ages.”

A key barrier to entry for beginning farmers is capital, said the Coalition. Without a massive amount of capital, starting a new family farm or transition into an existing family farm is extremely difficult.

Consequently, low-interest loans, tax credit programs and cost-share programs are essential tools to help realize those farming goals.

However, many beginning farmers do not know how to access those tools. As a result, they approach a potential lender unprepared and are often dismayed they do not qualify, the Coalition said.

For the established farmer, an opportunity to maintain land and livestock while working someone into their farm operation offers opportunities for future generations while providing the farmer with a sense of economic security and the prospect of continuing their farming legacy.

The program is a self-guided online mentorship program hosted on Google Classroom. Participants will engage with a series of video lessons led by industry experts, covering a wide range of topics such as financing, marketing and the loan application process.

The program is designed to benefit anyone interested in livestock farming, offering flexibility to work at their own pace. Participants can complete the curriculum in a week or over several months, depending on their schedule.

The program includes 20-25 lessons, culminating in a final project — the development of a comprehensive business plan, financial statement and resume.

Upon submission and approval by CSIF staff, each participant will receive a certificate of completion, along with the business plan, financial statement, and resume. These materials can be presented to a lender, established livestock farmer, perspective landlord and others as evidence of the participant’s commitment and preparedness to begin a livestock farming career, the Coalition said.

“Since our launch in 2004, the Coalition has worked with farm families throughout the state to help select good locations for new livestock barns and feedlots, interpret rules and regulations and discuss cost-share and loan programs that are available to successfully grow their farms,” said Waddingham in the press release.

“The Building Your Livestock Legacy Program is one more tool to help livestock flourish in Iowa.”

Farmers interested in participating in the Building Your Livestock Legacy Program should visit supportfarmers.com or call at 800-932-2436.