Young, Beginning & Small Farmer Program – Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas realize the future of agriculture rests with the young and eager agriculturalists who want to raise families on their own farms and continue the traditions our local communities hold so dear.
However, due to economic and political trends, the agricultural industry is not always kind to young, beginning and small farmers. In order to encourage and assist these budding agriculturalists, the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas developed a program to meet the specific needs of the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
The Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas offer young, beginning and small farmers across the state special lending standards — tailored to their specific needs — to assist them with their farming dreams.
To qualify for the YBS Program, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Age 35 and younger
- Less than 10 years of agricultural experience
- Annual farm production less than $250,000
If you are interested in the YBS Program, please check each association’s website for details.
Scholarship Programs – The Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are proud to promote higher education in our local communities by supporting the future ag leaders of the state through individual scholarship programs. Annually, our college scholarship programs offer funding opportunities to be applied toward education costs, such as tuition, fees, housing, books, etc. What better way to invest in our rural areas than to lend a helping hand to local college students?
If you are a high school senior, college student, parent or high counselor, please check each association’s website for details. Qualifications vary by association.
Farm Credit Adam McClung Leadership Scholarships – The Farm Credit Associations in Arkansas created two, $1,000 annual scholarships in memory of Adam McClung. Adam was President of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and a proven leader and advocate for Arkansas cattle producers and Arkansas agriculture before his death in 2017.
The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association administers and awards these scholarships. See their website for Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas scholarship details.
Additional Organizations and Events Sponsored
- Agricultural Council of Arkansas
- AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program
- Arkansas 4-H Programs & Foundation
- Arkansas Ag Aviation Conference
- Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame
- Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association
- Arkansas Cattlewomen’s Association
- Arkansas FFA Chapters, State Convention & Foundation
- Arkansas Farm Bureau – Farm Family of the Year Program
- Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention
- Arkansas Farmer Veteran Coalition
- Arkansas Forestry Commission
- Arkansas Foundation for Agriculture
- Arkansas Grazing Lands Coalition
- Arkansas Grown – Farmers Market Grant Program
- Arkansas Grown – Homegrown by Heroes
- Arkansas Grown – Local Conversations
- Arkansas Grown – School Garden Award Program
- Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
- Arkansas Pork Producers
- Arkansas Realtors Convention
- Arkansas Rice Annual Meeting
- Arkansas Rice Council – Rice Producers Annual Meeting
- Arkansas Soil and Water Expo
- Arkansas Soybean Association
- Arkansas State Fair
- Arkansas State University – Agribusiness Conference
- Arkansas State University – College of Agriculture & Technology – Student Leadership Conference
- Arkansas Women in Agriculture
- Crowley’s Ridge Classic Junior Livestock Show
- Diversity in Ag
- LeadAR – Lead Arkansas Program
- Mid-South Chapter Rural Appraisers & Farm Managers
- Midsouth Farm and Gin Show
- National Black Growers Council
- Southern Agricultural Cover Crops, Soil Health & Water Management Conference
- University of Arkansas – Arkansas County Agricultural Agents Association
- USA Rice Federation
- USA Rice Outlook Conference
The Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are members of the nation-wide Farm Credit System that supports an even wider array of programs and organizations. Click to see programs supported nationally.