When I purchased my first ranch in Texas, I had no aspirations to be a farmer or a rancher. I simply wanted to diversify my portfolio and protect myself from the volatility of the stock market. As a newly minted landowner, I was surprised to discover the numerous government opportunities available to farmers and ranchers to improve their land. Agriculture is a backbone of the American economy, and the federal and state government want to ensure it remains strong. For this reason, there are several monetary and educational programs that simply aren’t available to traditional real estate investors. Here are just a few programs available to rural real estate owners that are not available to the ‘city folk’.

Read about the 3 truly amazing benefits you can take advantage of as a landowner!

Land Improvement

The USDA EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) is a program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and improve environmental quality on their farms and ranches. I filled out an EQIP application through my local Texas USDA office. It wasn’t long before they shared the various improvements they could help pay for to enhance my ranch. This included grants for cross-fencing, eradication of cactus, drilling of a well, and surface water improvement. These improvements can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Yet, thanks to the USDA, you can reap both the short and long-term benefits of these value adds.

Programs like USDA EQIP will provide financial resources to improve your land. This pictures shows dirt work to improve a stock tank. Water for livestock adds tremendous monetary value.

Grants

There are too many grant programs that target new farmers and ranchers to list. One of the most well-known grant sources comes from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). The USDA's FSA offers several programs that provide financial assistance to farmers, including the purchase of equipment. Yes, you can get a grant for the same equipment that will improve your land and ultimately increase its value. Some of the best land improvements (and costliest) include fencing, timber clearing, and pond construction. Imagine being provided a grant to purchase the equipment that allows you to do all this work yourself? It’s a pretty incredible benefit.

Maple Bank Farm in Connecticut received $5K under the state's "farmer project category" to purchase equipment needed to improve their blueberry crop.

Education

Once again, there are too many free educational opportunities at the federal and local level to help new farmers and ranchers become successful. One of the neatest things I learned is that several universities offer free workshops and programs to farmers and ranchers. In fact, several ranchers I knew spoke very highly of programs at Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service, which offers free online and in-person classes on important topics like soil health, livestock production, and agribusiness management. Not only are these workshops phenomenal learning opportunities,  they are also great ways to network with other landowners and find future investment opportunities. I’ve personally learned about ‘off-market’ land deals thanks to these types of networking events.

Texas A&M offers free courses and hands-on events for new farmers and ranchers

My foray into ranch ownership has been a journey of unexpected discoveries, revealing a landscape of support and opportunities designed to fortify the backbone of American agriculture. The resources available to rural landowners are a testament to the commitment to sustaining and fortifying the agricultural legacy of our nation. Whether you have a desire to work the land or make the land a vehicle for financial freedom, there is no denying the incredible benefits afforded to landowners.