First South Farm Credit is committed to the next generation of Young, Beginning, and Small (YBS) Farmers by providing Lending and Educational resources to help them begin, grow, or remain in agricultural production.
Serving the agricultural credit needs of YBS farmers is vital to the future of agriculture in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. That is why First South pays special attention to serving the needs of this important group of farmers and follows guidelines established to ensure full cooperation with governmental and private sources of credit.
Who Qualifies as an YBS FARMER?
To reflect the current demographics of agriculture, YBS farmers are defined by the Farm Credit Administration as follows:
- Young Farmer - 35 years of age or younger
- Beginning Farmer - 10 years or less farming experience on their own
- Small Farmer - gross annual farm sales of less than $350,000
YBS LOANS
Through our First Steps by First South program, First South has created a loan product that is uniquely designed to help Young and Beginning Farmers start or continue their farming operation.
Contact your local First South branch to learn more about what our First Steps loan program can do for you.
Applicants that do not meet the eligibility requirements or financing guidelines for the YBS program may still be eligible for a loan from First South.
Farm Credit University
First South offers online courses through Farm Credit University (FCUniversity.com) to help Young, Beginning, and Small Farmers learn how to prepare financial documents, establish business plans, and learn what to expect from their lender. Contact your nearest First South branch to learn more about how First South will cover the expense of these online courses for participants in our territory.
AgBizInfo
AgBizInfo is a website operated by AgFirst Farm Credit Bank in collaboration with First South Farm Credit and other Farm Credit lenders that provides articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, and other tools to help you make sense of the farming business. At no cost to you, it is the most comprehensive source of education and business resources for young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers in the United States. Visit AgBizInfo.com to learn more.
"It was the friendliness of the First South company more than anything."
As a volunteer run farmer's market, Bost Farms relies on community support and the partnership of First South Farm Credit.