Non-Traditional Agriculture & Specialty Farming
Small Farm Loans for Local & Regional Food Systems
Small and specialty farms strengthen local food systems, bringing fresh flavors that define the heartland. But when it comes to financing, finding a lender who understands your business can be a challenge.
Compeer Financial’s Emerging Markets team specializes in financing these types of ag operations — from local market producers to specialty and direct-to-consumer farms. We’re here to help you find the way forward.
Non-Traditional Agriculture & Emerging Markets
Small and non-traditional farmers often run into financing roadblocks — not because their operation lacks potential, but because they’re working within lending models built for conventional agriculture. Where traditional frameworks fall short, a different approach is needed. Compeer Financial’s Emerging Markets team understands these businesses and the financing required to support how you operate and grow. These operations take many forms. Here’s how financing needs show up across different types of farms.
Specialty Crops
Fresh produce, cut flowers and cultivated mushrooms are just some of the specialty crops grown by small and mid-sized farms. Growers often work within seasonal revenue cycles to support specialized equipment needs such as greenhouses, irrigation systems or cold storage.
Regional & Local Food Systems
Farm-to-table operations connect producers with consumers through farmers markets, local retailers and regional distribution channels. These operations run on tight timelines and shifting demands. Revenue arrives in small, irregular increments, while production and labor costs continue year-round, creating constant pressure on cash flow.
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Value Added Farming
Transforming raw products into finished goods — fruit into jam, dairy into cheese or grain into baked goods — creates new revenue opportunities for small farmers. But processing adds facilities, equipment and regulatory requirements. Financing needs often include buildouts, equipment and working capital to support both production and sales.
Urban Farming
Urban farming operations, from rooftop greenhouses to vertical farms in repurposed warehouses, expand access to fresh food in surrounding communities. These systems can rely on specialized facilities to create controlled environments for year-round production.
Agritourism
Farms that open their operations to the public — from wineries and pizza farms to corn mazes, pumpkin patches and wedding venues — require upfront investment to get started and grow. Financing needs often include facilities, parking, safety improvements and working capital to support seasonal staffing and peak visitor periods.
Guided Development of Your Farm Business Plan
If your operation serves local markets or sells direct to consumers, you need a business plan that helps you and lenders understand its revenue streams and operating costs, but also charts a path to growth. Compeer Financial provides resources and guidance to help you build a business plan that reflects how your operation actually runs, so you can identify the financing you need to grow.
Specialized Ag Financing for Regional and Local Producers
Compeer Financial’s Emerging Markets team works with you to understand how your business runs and where you want to take it. Then we structure a financing solution that helps you operate, thrive and get to your next stage of growth.
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Farmland Loans
Real estate financing to purchase or expand acreage, or refinance existing land loans. -
Farm Operating Loans
Revolving and term loan options to fund inventory, supplies, labor and other ongoing operating costs. -
Livestock Loans
Flexible financing for livestock purchases, herd expansion or restocking across operations of all sizes. -
RegenLend
A pilot program for select participants designed to offset the cost of leasing regenerative agriculture equipment. -
Equipment & Facility Financing
Loan options to expand or modernize equipment, processing facilities, greenhouses and more. -
Leasing for Facilities, Vehicles and Equipment
Flexible solutions with potential tax benefits that also improve your operation’s cash flow and margins. -
Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loans
Trusted guidance and expertise in USDA Farm Service Agency lending options, including guaranteed and direct loan programs. -
Organic Bridge Loans
Financing structured to maintain liquidity during the transition from conventional to organic production. -
Young and Beginning Farmers
Starter loans and down payment programs that help new and next-generation producers.
Find the Best Financing Fit For Your Operation
Compeer Financial workers with farming operations both large and small to find the best financing fit.
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A local food system connects farmers directly with consumers, retailers or regional distributors within a defined geographic area. This can include farmers markets, food hubs, CSA programs and farm-to-table partnerships.
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A small farm loan helps finance farmland, equipment, operating expenses, facilities or expansion for smaller-scale or non-traditional agricultural operations, including specialty crops and direct-to-consumer farms.
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Yes. Direct-to-consumer farming operations — such as CSAs, farm stands, online produce sales or agritourism ventures — can qualify for flexible financing tailored to local food system businesses.
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Some traditional lenders may hesitate, but specialized ag lenders like Compeer offer financing for agritourism operations, including event barns, on-farm retail, farm stays and experience-based agriculture.
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Emerging agriculture may include:
- Urban farming
- Specialty crops
- Organix transition operations
- Value-added food processing
- Food hubs and aggregation
- Agritourism
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A strong farm business plan should outline production, revenue streams (including direct-to-consumer sales), operating costs, growth strategy and capital needs. Lenders use this plan to structure appropriate financing.
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Yes. Financing may cover processing facilities, packaging equipment, cold storage, distribution infrastructure and food safety upgrades.
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Yes. Young and beginning farmers may qualify for specialized programs with flexible terms and guidance. Learn more about our Young & Beginning Farmer resources and financing.