Farm Finance Digest brings you the latest insights, trends, and tips in the world of agricultural finance. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, a budding agripreneur, or simply interested in the financial aspects of farming, this newsletter is designed to provide valuable information tailored to your needs.

Dropping in to share that many of the newly established USDA Regional Food Business Centers have announced grant opportunities.

Be sure to check out the article below to learn more. They've created a resource to support regional food business planning with technical guidance and grant funding. Whether you're building your own food enterprise or collaborating with one, you might find this financial and technical aid incredibly helpful. Don't forget to subscribe to their email list to stay informed about upcoming opportunities in your area.

Summer has been busy for SCI as surely it has been for you on the farm. I just wrapped a jam-packed farm tour of the Upper Midwest that included attending our annual Soil & Climate Alliance (SCA) meeting in Minneapolis.

I’m writing in from the road where I’ll be for eight weeks this summer visiting SCI farms all over North America. The first part of my tour was in Kansas wheat country before heading to see pasture poultry farms in Kentucky.

With spring in full force, we know it’s BUSY on the farm. Time at your desk making budgets and projections, in the shop readying equipment, and in the tractor preparing fields and planting seed. On top of all that, it’s also when most SCI Farmers are deciding on how they plan to build soil health this growing season.

With spring having shown itself, life is probably kicking into high gear if it hasn't already. Seeds have been long ordered, equipment is coming out, and it’ll be all-hands-on-deck with soil prep and planting before we know it.

Hope the weather is treating you nicely wherever you are! This winter has surely presented unique challenges - between the freezing cold in the south and the spring temps up north it’s been surreal in farm country.

First off, the entire team at SCI wants to say thank you. We know how busy farm life is, and that you have many other demands – so truly we appreciate every bit of time and energy you put into this program. This last year, we grew the SCI Founding Farmer cohort to 60 and will continue to enroll farms off our waitlist in 2024.

As an SCI Founding Farmer, we want to keep you up to date on program happenings and in the loop about opportunities and resources. This monthly email will feature program updates, upcoming events and webinars, funding opportunities, and a feature story written by SCI’s very own Julie Davenson.