Farm Center in Wisconsin Helps Beginning Farmers

Farm Center in Wisconsin Helps Beginning Farmers MADISON- According to the old saying, getting started is half the battle, but if you know where to look for assistance, getting started in farming may be a little less daunting. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) says there are programs available to help new farmers get going and guide existing farmers through a generational transition in ownership. A good place to start is DATCP’s Wisconsin Farm Center. “The Farm Center staff can carefully guide farmers through the transition process by helping a farm family create a business plan and determine if the new farmer can make the operation successful,” said DATCP Secretary Ben Brancel. “We can also point out certain financial tools they may not know exist.”

For example, there is a Beginning Farmer tax credit. This one-time credit equals the amount the beginning farmer pays to enroll in a financial management program during the claim year. The maximum credit allowed is $500. To take advantage of this credit, the beginning farmer needs to have successfully completed the coursework. Then, both the beginning farmer and established farmer must apply to and be approved by DATCP. The application includes a proposed business plan, description of the beginning farmer’s education or training, a written copy of a lease with duration of at least three years, and a description of the leased assets. A Beginning Farmer is defined as someone who has farmed fewer than 10 of the previous 15 years and has a net worth less than $200,000.

Continue reading the press release.

For more information about farm transition services or how to apply for the Beginning Farmer and Farm Asset Owner tax credits, contact DATCP’s Wisconsin Farm Center at 800.942.2474 or farmcenter@wisconsin.gov.

Contact: Ashley Huibregtse, 608.224.5002


Jim Dick, Communications Director, 608.224.5020

3 Comments on Farm Center in Wisconsin Helps Beginning Farmers

  1. Benjamin Matson // June 20, 2015 at 9:38 pm // Reply

    I read this and it gave me a little more motivation toward being a Farmer soon.
    If I may say, for some time, I have dreamed of living back in Wisconsin (My HomeTown!!!) and growing some food, and raising some animals for sport and/or for sel to the community. I’ve always enjoyed raising animals but nothing beats waking up owning a farm (wether big or small) and having the passion to tend to you’re crops, animals, and daily duties of having/owning a farm.
    My girlfriend and I, (Age 21 & 22) have been saving in hopes that we may eventually be able to go out East and start things up but need more insight and guidance in the “How-to” process of things.

    We have raised animals together and grown small vegetables here in California but nothing to the extreme of raising Piglets, Ducklings, etc…., Corn, and other small crops.

    I have been looking more into DATCP in Wisconsin but do not really know where I should start with information aside from looking through the tabs.

    if anyone could tell me if there are restrictions on age, or Nativity or anything of this sort I’d be grateful.

    I am Native to Wisconsin, Racine but moved here many moons ago.

  2. I need gelp.on someone 5o talk to to start a farm my bro5her in law wants to get out of farming I want to start the place may need a couple upgrades. But is a dairy farm please email me

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*