FarmStart Program Approves 175th Investment to Support Beginning Farmers

FarmStart, an innovative Northeast program to help young people get started in farming, is pleased to announce the approval of its 175th investment. Since the first investment approved in August of 2006, FarmStart has invested more than $7.5 million with 175 participants throughout New York, New Jersey and New England.  The program’s 175th investment was to Brookby Dairy, LLC in Dover Plains, N.Y. Owner William Vincent comes from a sixth generation family farm, and after graduating from college returned home to take over the farm which had been inactive for close to 30 years. After two years running the farm, Will had the opportunity to expand on 750 acres of leased land, but didn’t have the necessary capital. FarmStart, LLP was initiated by Farm Credit East and CoBank as part of Farm Credit’s long-term commitment of helping young individuals get started in farming. Yankee Farm Credit joined the program in 2011. The program invests working capital of up to $75,000 to help beginning northeast farm businesses and cooperatives become operational. Each FarmStart participant is required to complete a business plan and monthly cash flow which serves as a roadmap for their startup business. A FarmStart advisor works with each participant to help the new business stay on track toward achieving their business objectives.