Agricultural Finance
Agricultural Finance
We promote the $1 billion per year impact agriculture has in the County and continue to build avenues to expand or enhance farm revenues and diversification while helping landowners understand the importance of transition planning.
Ag Finance Options
Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program - State program that provides tax credits to owners of agricultural assets who sell or rent agricultural assets to beginning farmers.
Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemption - State program that provides an exemption from state and local realty transfer tax for preserved farms that are transferred to a qualified beginning farmer.
Next Generation Farmer Loan Program - State program that uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce a farmer’s interest rate for capital purchases, such as the purchase of farmland or agricultural machinery and equipment.
Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemption - State program that provides an exemption from state and local realty transfer tax for preserved farms that are transferred to a qualified beginning farmer.
Next Generation Farmer Loan Program - State program that uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce a farmer’s interest rate for capital purchases, such as the purchase of farmland or agricultural machinery and equipment.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Federal program that provides financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural and forest land.
Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) - State program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn PA income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices.
Best Management Practices Grants - Various grants are available to the Berks County Conservation District and its partners at different times of the year. These grants are usually available to certain geographic areas/watersheds and/or practices.
Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) - State program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn PA income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices.
Best Management Practices Grants - Various grants are available to the Berks County Conservation District and its partners at different times of the year. These grants are usually available to certain geographic areas/watersheds and/or practices.
USDA - Farm Service Agency Loans - various Federal loan options to designed to help farmers get the financing they need to start, maintain, or expand their farms
PA Industrial Development Authority Loans - State program that offers low-interest loans or lines of credit to Pennsylvania businesses for uses including land and building acquisitions, construction, and machinery and equipment purchases
PA Industrial Development Authority Loans - State program that offers low-interest loans or lines of credit to Pennsylvania businesses for uses including land and building acquisitions, construction, and machinery and equipment purchases
Farm Vitality Planning Grants - State program that helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm - through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers