Maple Business Resources

Financing Your Operation

Financial Planning Resources and Mentoring:

Resources for Leasing a Sugarbush

Farm and Maple Specific Loan, Grant, and Cost Share Programs:

  • USDA: Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service

Contact your local USDA Service Center for more information about the following programs. Some of their funding programs for maple producers include:

    • Farm Storage Facility Loans (sap tanks, hauling trucks, syrup storage space, etc.)
    • Farm Loan Programs including;
      • Direct and Guaranteed Farm Operating Loans
      • Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loans
      • Direct Microloans
      • Direct Emergency Loans (From declared natural disasters)
      • Guaranteed Conservation Loans (Implementing conservation practices)
      • Direct Youth Loans (for aspiring farmers ages 10 to 20 y/0)
    • The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Financial Cost Share and Technical Assistance
      • Energy Efficiency (Steam hoods, RO installation, etc.)
    • Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) (Cost Share)
      • Sugarbush (Forestry) Management Plans
      • Crop Insurance Programs
      • Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
        • Financial assistance to replant trees lost due to natural disasters
  • Energy Efficiency Improvement Incentive Programs
  • Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
    • Agriculture Marketing Loan Fund helps Maine agricultural businesses undertake projects to enhance the viability and vitality of the farm, and improve the manufacturing, marketability and production of their products.
    • Maine Farms for the Future Program is a competitive grant program that provides selected farms with business planning assistance and investment support.
    • Agricultural Development Grants provides cost-share grants to conduct market promotion, market research and development, value-added processing and new technology demonstration projects.
  • Tax Incentive Programs
  • Other Funding Sources

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