AgFTAP Cooperator Program Resources
AgFTAP Cooperators leverage program partners to provide resources that support the development of strong technical assistance providers. Through targeted partnerships, AgFTAP Collaborators will directly engage farmers and ranchers in one-on-one technical assistance.
By investing in the expansion of this comprehensive support network, the program will increase access to and understanding of USDA programs, including Farm Service Agency loans. These efforts will strengthen the resilience of rural and agricultural communities nationwide.
The links below highlight training opportunities and educational resources offered by Cooperator network partners, which will be delivered by farmer support professionals to farmers, ranchers and foresters across the country.
Educational Resources for Financial Readiness
- Growing Your Enterprise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Farm Business – University of Arkansas
- From Shoeboxes to Spreadsheets: An Overview of Farm Financial and Production Recording Keeping – University of Arkansas
- Financial Insight: Navigating Performance, Position, and the Balance Sheet – University of Arkansas
- Measuring Profitability: Understanding the Ins-and-Outs of a Farm Income Statement – University of Arkansas
- Leveraging Enterprise Budgets to Calculate Breakeven Points - University of Arkansas
- Structure of the USDA-FSA Farm Loan Program FSA90 - University of Arkansas
- AgPlan – Center for Farm Financial Management
- Tax Planning for Producers Receiving Loan Servicing Assistance – University of Minnesota
- Farm Financial Standards Scorecard – Farm Financial Standards Council
- Taxes for Farmers and Ranchers – USDA site containing information and resources related to USDA program payments, asset protection, and the important relationships between federal income taxes and USDA farm programs.
Navigating and applying for USDA programs
Program Overviews & Curriculum to Support Farmer/Rancher Engagement
- Financial stress – Farmers and ranchers face a unique combination of challenges putting them at a greater risk of experiencing financial stress. Learn how to identify signs of financial stress and how you can help.
- Farm State of Mind® | American Farm Bureau Federation – The American Farm Bureau Farm State of Mind campaign builds awareness to reduce stigma and provides access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health wellness.
- Agricultural Mediation - Mediation is a method for resolving problems or disagreements without resorting to court. It is meant to help those affected by the dispute to work through agreements in a faster and less expensive way than a lawsuit. This fact sheet covers the basics of mediation and how to get started.
- National Appeals Division (NAD) – The NAD provides producers a fair way to appeal decisions made by certain USDA agencies. This fact sheet provides a review of the appeal process as well as important contact information.
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Cooperator Training Webinars
- Balance Sheet Basics Part 1, Dec. 17, 2025
- Balance Sheet Basics Part 2, Jan. 27, 2026
- Strengthening your Credit Report & Score, Feb. 10, 2026
The AgFTAP Cooperator Program is aligned with on-going public/private efforts to provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and foresters. AgFTAP Cooperators maintain formal collaborations with the following programs:
- AgFTAP: Agricultural Finance, Tax and Asset Protection is a national network and online portal featuring workshops, resources and technical assistance experts.
- SRMEC: The Southern Risk Management Education Center was established at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture in 2009. Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the SRMEC is one of four regional Extension Risk Management Education Centers (ERME) located throughout the country.
- The ERME mission is to educate farmers and ranchers to manage the unique risks of producing food for the world’s table. The Southern Center, in conjunction with the other three regional Centers, conducts the Extension Risk Management Education Competitive Grants Program.