Farm Advocacy

A helping hand for farmers in need

Farm Advocacy

RAFI farmer advocates provide expertise and guidance to save or strengthen farms. From working with lenders to dealing with disasters, our work is tailored to meet each farmer’s individual needs. We provide expert knowledge in complex lending situations, combined with more than two decades of experience fighting to keep family farmers on their land. We serve diverse farms across the Southeast U.S., ranging from small, specialty operations to livestock and commodity operations on thousands of acres. We also operate a hotline for farmers (866.586.6746) that they can call for immediate help.

We provide farmers with assistance for any of the following:

  • Farm financial viability and managing financial crisis
  • Minimizing and managing risks
  • Navigating federal farm and disaster programs
  • Assistance in negotiations with lenders and creditors

When Might a Farmer See an Advocate?

  • When receiving an adverse decision from a state or federal agency
  • When dealing with a loss on the farm, i.e., fire, disease, or natural disaster
  • When going into mediation
  • When negotiating with lenders
  • When liquidating assets of the farm operation
  • When a major drop in equity occurs
  • When entering into or dissolving a partnership

Thanks to our generous donors, our services are currently provided free of charge to farmers in need. Services are offered based on our staff’s current caseload and availability. If we are unable to assist, we will do our best to refer you to someone who can assist. To learn more about our services, or if you are in crisis (or know someone else who is) and need someone to talk to, please call the Farmer Crisis Hotline toll-free at 866.586.6746. The hotline is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Farm Advocate Link

In partnership with Farm Aid, RAFI, and others, the Farm Advocate Link connects farmers and ranchers in need to a national network of farm advocates, who provide support and referrals. Get access to advocates across the country, including farm finance experts, attorneys, rural organizers, social workers, crisis counselors, and of course, farmers themselves. Access this network through Farm Aid’s hotline (1-800-FARMAID) and farmhelp@farmaid.org.