Tilth Conference + Farm & Food Symposium

Conference Schedule

Conference Schedule

How to Fund Your Farm

  • Date: Thursday, November 13
  • Time: 2:30-3:45 p.m.
  • Speakers: Kaitlin Davies, USDA Farm Service Agency; Micha Ide, WSDA Regional Markets Program; Ryan Kile, AgWest
  • Location: Room 110
  • Track: Farm Business & Marketing

Grants, loans, programs…what’s the difference? And which ones matter for your farm or project? This session will provide an overview of government funding options available in WA and discuss how each type of funding can be used in your operation. You will gain some insight into the approval process and we will address common barriers for small and beginning operations when initiating an application, and how to overcome them.

About the Speakers

  • Kaitlin Davies

    USDA Farm Service Agency

    Kaitlin Davies has been part of the USDA Farm Service Agency since 2016 where she has held several positions. She currently serves at the Outreach Coordinator for the state where she works with farmers to connect them with resources both inside and outside of USDA. Prior to coming to USDA, Kaitlin worked on a dairy in Vermont which sold raw milk for cheesemaking.

  • Micha Ide

    WSDA Regional Markets Program

    Micha Ide is the small farm direct marketing specialist in the Regional Markets Program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture. She has over a decade of experience working in agriculture and supporting producers in Washington. In her role, Micha assists farmers and ranchers with access to resources, business development, regulatory guidance, facilitating market connections and more.

  • Ryan Kile

    AgWest

    Ryan grew up in St. John, WA and is a proud Washington State University alum. He has worked in the financial service industry for over 20 years and has been with AgWest Farm Credit for the past 16 years. Ryan currently serves as the Branch Manager and Vice President Relationship Manager at the Colfax, WA branch. His portfolio primarily consists of dryland grain, pulses, canola, hay and cattle located throughout the Palouse region. Additionally, he also operates a 2,000 acre dryland farm near St. John and Steptoe, WA.