The passion for their profession and for agricultural entrepreneurs and investors shines through. In 2020, Peter Pals and Jasper Timmerman joined forces and now provide advice to both farmers and investors. "Having expertise on both sides sets us apart in the industry." Due to the growth of Farmers Funding & Advice, they are looking for entrepreneurial colleagues.
After working in the financial sector for about 25 years, Peter Pals started his own advisory firm, Farmers Funding, in 2016. He saw an opportunity for financial and business expertise with a more personal approach to clients. Jasper Timmerman also has extensive knowledge of the agricultural sector, as well as the tax and legal world. He worked at large accounting firms with many agricultural clients. In 2015, he started his own advisory firm with the same goal: more personal contact with clients. In addition to the office in Dronten, Farmers Funding & Advice has a branch in Breda and some colleagues in the north. Peter and Jasper are proud of their team.
In 2020, you merged your strengths and formed Farmers Funding & Advice. What did that bring you?
Peter: "Jasper provides expertise in administrative and tax-legal matters. Think of tax issues, restructuring, business transfers, family businesses, and financial guidance from a generalist perspective. I mainly offer specialized business and financing advice on challenging issues and connect investors with agricultural entrepreneurs. We also have a steward on board with expertise in land purchase and sales and leasehold."
Jasper: "The fact that we have all of this under one roof makes us unique in the industry. Providing advice to farmers and investors who want to make a difference in the agricultural sector with their money."
What kind of investors are these?
Peter: "These are private investors: people with a farming background who come from the agricultural sector themselves. They invest a minimum of a hundred thousand in a project, some even a million or more. That's quite remarkable."
"With us, investors are assured of a good return and top-notch security," Jasper adds. "The mutual involvement is often significant. There are even investors who visit the farmer to get a better understanding of what and who they are supporting."
What kind of projects are typically invested in?
Peter: "It's very diverse. It could involve expanding an agricultural business, purchasing additional land, or acquiring a nearby farm right after substantial investments have been made. There can be various reasons why a bank may not want to lend, while the risk for a private investor is not significant."
"'With us, you can have a conversation. We know all our farmers and investors personally.'
How do you differentiate yourselves in the advisory world?
Jasper: "Our experience in the financial world indicates a diminishing human touch. Many processes nowadays take place online. With us, you can have a conversation. We know all our farmers and investors personally. We visit the farms, and our clients come to us. When you're purchasing a farm with a financing of four million, you want to see someone. The personal approach is essential for us."
Peter adds: "Fewer and fewer people visit the farmyard. The need for an entrepreneur to have a good sounding board only increases. Recently, during a takeover, the senior said, 'I'm so glad that you still come here yourself.' Then I think: isn't that obvious? It's the foundation of our work: we are close to our relationships, know them well, and that's how we can do business."
Do farmers more often turn to you in the current complex circumstances?
Peter: "Every farming business has to deal with market conditions, laws, and regulations. Given the size of our clients - almost all are land-based farmers - they come out relatively well. Each year, 3 to 5 percent of farmers stop. In our client base, that number is much lower. We do receive questions arising from laws and regulations, but that is not the majority."
What characterizes your company?
Peter: "We are a small, growing company with twelve people. There is a good atmosphere, communication lines are short, and we act quickly. A colleague once said: 'this is like a family business'. Many of our colleagues come from family businesses and everyone has a passion for the agricultural sector. We work together and are intrinsically motivated to achieve results."
Jasper: "We are an exclusive office. We do not go for quantity. The challenges here are always stimulating. At the same time, you are not alone here. We brainstorm as a team about the best possible solution or approach for the client."
Who are you looking for?
Jasper: "It is essential that you enjoy entrepreneurship and are results-oriented. Here, you don't just write advice and reports. In the challenges, you are the working foreman. You organize the work, seek specialists when needed, and help the client understand complex matters."
Peter: "You have the opportunity to join us as a co-entrepreneur. As a senior, you have your own portfolio. You start with some of our clients and then build a portfolio. The work is diverse. You go out: networking, visiting people, making your presence known. The associate connection offers you freedom and influence on your results. And of course, we help each other."
