The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides several loan programs to help agriculture business startups and agricultural producers to purchase farmland, improve their property, buy equipment and supplies, expand operations, and manage financial and production risks.
Loans can be used for various purposes in the agriculture industry such as buying land, building or repairing structures, purchasing equipment, and making improvements to operations. Eligibility is determined by the FSA based on the applicant's credit history, income, and ability to repay the loan. Some of the FSA loan programs include:
$ads={1}Direct Farm Ownership Loans
These loans are used to purchase, improve, or construct farmland, buildings, and other related structures. They can also be used to refinance debt.
Direct Operating Loans
These loans are used for operating expenses, such as seeds, fertilizer, and livestock feed. They can also purchase livestock, farm equipment, and supplies.
Emergency Loans
These loans are provided to farmers and ranchers who face unexpected production and physical losses due to natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, and fires.
Microloans
These loans are designed to provide smaller amounts of credit to new and underserved farmers and ranchers who may not qualify for traditional FSA loans.
Guaranteed Farm Loans
These farm loans are made by commercial lenders and guaranteed by the FSA. They can be used for the same purposes as direct loans, but with more flexible terms and lower down payments.
Youth Loans
These loans are designed to help young people between the ages of 10 and 20 to purchase livestock, equipment, and supplies for 4-H and FFA projects.
Conservation Loans
These loans help farmers and ranchers conserve natural resources by funding conservation practices, such as soil and water conservation, planting cover crops, and establishing wetlands.
Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Loans
These loans are designed to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in accessing credit and financing to purchase and improve farmland, purchase equipment, and expand operations.
Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
This program provides financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters.
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
This program provides financial assistance to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought, fire, or other natural disasters.
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
This program provides financial assistance to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock death losses due to adverse weather, such as extreme heat or cold, blizzards, and hurricanes.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
This program provides financial assistance to eligible producers who have suffered unexpected and unavoidable losses of livestock, honeybees, or farm-raised fish due to disease, severe weather, and other conditions.
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)
This program provides cost-sharing grants to eligible producers to implement conservation practices to conserve water and protect soil resources.
Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL)
This program provides low-interest financing to eligible producers to build or upgrade storage facilities for commodities.
Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program
This program provides financial assistance to eligible producers who have suffered quality losses of stored commodities due to conditions beyond their control, such as temperature fluctuations, power outages, and natural disasters.
Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program
This program provides financial assistance to eligible dairy producers by covering a portion of the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost.
Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs
These programs provide financial assistance to eligible producers by helping to manage the risk of unexpected changes in market prices and yields for covered commodities.
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund (ACIF) Program
This program provides insurance to eligible lenders to help them make and service agricultural loans to farmers and ranchers.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
This program provides financial assistance to eligible rural small businesses and agricultural producers to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems and make energy-efficient improvements.
Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels
This program provides financial assistance to eligible advanced biofuel producers to develop, construct, and retrofit biofuel production facilities.
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
This program provides loan guarantees to eligible companies to construct, expand, or retrofit commercial-scale biorefineries or renewable chemical and biobased product manufacturing facilities.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)
This program provides technical assistance and loan guarantees to eligible microentrepreneurs, including farmers and ranchers, to start or expand small businesses in rural areas.
Community Facilities Program
This program provides financial assistance to eligible rural communities to purchase, construct, and improve essential community facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and fire stations.
Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program
This program provides financial assistance to eligible rural communities to construct, expand, or improve water and waste disposal systems.
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program
This program provides financial assistance to eligible rural communities to purchase and install equipment to provide telemedicine and distance learning services.
Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) Program
This program provides financial assistance to eligible rural communities to support small business development and job creation.
In conclusion, these are just a few loan programs available through the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. For more detailed information on each program and how to apply, please get in touch with your local USDA FSA office, and also note that the terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria for these programs may change from time to time, so it's always best to check with the local FSA office for the most up-to-date information.