Farm Service Agency Offers Loans to Underserved and Beginning Farmers

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wisconsin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Russell Raeder reminds producers that FSA offers specially targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.

“Each year, a portion of FSA’s loan funds are set aside to lend to targeted underserved and beginning farmers and ranchers,” said Raeder. “Farming and ranching is a capital intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers start and maintain their agricultural operations.”

During fiscal year 2017 (Oct. 1, 2016, through Sept. 30, 2017), Wisconsin FSA obligated $109 million in loans to underserved borrowers and beginning farmers and ranchers.

USDA defines underserved applicants as a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. The direct and guaranteed loan program offers two types of loans: farm ownership loans and farm operating loans.

For more information on FSA’s farm loan programs and underserved and beginning farmer guidelines, please contact your local FSA office. To find your local FSA office, visit offices.usda.gov.