Micro Loan Programs
Small-Scale & Specialty Farm Funding
Excellent for small producers, beginning farmers, and niche/non-traditional operations — hydroponics, direct marketing, CSAs, organic, small livestock. Simplified paperwork. Max: $50,000. No minimum.
Additional Programs
Larger Loan Programs
Full-Scale Farm Loans
Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL)
Financing for on-farm storage infrastructure to preserve and protect your harvest.
Youth Loan
Makes loans available for youth between the ages of 10–20 for agricultural projects.
Land Contract Guarantee
Prompt Payment: FSA guarantee to lending institutions so producers can build relationships.
Standard: Financial guarantee from FSA for lending institutions.
Direct Down Payment
Assists beginning farmers in acquiring land and retiring farmers in transferring their land.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
FSA Conservation Loans are for implementing conservation practices approved by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Quick Guide
Direct vs. Guaranteed Loans
DIRECT LOANS
FSA Is Your Lender
Funded & serviced directly by FSA using congressional appropriations. Apply at your local FSA office. Ideal for beginning farmers, those with setbacks, or smaller operations needing hands-on support and credit counseling.
Farm Ownership Max: $600,000
Farm Operating Max: $400,000
Application: Local FSA office · Focus: Those unable to get credit elsewhere
GUARANTEED LOANS
Commercial Lender + FSA Backing
Made and serviced by commercial lenders (banks, credit unions, Farm Credit). FSA provides a guarantee up to 95% against loss. Apply through an approved lender. Larger amounts for farmers closer to commercial credit.
Farm Ownership Max: $2.3M+
Farm Operating Max: $2.2M+
Application: Commercial lender · Focus: Bridge to commercial lending
Joint Financing splits the loan amount between the FSA and a private lender with a max loan amount of $600,000. If your rate of FSA lending is 50% or less, you can get a reduced rate on the FSA portion. FSA Farm Ownership Loan Program Requirements and Rates – LegalClarity
Application: Focus: need more than $600,000 but want a lower blended rate.
Qualifications
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for most FSA loan programs, applicants must meet the following baseline requirements.
Eligibility Tip
Substitutions for Farm Experience
The three-year farm experience requirement trips up a lot of otherwise qualified applicants. FSA allows you to substitute up to two of those three years with a combination of education, military service, and other qualifying backgrounds. Any one of the following can replace one year of experience:
You can combine two substitutions to cover two of the three required years — but you still need at least one year of actual farm business experience.
Agricultural Education
At least 16 credit hours of post-secondary coursework in an agriculture-related field.
Military Service
An honorable discharge from any branch of the U.S. armed forces.
Business Management
Significant management experience where daily responsibilities included personnel decisions, payroll, or inventory.
Farm Labor w/ Management
At least one year working as a hired farm laborer with substantial management responsibility.
Farm Management Training
Completion of a farm management program through a cooperative extension service, community college, vocational program, nonprofit, or land-grant university.
Mentorship or Apprenticeship
Completion of a farm internship, mentorship, or apprenticeship focused on day-to-day management decisions.
FSA Youth Loan
Successful repayment of a prior FSA-financed youth loan (available to applicants ages 10–20).
Mentor Relationship
An established relationship with a SCORE counselor who has farming experience, or with another Agency-approved local mentor.
RESOURCES
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