Tips On Applying For USDA Farm Loans

By Jaclyn Hurley


People who own farms may need to take out an agricultural loan to meet their financial needs. Many kinds of farm loans are available but farmers have to know where to get them and how to apply for them. Government agencies that offer agricultural loans usually require applicants to own farms or use the funds to purchase farms. The US Department of Agriculture offers loans through its agencies such as the Farm Service Agency. The USDA is responsible for coming up with and executing federal government policies on food, forestry and agriculture.

You can apply for USDA farm loans if you want to purchase new land, improve existing farmland, construct or improve farm structures, promote conservation projects or to finance closing costs. The repayment term for a farm ownership loan cannot be more than forty years. The repayment term for a farmland operating loan is usually one to seven years.

The FSA also offers loan guarantees through its farm loan program. This allows people who are unable to get financing elsewhere to purchase, sustain or expand their farms. Loan officers from the Farm Service Agency often assist farmers to apply for loans. Applicants should seek the assistance of business advisers as they develop a business plan which they need to submit to the lender.

A business plan should be detailed and display future cash flow projections. This helps lenders determine the amount of money an applicant needs and how much he or she can be able to repay. Farmers can create well projected business plans by reading magazines that offer information on how to create an agricultural business plan.

Since the situation of every farmer is different, the process you follow to apply for funding may be different from that followed by other farmers or ranchers. Before applying for a loan, you need to first determine the kind of funding you need. You may apply for more than one kind of funding if you need money for different purposes.

Applying for a farm ownership loan can be appropriate when buying or enlarging your farmland or paying for water and soil conservation practices. You can apply for a farm operating loan when buying equipment or livestock or when making minor real estate repairs. Applying for an emergency loan is appropriate if your farming operations have been negatively affected by a natural disaster.

The other kind of loan available is a conservation loan. It helps meet the need of farm owners who need to complete conservation practices in an approved conservation plan. After they get approved for a loan from the USDA, farmers are required to repay the principle plus a certain amount of interest. The total amount of interest to pay usually depends on the repayment period of the loan and the rate of interest charged. The interest rate can be either fixed or variable.

The USDA also has a microloan program for small scale farmers, disadvantaged producers and veterans. This program allows them to borrow an amount of up to 35,000 dollars. You apply for such a loan if you are starting out. It can provide you with the resources you need to begin operating profitably and help increase your equity. After repaying a microloan, you can be able to obtain commercial credit in order to expand your operations.




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