USDA is here to help farmers, ranchers, and foresters get the farm loan support they need to be successful. Whether you’re a new farmer just getting started or a seasoned rancher in business for decades, we have agriculture loan options to help you meet your goals.
Inflation Reduction Act Assistance
Assistance for Distressed Borrowers
Section 22006 Inflation Reduction Act provides $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and guaranteed farm loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk.
Assistance for Producers Facing Discrimination
Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act provides $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs. USDA recognizes the Department has not done enough historically to ensure all customers have equal access to its programs and services.
Farm Loan Options
Loans to Purchase or Expand a Farm or Ranch
Farm Ownership Loans can be used to purchase or expand a farm or ranch. This loan can help with paying closing costs, constructing or improving buildings on the farm, or to help conserve and protect soil and water resources.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers up to $600,000 for eligible borrowers through Farm Ownership Loans.
Microloans are a type of Operating or Farm Ownership Loan offered by FSA. They’re designed to meet the needs of small and beginning farmers, or for non-traditional and specialty operations by easing some of the requirements and offering less paperwork.
Emergency loans offered by FSA help you if you suffered a qualifying loss caused by natural disasters that damaged your farm or ranch.
Guaranteed farm ownership loans offered by FSA help family farmers and ranchers to obtain loans from USDA approved commercial lenders at reasonable terms to buy
farmland or finance agricultural production.
Single family housing loans offered by Rural Development help with purchasing or building a new single family home, repairing an existing home, or refinancing a current mortgage.
Loans to Purchase Livestock, Seed or Equipment
Farm Operating Loans can be used to purchase livestock, seed and equipment. It can also cover farm operating costs and family living expenses while a farm gets up and running.
FSA offers up to $400,000 for eligible borrowers through Farm Operating Loans.
Operating loans can also be used for forest operation needs. View more USDA resources on our forest operations page.
Microloans are a type of Operating or Farm Ownership Loan offered by FSA. They’re designed to meet the needs of small and beginning farmers, or for non-traditional and specialty operations by easing some of the requirements and offering less paperwork.
Youth Loans are a type of Operating Loan offered by FSA for young farmers between 10-20 years old who need assistance with an educational agricultural project. Typically, these youth are participating in 4-H clubs, FFA , or a similar organization.
Guaranteed farm operating loans offered by FSA may be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance, and other operating expenses.
Storage Loans
Storage loans, like the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Sugar Storage Facility Loan, can be used to help producers build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities.
FSA offers up to $500,000 for storage facilities and $100,000 for storage and handling trucks for eligible borrowers through Farm Storage Facility Loans. For Sugar Storage Facility Loans, the maximum principal amount of any loan is calculated as 85 percent of the net cost of the applicant’s needed storage.
Commodity Loans
Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs) offered by FSA provide producers interim financing at harvest time to meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at harvest-time lows.
Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs) offered by FSA are payments made to producers who, although eligible to obtain a CCC loan, agree to forgo the loan in return for a payment on the eligible commodity.
To get help with loans for your specific situation, contact your local Service Center or use one of the farm loan tools below.
Grants
USDA does not offer grants for purchasing land and most grants that are available are for low dollar amounts or for very specific purposes. If you are looking for a grant, check with your local Service Center — they may be aware of state grant opportunities — or check out the following resources:
Farm Loan Assistance Tool
Check your eligibility for FSA loans, discover the various FSA loan products, learn about documentation requirements, and follow easy-to-understand instructions when completing the loan application forms.
Farmers.gov also offers the Farm Loan Discovery Tool where you can find a USDA Farm Loan that might be right for you by answering a few short questions. Learn about your eligibility and find application guides to help you prepare for your USDA Service Center visit with a loan officer.
Ver en Español: Buscador de Préstamos Agrícolas
Farm Loan Application Quick Guides
Once you have a better idea of the type of loan you need for your farm operation, use one of our PDF guides below to learn how to apply for farm loans and prepare for your visit to a Service Center. Your local USDA Service Center can help guide you throughout the loan application process.
- Quick Guide for Individuals
- Quick Guide for Entities
- Quick Guide for Microloans
- Quick Guide for Youth Loans
These guides are also available en Español.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loans
Are you new to farming or ranching? USDA can help you get started or grow your farming operation through a variety of programs and services. From farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance, USDA is here to support you and your operation.
Log in to View Your Farm Loan Information
If you already have an existing farm loan with USDA, you can securely view loan details and other financial information with a farmers.gov account.
Using a desktop, tablet, or phone, you can access your farmers.gov portal account to view:
- Loan information
- Interest payments for the current calendar year (including year-to-date interest paid for the past five years)
- Loan advance and payment history
- Paid-in-full and restructured loans
- Account alerts, giving borrowers important notifications regarding their loans. For example, an account alert will be displayed if a loan is past due.
Find Your Local Service Center
USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.
Learn more about our Urban Service Centers.
Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office or to find an insurance agent near you.
