Farm Operating Loans and Loan Guarantees

Program objective

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers direct and guaranteed loans to farmers and ranchers to promote, build, and sustain family farms for a thriving agricultural economy. The goal of FSA’s farm loan program is to provide supervised credit and management assistance to eligible farmers to become owners or operators, or both, of family farms or to continue such operations when credit is not available elsewhere.

As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.

No open or forecasted opportunities are currently posted under this listing. Programs often post notices on an annual cycle — see recently closed opportunities below for timing.

Eligible applicants (program level)

• ✓Unrestricted by Entity Type
• ✓Unrestricted by Individual Type

General Eligibility for Direct Loans: The following requirements must be met to qualify for an FSA Direct Operating Loan, unless otherwise stated in the eligibility requirements for the loan: I. Be a family farmer; II. Have a satisfactory credit history; III. Be a citizen of the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands; a U.S. non- citizen national or a qualified alien under federal immigration law; IV. Be unable to obtain credit elsewhere at reasonable rates and terms to meet actual needs; V. Have the legal capacity to incur the obligations of the loan; VI. Not have outstanding unpaid judgments obtained by the U.S. in any court, excluding judgments filed in U.S. Tax Courts; VII. Not be delinquent on a federal debt; VIII. Must not have provided FSA with false or misleading documents or statements in the past; IX. Not have been convicted under federal or state laws of planting, cultivating, growing, producing, harvesting, or storing a controlled substance within the last 5 crop years; X. Not have received debt forgiveness from FSA (certain exceptions apply); and XI. Be within the time restrictions as to the number of years they can receive FSA assistance. General Eligibility for Guaranteed Loan Applicants: An applicant, including members of an entity applicant, must meet the following eligibility criteria to obtain a guaranteed loan: I. Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and certain former Pacific Trust Territories II. Have an acceptable credit history as determined by the lender III. Demonstrate ability to repay the loan IV. Provide sufficient security for the loan V. Have the legal capacity to incur the obligations of the loan VI. Be unable to obtain a loan without a guarantee VII. Have not received FSA debt forgiveness on more than three occasions on or prior to April 4, 1996; or any occasion after April 4, 1996 VIII. Be the owner or tenant operator of a family farm after the loan is closed. For Operating Loans, the applicant must be the operator of a family farm after the loan is closed. IX. Not be delinquent on any federal debt X. Not have outstanding unpaid judgments obtained by the U.S. in any court excluding judgments filed in U.S. Tax Courts; XI. Not have provided FSA with false or misleading documents or statements in the past; XII. Not have been convicted under federal or state laws of planting, cultivating, growing, producing, harvesting, or storing a controlled substance within the last 5 crop years. Applications may also be made by entities. Entities are corporations, cooperatives, joint operations, partnerships, trusts, and limited liability companies. Their members/stockholders must meet these same eligibility requirements. The entity must also be authorized to operate a farm or ranch in the state where the land is located. For socially disadvantaged members, they must hold a majority interest in the entity applicant to receive targeted funding.

Intended beneficiaries: Individual/Family.

Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions