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Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans
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Program level:
National
Provider:
USDA Farm Service Agency
Benefits provided:
Financial
Land use:
Agriculture
Water-focused program:
No
For beginning farmers. Access farm ownership, operating, and micro loans.
Overview
Description:
While FSA is fully committed to all farmers and ranchers, there is a special focus on the particular credit needs of farmers and ranchers who are in their first 10 years of operation. Each year, FSA targets a portion of its lending by setting aside a portion of all loan funds for financing beginning farmer and rancher operations.
Eligibility:
A beginning farmer is defined as one who:
- Has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years
- Does not own a farm or ranch greater than 30 percent of the average size farm in the county as determined by the most current Census for Agriculture at the time the loan application is submitted
Financial benefit:
Financial benefits vary per project
Contact information
Information last updated on July 15, 2025.
Planning Importance
Developing a forest, agricultural, or conservation plan helps identify and prioritize objectives for landowners. These objectives can determine what type programs to search for. Supporting organizations in your area often provide free consultation and planning.
Landscape Characteristics
See how your land fits into the broader context of regional conservation, ecosystem services, and working lands' values across the landscape through our interactive mapper tool. It could help you determine which program is a good fit for you!
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