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.
August 7, 2024 - USDA has introduced major changes to the Farm Loan Programs, the most significant since 2007. These updates aim to enhance financial opportunities and accessibility for farmers and ranchers. Learn about how these changes to Farm Loan Programs will benefit you.
Find a Farm Loan
With the Loan Assistance Tool, you can check your eligibility for Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm loans, discover FSA loan products, and learn how to apply for a Direct Farm Loan online or get instructions for paper applications.
Identify Potential Savings
With the Debt Consolidation Tool, you can enter your farm operating debt and evaluate the savings if you apply for a debt consolidation loan. By merging eligible debts into one larger loan, you could benefit from more favorable payment conditions, such as lower interest rates or reduced payments.
Apply for a Direct Loan
Use the Online Loan Application tool to apply for a Direct Farm Loan and track the progress of your farm loan application.
The Online Loan Application tool is available to producers who are or will be operating their farm as an individual. In the future, the tool will be available to married couples applying jointly and other legal entities.
Learn how to use the Online Loan Application tool:
Access the tool from your farmers.gov account or by completing the Loan Assistance Tool.
Make a Direct Farm Loan Payment
Use the Pay My Loan tool to make an online payment on your Direct Farm Loans.
The Pay My Loan tool is only available for borrowers operating as individuals. Borrowers with jointly payable checks will need to continue to make loan payments through their local office.
Learn how to use the Pay My Loan tool:
To make a payment:
- Log into your farmers.gov account.
- Go to the Finances page.
- Click the "Make a Payment" button.
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.
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.
Farm Loans to Finance Climate-Smart Practices or Equipment
USDA loans to help farmers and ranchers start, expand, or maintain family agricultural operations can also be used to finance climate-smart agricultural practices or equipment.
Learn About Using Farm Loans for Climate-Smart Activities
Additional Assistance
To get help with loans for your specific situation, contact your local Service Center or use one of the farm loan tools above.
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 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.
Guides in English:
- Quick Guide for Individuals
- Quick Guide for Entities
- Quick Guide for Microloans
- Quick Guide for Youth Loans
Guides in Spanish:
- Guía rápida de solicitud de préstamo para personas físicas
- Guía rápida de solicitud de préstamo para entidades
- Guía rápida de solicitud de préstamo para microcréditos
- Guía rápida de solicitud de préstamo para jóvenes
For more resources in Spanish, visit our Translated Resources page.
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 Pay Your Farm Loan or View Loan Information
If you have a farm loan with USDA, you can view loan details and other financial information with a farmers.gov account.
You can also 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.
Additionally, borrowers who operate their farms as individuals and have Direct Farm Loans with USDA can make online payments using the Pay My Loan feature
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.
