USDA Funding Opportunities

Farm Service Agency

Agricultural Conservation Program - funds for farmers to install grass cover, sod, waterways, etc. to help control soil erosion and improve water quality.

Annuals & Crop Programs & Deficiency Payments - farmers participate in acreage reduction programs in effect for particular crops.

Beginning Farmer Programs - for persons who have never operated a farm or ranch or those who have been out of the agricultural business more than ten years.

Commodity Loans - utilizes stored crop as collateral for loan.

Conservation Reserve Program - saves erodible or highly sensitive land. Farmers plant them in grasses and trees.

Annual rental payment while land is under multi-year contract.

Disaster Loans - for designated and contiguous communities where there is property damage and/or sever production losses resulting from natural disaster.

Max $500,000 per disaster or 80% of loss, whichever is less.

Uses: Repair/restore/replace damaged/destroyed farm property, livestock and livestock products and supplies, and to compensate for production loss.

Farm Credit Programs - direct or guaranteed loans.

Farm Operating Loans - to help beginning and existing family farmers buy feed, equipment, seed, fertilizer, pesticides, farm supplies, and cover other essential operating expenses. Up to $200,000 for direct loans and $400,000 for guaranteed loans.

Farm Ownership Loans - for people just getting started in farming or to help existing farmers improve operations or restructure debt.

Rural Economic & Community Development Service

Rural Utilities Service = offers electic and telecommunications systems low-cost, long-term loans. Also available for water and waste disposal systems for communities under 10,000 people. Grants are available for lower-income communities.

Rurual Housing & Community Development Service

Home Ownership Loans - loans and loan guarantees for purchase, construction, or improvement of single-family homes in rural communities.

Home Improvement and Repair Loans and Grants - to remove health and safety hazards from rural homes.

Rural Rental Housing Loans - financaes construction of complexes for low and moderate-income families.

Loans and Loan Guarantees - to c ommunities and non-profit organizations to construct/enl;arge/extend or otherwise improve housing or essential service.

More funds and contact information for these funds to follow.