USDA offers a variety of funding opportunities to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners finance their businesses. Explore the resources below to learn about funding programs that may meet your current business needs.
Find a USDA Farm Loan
Learn about farm loans that might be right for you by answering a few short questions.
Farm Loans
Farm Loans offer access to funding for a wide range of farmer needs, from securing land to financing the purchase of equipment. Targeted funds are set aside for groups that have been historically underserved, while there are specific loans available for youth agricultural projects and Native American Tribes.
Browse all the available farm loans below to get connected with financing options specific to your current needs. If you already have an existing loan, you can securely view loan details and other financial information. Sign in or create a farmers.gov account to use this feature.
Land Purchase or Construction Project
Direct Farm Ownership Loans provide financing to secure farm land, improve or expand current operations, increase agricultural productivity, and assist with land tenure to save farmland for future generations. The maximum amount available to qualified borrowers is $600,000.
Direct Farm Ownership Microloans are available for the same needs but limited to $50,000. The application process is simpler and requires less paperwork to complete.
Equipment, Seed, Livestock, and Other Operating Costs
Direct Farm Operating Loans offer financing to purchase equipment, seed, livestock, other necessities to maintain a successful farm and refinancing farm related debts. The maximum amount available to qualified borrowers is $400,000.
Direct Farm Operating Microloans are available for the same needs but limited to $50,000. The application process is simpler and requires less paperwork to complete.
Youth Loans
Youth Loans offer financing up to $5,000 to aspiring farmers between the ages of 10 and 20, in connection with their participation in 4-H, FFA, Tribal youth group, or other similar agricultural youth organization.
Guaranteed Farm Loans
If you do not meet the qualifications for a commercial agricultural loan, USDA can help you. Guaranteed Farm Loans are available from USDA-approved commercial lenders at reasonable terms. These may be used to buy farmland or finance agricultural production. In some cases, FSA can work with the commercial lender to provide joint financing, utilizing both Direct Farm Loans and Guaranteed Farm Loans to best meet the farmer or rancher’s needs. To learn more about Guaranteed Farm Loans, contact your local service center or contact a commercial lender in your area.
Funding for Beginning Farmers
Get Started
USDA offers a variety of loans to support America’s next generation of farmers and ranchers. No matter your business needs, there’s a Beginning Farmers Loan to fit your operation.
Business Plan
Your business plan provides a step-by-step roadmap for your investment.
Create a new business plan or update your existing plan with online tools from business and agriculture communities. A couple good places to start include:
- US Small Business Administration’s website for help writing your business plan
- AgPlan managed by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management, for an interactive business planning tool
To get help with your new farm and business plan, contact your local service center to speak with a representative.
Additional Funding
Conservation Funding
Conservation by farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners today means thriving and sustainable agriculture for our future. With that in mind, USDA provides one-on-one personalized support and access to financial resources to help you meet your conservation goals.
Visit our Conserve page to learn about available resources to strengthen conservation across your working land.
Risk Management
Agriculture is a risky business. That’s why USDA’s Risk Management Agency offers crop insurance to help you manage risk across your operation. Crop insurance is a critical component of your farm’s safety net – it helps mitigate production and revenue risks and supports a healthy rural economy.
Use RMA’s Agent Locator to find a crop insurance agent near you.
Emergency and Disaster Financial Assistance
Natural disasters can impact us all. Visit our Recover page to learn about resources USDA offers to help you prepare, recover, and build long-term resilience to natural disasters.
If you’ve recently suffered loss or damage due to a natural disaster, try our Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool. In five simple steps, you’ll learn about USDA disaster assistance programs that might be right for you.
Grants and Cost-Shares
USDA offers a range of grant and cost-share opportunities to keep working lands working, boost production, and strengthen America’s farms and ranches.
Are you applying for or renewing your National Organic Program certification? USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers an Organic Certification Cost Share Program to help with certification expenses.
Or, maybe you’re interested in conserving natural resources across your operation. Visit our Conserve page to learn about conservation resources for your farm, ranch, or production area.
You can also learn about grants related to urban agriculture.
Housing Funds
USDA’s Rural Development provides a range of homeownership opportunities to rural Americans. Visit their Housing Assistance page to learn about available loans and grants.
Tax Information
Are you interested in learning more about tax requirements for your operation? Visit the Internal Revenue Service’s Forms and Publications to Assist Farmers page for forms and publications that relate specifically to farmers.
Find Your Local Service Center
We are committed to delivering USDA services to America’s farmers and ranchers while taking safety measures in response to COVID-19. While employees continue to staff our Service Centers, some are only available for phone appointments at this time. You can learn the status of your service center through this tool. Learn more at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
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.
Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office or to find an insurance agent near you.
