Loans Available to Struggling Farmers

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in West Virginia is reaching out to women, ethnic and minority farmers in the state in an effort to get more of them involved in its programs.

FSA defines a socially disadvantaged farmer, rancher or agricultural producer as one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as a member of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities.

SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

FSA also reserves a portion of its direct and guaranteed loan funds each year for SDA loans for eligible participants. These loan programs are designed to help farmers purchase and operate family farms.

Provisions of the new farm bill recently signed by President Bush increased loan limits for all direct loan applicants from $200,000 to $300,000.

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a given program before FSA can extend program benefits.

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