Loans

Program or resource is specific to or specifically inclusive of instruction or assistance in acquiring and meeting the obligations of loan funding.

Minnesota Basic Farm Loan Program

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/loans/basic.aspx

The Basic Farm Loan Program was established to help people who want to farm in Minnesota. The program offers affordable financing, a reasonable down payment and built-in safeguards, such as farm management training and financial planning to help minimize the risk all farmers face.

Sponsoring Organization:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Minnesota Aggie Bond Beginning Farmer Loan Program

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/grants/loans/aggiebond.aspx

The Aggie Bond Loan Program is a federal bonding program administered by the State through its Rural Finance Authority. The program offers affordable financing for a qualified beginning farmer by securing a reduced interest rate on the loan the applicant is submitting for approval under the program.

Sponsoring Organization:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture

FSA Disaster Assistance Programs Directory

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=diap&topic=landing

The Farm Service Agency provides assistance for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities.

Sponsoring Organization:
FSA Farm Service Agency
USDA United States Department of Agriculture

Small Farm Funding Resources

http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ricpubs/small_farm_funding.htm

This guide contains information about issues to consider before starting a farming operation with links to full-text guides on how to start a farm business, and develop business and marketing plans.

Sponsoring Organization:
NAL National Agricultural Library

Financing Farming in the U.S.: Opportunities to Improve the Financial and Business Environment for Small and Midsized Farms Through Strategic Financing

http://thecarrotproject.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/FINAL_July_2010_2.20883...

This report "discusses (1) the reasons for the chasm between an emerging sector of smaller-scale agricultural producers and access to capital, and (2) workable strategies to create successful farmer-lender relationships." This document gives a broad overview of the challenges of financing for small-scale farming operations and some discussed so

Sponsoring Organization:
The Carrot Project

NMFMA Farmer Micro-Loan Program

http://farmersmarketsnm.org/Farmers_and_Vendors/Farmer_Micro-Loan_Program/index....

In 2010, the NMFMA, Permaculture Guild and Permaculture Credit Union initiated a low-interest micro-loan program for small-scale farmers who sell at New Mexico farmers' markets. Loans are available for amounts between $500 and $3,000, must be paid back within 40 months, and have a fixed interest rate of 6%

Sponsoring Organization:
NMFMA New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association

A Producer’s Guide to Basic Farm Lending

Understanding basic farm financial terms and concepts, how lender risks and bank covenants impact you, utilizing TOW strategies for better decision making, Assessing you credit worthiness, creating stronger financial partnerships, steps for a winning farm strategy

Sponsoring Organization:
Institute for Rural America

Farm Financing - Small Farm Loans

http://thecarrotproject.org/financing

The Carrot Project offer loans to small farms in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont, especially those having difficulty obtaining credit and use or are moving toward organic/sustainable practices or serve local and regional markets.

Sponsoring Organization:
The Carrot Project

How to Finance a Small Farm

http://sfp.ucdavis.edu/pubs/Family_Farm_Series/Farmmanage/finance/

Mainly focused on agricultural loans, this publication reviews how an agricultural business plan, along with several other documents, can serve as an explanation of borrowing needs and repayment ability. The most important thing to remember is that the lender wants assurance that the borrower can repay the loan.

Sponsoring Organization:
California Cooperative Extension

Contracts, Notes and Guaranties

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/businessmanagement/DF2590.html

This publication provides an overview of contract elements, types of promissory notes and their terms, and third-party agreements.

Sponsoring Organization:
University of Minnesota Extension