Credit and Financial Assistance Available for Agriculture

Programs

USDA Ag Energy Initiative Sign Up Extended

June 22, 2010 – The sign-up period for USDA’s Ag Energy Initiative has been extended to July 9th, announced Denise Coleman, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Producers interested in obtaining an energy audit to save both money and energy should apply now to be considered for the 2010 funding cycle. More

USDA Issues Final Rule for Conservation Stewardship Program

Sign-up extended to June 25th    Details

NRCS to Provide $1.1 Million to Protect Private Forest Land in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA, May 27, 2010- USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications in Adams, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Snyder and York Counties for approximately $1.1 million available to protect Pennsylvania’s forest land through the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP).  Details

Agriculture Stimulus Package

Organic Funding Program Grants

Pennsylvania MarketMaker

 Pennsylvania MarketMakeris an online tool, that provides access to free, in-depth marketing information to help farmers find markets for their products throughout Pennsylvania and other participating states.

MarketMaker is a resource designed to boost farmers’ marketing efforts, help consumers and businesses find locally grown products, and contribute to agricultural profitability….in line with the mission of the state program, PA Preferred®. Likewise, other buyers and sellers in the food supply chain, including food retailers, processors, wholesalers, producers and farmers, restaurants, wineries, farmers’ markets and others will be able to find your business and products. 

Pennsylvania MarketMaker is part of a growing national network of MarketMaker websites. Currently, the network has one of the most extensive collections of searchable food industry data in the U.S., with 350,000+ farmer and food business profiles.

Learn more and register at http://pa.foodmarketmaker.com

Center for Farm Transitions
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture -- The Center for Farm Transitions is staffed by personnel who have knowledge and experience in many aspects of issues faced by a farmer in transition. The Center can assist: beginning farmers; next generation family farmers; retiring farmers; relocating farmers; and farmers wishing to expand, develop new areas of their operation or convert to another type of farm. If your situation is unique, the Center’s staff will research your situation and work with you to develop a plan of action. Contact by phone: 1-877-475-2686 or visit their website: http://www.iplantofarm.com/Resources.aspx

Center for Dairy Excellence
Cash Flow Analysis Grants -- Forty $1,500 grants are available to assist dairy farms struggling to manage cash flow in a cash-negative milk sales environment. Grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, pending approval of applicant. Find out more information at 717-346-0849 or by visiting http://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/index.php/business-budgeting-grants.html.

Profit Teams-- Three variations of the Profit Team concept are available to dairy producers interested in enrolling in the program. Producers enrolled in the program have $3,500 in funding available, along with additional resources, to support their team. For more information, call 717-346-0849 or visit the below websites.

Dairy Profit Teams - help producers realize higher production, improved reproduction, better herd health and greater profits: http://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/index.php/traditional.html.

Target Profit Teams - complements the existing Dairy Profit Team program to help producers solve a specific operational bottleneck or develop a specific new initiative: http://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/index.php/target.html.

Succession Planning Teams - focuses on helping dairy producers transition their farm to the next generation: http://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/index.php/succession.htm

PAgrows
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture -- PAgrows provides access to grants and low interest loans (from state and federal programs) which help to compliment private and local lender funding.  PAgrows tailors their suggestions based on your farm operation and your needs. For more information, call 1-888- 724-7697 or visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/pagrows/site/default.asp.

USDA – Farm Service Agency
The following list summarizes some of the loans available from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). For a complete listing and more details, including rates and terms, please contact your local FSA office or visit their website at www.fsa.usda.gov.

• The Direct Farm Ownership Program offers maximum loans of up to $300,000 or use in purchasing farm, constructing buildings or other improvements, soil and water conservation and for the payment of closing costs.
• The Down Payment Program offers at least 45 percent of the purchase price or the appraised value or $225,000 to purchase farms.
  Direct Operating Loans are available for up to $300,000 for the purchase of livestock, poultry, equipment, feed, seed, farm chemicals and supplies, soil and water conservation and refinancing indebtedness with certain limitations.
• Direct Emergency Loans are available for 100 percent of actual or physical losses up to a $500,000 maximum program indebtedness for the use in restoration or replacement of essential property, to pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, to pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the farming operation or for refinancing indebted-ness with certain limitations.
• Guaranteed Operating Loans are available for up to $1.094 million (amount adjusted annually for inflation) and may be used for the same purposes as Direct Operating Loans, except the loan may also be used to refinance debts.
• Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loans are available for up to $1.094 million and may be used for the same purposes as Direct Farm Ownership Loans, except the loan may also be used to refinance debts.
• Value Added Producer Grants

Ag Choice Farm Credit
AgChoice Farm Credit’s primary focus is on loans and services for agriculture but also offers country home loans, forest product loans, agri-business loans and small farm loans in rural communities. You can locate your local branch at http://www.agchoice.com/locate/ or by calling 1-800-349-3568.

Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit
MidAtlantic Farm Credit makes farm and country home loans, loans for equipment and buildings, land loans, construction loans, improvement loans and production/operating loans. You can locate your local branch at http://midatlanticfarmcredit.com/loans-branch.asp?mapage=locations or by calling 1-800-442-7334.