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- FSA-2001, Request for Direct Loan Assistance
- Instructions

*All FSA direct loan applications require the same basic forms.
Simultaneous requests for a direct farm ownership loan and a direct operating loan should be combined on a single loan application form.
- When you meet with your FSA county Farm Loan Program staff, you may be asked to complete additional forms based on applicable loan program requirements for the loan type.

FSA's Direct Farm Operating Loans are a valuable resource to start, maintain and strengthen a farm or ranch. For new agricultural producers, FSA's Direct Farm Operating Loans provide an essential gateway into agricultural production by financing the cost of&#x2004;operating a farm. With a maximum loan amount of $400,000, all FSA Direct Operating Loans are financed and serviced by the Agency through [local Farm Loan Officers and Farm Loan Managers](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/index). The [funding](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/funding/index) comes from Congressional appropriations as part of the USDA budget.


**Loan Purposes:**


Operating loans must be essential to the success of the farming operation and only for the following purposes:

- Costs associated with reorganizing a farm to improve profitability, for example:

    - purchase of equipment to convert from conventional to no-till production

    - change from stocker to cow-calf production

    - shifting from row crop to vegetable production

    - purchasing grain drying and storage equipment to facilitate better marketing

    - purchase shares in value-added processing and marketing cooperatives

- Purchase of livestock, including poultry

- Purchase farm equipment

- Farm operating expenses including, and not limited to:

    - feed

    - seed

    - fertilizer

    - pesticides

    - farm supplies

    - cash rent

    - family living expenses

    - initial processing of agricultural commodities, under certain circumstances

- Minor improvements or repairs to buildings

- Refinance certain farm-related debts, excluding real estate

- Land and water development, use, or conservation

- Loan closing and borrower training costs



FSA's Direct Farm Operating Loans are a valuable resource to start, maintain and strengthen a farm or ranch. For new agricultural producers, FSA's Direct Farm Operating Loans provide an essential gateway into agricultural production by financing the cost of operating a farm. With a maximum loan amount of $400,000, all FSA Direct Operating Loans are financed and serviced by the Agency through local Farm Loan Officers and Farm Loan Managers. The funding comes from Congressional appropriations as part of the USDA budget.

Loan Purposes:

Operating loans must be essential to the success of the farming operation and only for the following purposes:
- Costs associated with reorganizing a farm to improve profitability, for example:
    - purchase of equipment to convert from conventional to no-till production
    - change from stocker to cow-calf production
    - shifting from row crop to vegetable production
    - purchasing grain drying and storage equipment to facilitate better marketing
    - purchase shares in value-added processing and marketing cooperatives
- Purchase of livestock, including poultry
- Purchase farm equipment
- Farm operating expenses including, and not limited to:
    - feed
    - seed
    - fertilizer
    - pesticides
    - farm supplies
    - cash rent
    - family living expenses
    - initial processing of agricultural commodities, under certain circumstances
- Minor improvements or repairs to buildings
- Refinance certain farm-related debts, excluding real estate
- Land and water development, use, or conservation
- Loan closing and borrower training costs

There are 2 different types of qualifications which need to be met:
- Eligible farm enterprise
- General eligibility requirements

First, the operation must be an eligible farm enterprise. Operating loan funds cannot be used to finance nonfarm enterprises, such as exotic birds, tropical fish, dogs or horses used for non-farm purposes (racing, pleasure, show and boarding).

General eligibility requirements include:
- Not having Federal or State conviction(s) for planting, cultivating, growing, producing, harvesting, storing, trafficking, or possession of controlled substances
- The legal ability to accept responsibility for the loan obligation
- An acceptable credit history
- Be a United States citizen, non-citizen national or legal resident alien of the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and certain former Pacific Trust Territories
- No previous debt forgiveness by the Agency, including a guarantee loan loss payment
- Being unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere, with or without an FSA loan guarantee
- No delinquency on a Federal debt, other than IRS tax debt, at the time of loan closing
- Not being ineligible due to disqualification resulting from a Federal Crop Insurance violation
- Have sufficient managerial ability to assure a reasonable expectation of loan repayment

Explanation of "Managerial Ability":

Managerial ability is shown to the Agency through any combination of education, on-the-job training, and farm experience or by meeting just 1 of these criteria. The level of management ability required will depend on the complexity of the operation and the amount of the loan request. Every application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Education:
- 4-year college degree or graduate degree in agricultural related field(s)
- 2-year college degree from a technical college in agricultural related field
- Successful completion of farm management curriculum offered by the Cooperative Extension Service, a community college, adult vocational agricultural program or Land Grant university
- Successful completion of a community-based, nationally-based, non-profit or similar farm workshop programs
- Vocational or general agriculture classes in high school in addition to working on a farm and participating in, and successfully complete agricultural projects in, 4-H, FFA, Tribal youth organizations, Grange Youth, or another agricultural affiliated club

On-The-Job Training:
- Working or recently worked as hired farm labor with management responsibilities (make day-to-day decisions)
- Completing or recently completed a farm mentorship, internship or apprenticeship program with an emphasis on management requirements and day-to-day farm decisions
- Participating or recently participated in urban or community-supported agriculture programs which incorporate basic agricultural training

Farm Experience:
- Owner, manager or operator of a farm business for at least 1 full production and marketing cycle within 5 years of the date of the loan application
- Employed as a migrant farm worker and elevated to leadership or foreperson position for at least 1 entire production and marketing cycle with responsibilities related to crop and field management, livestock health, breeding supervision, labor management or hiring, or general farm management
- Raised on a farm and had significant responsibility for day-to-day management decisions for at least 1 entire production and marketing cycle
- Obtained and successfully repaid at least 1 FSA Youth Loan

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

- Fact Sheet: Farm Loans Overview (PDF, 807 KB)
- Direct Loan Making Handbook 3-FLP (PDF, 2.5 MB)
- Farm Answers Library
- National Agrability Project
- USDA Veterans in Agriculture
- Farmers.gov
- 

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Weeds

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

High Tunnel

Irrigation

Storage

Business Plan

Cash Rent

Refinancing

Transition

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Air Quality

Landscape

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Trade Relief

Succession

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Marketing

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Legal & Finance

Infrastructure

Equipment

Water Management

Labor

Local Food

Soil Health

Food Systems

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Maximum Loan Limitations:

The maximum loan amount for a Direct Farm Operating Loan is $400,000. There is no down payment requirement. 

Repayment Terms:

Direct Farm Operating loan repayment terms vary depending upon the purpose of the loan, the loan applicant's ability to pay, and when income is projected to be available. General operating and family living expenses are normally due within 12 months or when the agricultural commodities sell. For larger purchases such as equipment, minor repairs, or livestock, the term will not exceed 7 years.

Interest Rate:

The interest rate charged is always the lower rate in effect at the time of loan approval or loan closing for the type of loan wanted. Interest rates are calculated and posted the 1st of each month.

Credit Score Basics:

FSA does not use credit scores. Loan applicants are expected to have acceptable repayment history with other creditors, including the Federal Government. Loan applicants are not automatically disqualified if there are isolated incidents of slow payments; no credit history; or if it can be shown that any recent undesirable credit problems were temporary and beyond a loan applicant’s control. "No history" of credit transaction by a loan applicant does not automatically indicate an unacceptable credit history.


Locating a Lender:

You may click on one of the link below and select the desired state for a list of current FSA guaranteed lenders.
- Guaranteed Lender List By State, Effective March 31, 2020

Please note that this list is intended to get you started by providing very basic lender contact information. It may not contain all agricultural lenders in your area, and some lenders have multiple branches which are not specifically listed. Your local FSA Farm Loan Team can help you connect with a local lender, too, or provide you with a list of lenders known to make agricultural loans in your geographic location.

FSA’s Guaranteed Farm Loan Programs help&#x2004;family farmers and ranchers to obtain loans from USDA-approved commercial lenders at reasonable terms to buy farmland or finance agricultural production. FSA will guarantee farm loans through a commercial lender up to $1,776,000. Financial institutions receive additional loan business as well as benefit from the safety net the FSA provides by guaranteeing farm loans up to 95 percent against possible financial loss of principal and interest.


**Guaranteed versus Direct Farm Loans:**


With a guaranteed farm loan, the lender is FSA's customer, not the loan applicant. Guaranteed loans are the property and responsibility of the lender. The lender and loan applicant complete the Application for Guarantee and submit it to the FSA Service Center in their lending area. The Service Center works with the commercial lender to process the guarantee. The Farm Loan Officer reviews the application for applicant eligibility, repayment ability, adequacy of collateral, and compliance with other regulations, and if the applicant meets those requirements, the request is approved. The Service Center issues the lender a conditional commitment outlining the terms of the loan guarantee and indicating that the loan may be closed. The lender closes the loan and advances funds to the applicant, after which the Service Center staff issues the guarantee. The lender makes the loan and services it to conclusion. In the event the lender suffers a loss, FSA will reimburse the lender according to the terms and conditions specified in the guarantee.

A direct loan is funded directly by the Agency. The money used for direct loans comes from annual Congressional appropriations received as part of the USDA budget. The Agency is responsible for making and servicing the loan.


**Types of Guaranteed Farm Loans:**


- **FARM OWNERSHIP** loans may be used to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings and other fixtures, develop farmland to promote soil and water conservation, or to refinance debt.

- **FARM OPERATING** loans may be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance, and other operating expenses. Operating loans also may be used to pay for minor improvements to buildings, costs associated with land and water development, family living expenses, and to refinance debt under certain conditions. These loans may be structured as term loans or lines of credit depending upon the purpose and intended term of the loan.

- The **_EZ GUARANTEE_** Program is available for smaller loans. This program provides a simplified Guaranteed Loan application process to help small, new or underserved family farmers with early financial assistance. The EZ Guarantee is available for loan applications up to $100,000 for farm operating or farm ownership purposes. Streamlined financial underwriting is available for these loans, allowing all approved lenders to analyze the request in the same manner in which they would analyze a nonguaranteed loan request of the same size and type. All existing eligibility, loan purpose, security, and other requirements remain the same.



FSA’s Guaranteed Farm Loan Programs help family farmers and ranchers to obtain loans from USDA-approved commercial lenders at reasonable terms to buy farmland or finance agricultural production. FSA will guarantee farm loans through a commercial lender up to $1,776,000. Financial institutions receive additional loan business as well as benefit from the safety net the FSA provides by guaranteeing farm loans up to 95 percent against possible financial loss of principal and interest.

Guaranteed versus Direct Farm Loans:

With a guaranteed farm loan, the lender is FSA's customer, not the loan applicant. Guaranteed loans are the property and responsibility of the lender. The lender and loan applicant complete the Application for Guarantee and submit it to the FSA Service Center in their lending area. The Service Center works with the commercial lender to process the guarantee. The Farm Loan Officer reviews the application for applicant eligibility, repayment ability, adequacy of collateral, and compliance with other regulations, and if the applicant meets those requirements, the request is approved. The Service Center issues the lender a conditional commitment outlining the terms of the loan guarantee and indicating that the loan may be closed. The lender closes the loan and advances funds to the applicant, after which the Service Center staff issues the guarantee. The lender makes the loan and services it to conclusion. In the event the lender suffers a loss, FSA will reimburse the lender according to the terms and conditions specified in the guarantee.
A direct loan is funded directly by the Agency. The money used for direct loans comes from annual Congressional appropriations received as part of the USDA budget. The Agency is responsible for making and servicing the loan.

Types of Guaranteed Farm Loans:

- FARM OWNERSHIP loans may be used to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings and other fixtures, develop farmland to promote soil and water conservation, or to refinance debt.
- FARM OPERATING loans may be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance, and other operating expenses. Operating loans also may be used to pay for minor improvements to buildings, costs associated with land and water development, family living expenses, and to refinance debt under certain conditions. These loans may be structured as term loans or lines of credit depending upon the purpose and intended term of the loan.
- The EZ GUARANTEE Program is available for smaller loans. This program provides a simplified Guaranteed Loan application process to help small, new or underserved family farmers with early financial assistance. The EZ Guarantee is available for loan applications up to $100,000 for farm operating or farm ownership purposes. Streamlined financial underwriting is available for these loans, allowing all approved lenders to analyze the request in the same manner in which they would analyze a nonguaranteed loan request of the same size and type. All existing eligibility, loan purpose, security, and other requirements remain the same.

Qualifications:

To qualify for an FSA Guarantee, a loan applicant must:
- Be a citizen of the United States (or legal resident alien), which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and certain former Pacific Trust Territories
- Have an acceptable credit history as determined by the lender
- Have the legal capacity to incur responsibility for the loan obligation
- Be unable to obtain a loan without an FSA guarantee
- Not have caused FSA a financial loss by receiving debt forgiveness on more than 3 occasions on or prior to April 4, 1996, or any occasion after April 4, 1996, on either an FSA direct or guarantee loan
- Be the owner-operator or tenant-operator of a family farm after the loan is closed. For an Operating loan, the producer must be the operator of a family farm after the loan is closed. For a Farm Ownership loan, the producer also needs to own the farm
- Not be delinquent on any Federal debt.

Conservation Loan applicants do not have to meet the "family farm" definition nor do they have to be unable to obtain a loan without an FSA guarantee. All other eligibility requirements must be met.


- National Agricultural Library Farm Business Overview
- U.S. Small Business Administration Starting and Managing Your Business


Feed

Fertilizer

Pest Management

Seed

Historically Underserved

Interest Rates:

The Guaranteed loan interest rate and payment terms are negotiated between the lender and the applicant and may not exceed the maximum rates established by FSA.

Repayment Terms:

Repayment terms vary according to the type of loan made, the collateral securing the loan, and the producer's ability to repay. Operating Loans are normally repaid within 7 years and Farm Ownership loans cannot exceed 40 years. Operating Lines of Credit may be advanced for up to five years and all advances must be repaid within 7 years of the date of the loan guarantee.

Eligible livestock producers who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage must provide a completed application for payment and required supporting documentation to their FSA office within 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the grazing loss occurred. 

Contract growers must include a copy of the grower contract and any other supporting documents required for determining contract grower eligibility. 

Supporting documents must show evidence of loss and that grazing land or pastureland is owned or leased. If a loss of grazing was due to a fire that the eligible livestock producer was prohibited by the federal agency from having livestock graze the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a fire. FSA will use data provided by the applicant to determine eligibility for program benefits. 

Providing the data is voluntary; however, without all required data, program benefits will not be approved or provided.

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides payments to:

- Eligible livestock owners and contract growers who have covered livestock and 

- Who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage (native and improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover 

- Or certain crops planted specifically for grazing) that have suffered a loss of grazed forage due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county. 

LFP also provides payments to: 

- Eligible livestock owners or contract growers&#x2004;that have covered livestock and 

- Who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage on rangeland managed by a federal agency if, the eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire. 

The qualifying drought and qualifying grazing losses, and/or notification of prohibition to graze Federal land due to fire, must have occurred in the grazing period and crop year. 



The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides payments to:
- Eligible livestock owners and contract growers who have covered livestock and 
- Who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage (native and improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover 
- Or certain crops planted specifically for grazing) that have suffered a loss of grazed forage due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county. 
LFP also provides payments to: 
- Eligible livestock owners or contract growers that have covered livestock and 
- Who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage on rangeland managed by a federal agency if, the eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire. 
The qualifying drought and qualifying grazing losses, and/or notification of prohibition to graze Federal land due to fire, must have occurred in the grazing period and crop year. 

Eligible Counties for Drought 
An eligible livestock owner or contract grower who, as a grazed forage crop producer, owns or leases grazing land or pastureland physically located in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a: 
- D2 (severe drought) intensity in any area of the county for at least eight consecutive weeks during the normal grazing period is eligible to receive assistance in an amount equal to one monthly payment; 
- D3 (extreme drought) intensity in any area of the county at any time during the normal grazing period is eligible to receive assistance in an amount equal to three monthly payments; 
- D3 (extreme drought) intensity in any area of the county for at least four weeks during the normal grazing period or is rated a D4 (exceptional drought) intensity at any time during the normal grazing period is eligible to receive assistance in an amount equal to four monthly payments; or
- D4 (exceptional drought) in a county for four weeks (not necessarily four consecutive weeks) during the normal grazing period is eligible to receive assistance in an amount equal to five monthly payments. 
A map of eligible counties for LFP drought can be found here. 
Eligible Livestock 
Eligible livestock are grazing animals that satisfy the majority of net energy requirement of nutrition via grazing of forage grasses or legumes and include such species as alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo/ bison, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, reindeer or sheep. 
Within those species animals that are eligible include those that are or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland: 
- During the normal grazing period for the specific type of grazing land or pastureland for the county; or 
- When the federal agency prohibited the livestock owner or contract grower from having livestock graze the normally permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to fire. 
Eligible Livestock must: 
- Have been owned, leased, purchased, entered into a contract to purchase, or held by a contract grower during the 60 days prior to the beginning date of a qualifying drought or fire condition; 
- Have been sold or otherwise disposed of due to a qualifying drought condition during the current production year or one or both of the two production years immediately preceding the current production year; 
- Have been maintained for commercial use as part of a farming operation on the beginning date of the eligible drought or fire condition; 
- Not have been produced and maintained for reasons other than commercial use as part of a farming operation (such excluded uses include, but are not limited to, wild free-roaming animals or animals used for recreational purposes such as pleasure, hunting, pets, roping or for show); and 
- Not have been livestock that were or would have been in a feedlot on the beginning date of the qualifying drought or fire as part of the normal business operation of the livestock owner or contract grower. 
Eligible Producers 
To be eligible for LFP, persons or legal entities must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien, partnership of U.S. citizens, a legal entity organized under State law, or an Indian tribe or tribal organization defined in the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act that: 
- Own, cash or share lease, or be a contract grower of covered livestock during the 60 calendar days before the beginning date of a qualifying drought or fire; 
- Provide pastureland or grazing land for covered livestock, including cash-rented pastureland or grazing land as of the date of the qualifying drought or fire that is either: 
    - Physically located in a county affected by a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county; or
    - Rangeland managed by a federal agency for which the otherwise eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normally permitted livestock because of a qualifying fire. 
- Certify that they have suffered a grazing loss because of a qualifying drought or fire; and 
- Timely file an acreage report for all grazing land for which a grazing loss is being claimed.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

- Eligibility Maps

2025 Program Year Livestock Forage Disaster Program Maps (PDF files)
- Annual Crab Grass for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Annual Rye Grass for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Cool Season Improved for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Forage Sorghum for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Full Season Improved for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Full Season Improved Mixed for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Long Season Small Grains for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Native Pasture for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Short Season Fall Winter Small Grains for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Short Season Small Grains for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Short Season Spring Small Grains for 2025 LFP 11-28-25
- Warm Season Improved for 2025 LFP 11-28-25

Coronavirus

Trees

Wildfire

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Emergency

Weather

Disaster Relief

Payments 
FSA will calculate LFP payments for an eligible livestock producer for grazing losses because of a qualifying drought equal to payment factors of one, three, four or five times the LFP monthly payment rate. The LFP monthly payment rate for drought is equal to 60 percent of the lesser of either the monthly feed cost: 
- For all covered livestock owned or leased by the eligible livestock producer; or 
- Calculated by using the normal carrying capacity of the eligible grazing land of the eligible livestock producer. 
Total LFP payments to an eligible livestock owner or contract grower in a calendar year for grazing losses will not exceed five monthly payments for the same kind, type, and weight range of livestock. 
In the case of an eligible livestock owner or contract grower who sold or otherwise disposed of livestock because of drought conditions in one or both of the two previous production years immediately preceding the current production year, the payment rate will equal 80 percent of the monthly payment rate. 
FSA will calculate LFP payments for eligible livestock owners or contract growers for losses suffered because of a qualifying fire on federally managed rangeland for which the producer is prohibited from grazing the normally permitted livestock. The payment begins on the first day the permitted livestock are prohibited from grazing the eligible rangeland and ending on the earlier of the last day of the federal lease of the eligible livestock producer or the day that would make the period a 180 calendar-day period. The payment rate is 50 percent of the monthly feed cost for the number of days the owner or contract grower is prohibited from having livestock graze the managed rangeland because of a qualifying fire, not to exceed 180 calendar days.
Payments Limitation 
The Agriculture Improvement Act (2018 Farm Bill) established a maximum annual per person and legal entity payment limitation for LFP (without regard to any other program) of $125,000. 
Therefore, for 2019 and subsequent program years, no person or legal entity, excluding a joint venture or general partnership, may receive, directly or indirectly, more than $125,000 total in payments under LFP. The average adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation relating to limits on payments for persons or legal entities, excluding joint ventures and general partnerships, with certain levels of AGI will apply. Specifically, a person or legal entity with an AGI (as defined in 7 CFR Part 1400) that exceeds $900,000 will not be eligible to receive LFP payments. 
Direct attribution provisions apply to LFP. Under direct attribution, any payment to a legal entity will also be considered for payment limitation purposes to be a payment to persons or legal entities with an interest in the legal entity or in a sub-entity. To learn more, visit the Payment Eligibility and Payment Limitations fact sheet at fsa.usda.gov/payment-limitations.

Application

Applicants must verify in their application that commercial lender or Farm Service Agency loan proceeds are available to help complete the proposed farming project. Applicants that are awarded grants may not materially deviate from their approved business plans without approval from MARBIDCO and the participating commercial lender.

Mail completed applications to:

MARBIDCO Programs
1410 Forest Dr., Suite 21
Annapolis, MD 21403

Maryland Agriculture & Resource-Based Industry Development Company

Obtaining financing is difficult for most farmers, but particularly for urban farmers. A very small amount of equity capital can make a significant difference in helping these business owners to obtain bank financing (commercial loans).


MARBIDCO’s MUACLIG program addresses the finance needs of urban farmers. With the support of Farm Credit, MARBIDCO provides grant funds to incentivize the urban farmer to try to obtain commercial financing.



Obtaining financing is difficult for most farmers, but particularly for urban farmers. A very small amount of equity capital can make a significant difference in helping these business owners to obtain bank financing (commercial loans).

MARBIDCO’s MUACLIG program addresses the finance needs of urban farmers. With the support of Farm Credit, MARBIDCO provides grant funds to incentivize the urban farmer to try to obtain commercial financing.

Applicants must be qualified Beginning Urban Farmers, which are defined as being farmers (either individuals or incorporated businesses) with the principal operator(s) having:
- Limited personal or business financial resources;
- A food/fiber growing operation located in an urban community (i.e., must be geographically located within an incorporated municipality, or within the Baltimore or Washington beltways including the City of Baltimore);
- Ten or fewer years of commercial farming experience – either in a for-profit or not-for-profit setting; and
- No previous commercial agriculture loan history.

Eligible business activities include the purchase of:
- Agricultural inputs and supplies such as seed, fertilizer, compost, and baskets;
- Farm tools and equipment;
- Greenhouses, high tunnels, refrigeration, and irrigation systems; and
- Hired labor (at no more than 20% of the total eligible project cost).


Waste & Manure Management

Training

Maximum Grant Amount: $10,000, calculated at no more than 20% of the project’s total cost and no more than 25% of the amount of the approved commercial loan for the project. (The minimum grant amount is $1,000 – with a commercial loan of $4,000, combines for a $5,000 project).

Contact your local FSA Service center to apply.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) authorized the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the&#x2004;Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). 

In 2021, USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA has expanded the program to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres.



The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) authorized the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). 
In 2021, USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA has expanded the program to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres.

ELAP provides assistance for livestock feed and grazing losses that are not due to drought or wildfires on federally managed lands; losses resulting from the cost of transporting water to livestock due to an eligible drought; losses resulting from the additional cost associated with gathering livestock for treatment and/or inspection related to cattle tick fever, honeybee feed, colony and hive losses; and farm-raised fish feed and death losses. 

An eligible livestock, honeybee or farmraised fish producer who certifies they are socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, or a veteran farmer or rancher will receive 90 percent of the payment rate for the losses under ELAP.

The average adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation relating to limits on payments for persons or legal entities, excluding joint ventures and general partnerships, with certain levels of AGI apply. Specifically, a person or legal entity with an AGI (as defined in 7 CFR Part 1400) that exceeds $900,000 is not eligible to receive ELAP payments. Direct attribution provisions also apply to ELAP. Under direct attribution, any payment to a legal entity will also be considered for payment limitation purposes to be a payment to persons or legal entities with an interest in the legal entity or in a sub-entity.

Honey

Bees

Seafood

Apiary

Eels

Fish

Shellfish

Atka Mackerel

Carp

Catfish

Flounder

Goosefish

Herring

Hybrid Striped Bass

- ELAP Fact Sheet
- ELAP Education
- ELAP Decision Tool
- Supplemental Agricultural Assistance Programs Rule (January 17, 2025)
- ELAP Drought Eligibility Dashboard

Producers can apply to receive ELAP assistance at local FSA service centers. The ELAP application period ends Dec. 31 of each calendar year. 
In addition to submitting an application for payment, producers who suffered losses must submit a notice of loss to the local FSA service center that maintains the farm records for their business.

For honeybee losses, producers must file notice of loss with the FSA within 15 days after loss is apparent. For Livestock and farm-raised fish losses, producers must file notice of loss with the FSA within 30 days after loss is apparent.

Producers may submit an application for payment from ELAP anytime during the program year and up until January 30th of the following year.

List of Agricultural Funding for Feed