Maine Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund

The Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund (AMLF) provides financing to help Maine agricultural businesses undertake projects to enhance the viability and vitality of the farm, and improve the manufacturing, marketability and production of their products.

An eligible Borrower must: 

• Be an agricultural or aquaculture enterprise;

• Be located in the State of Maine and currently engaged in growing or harvesting plants; raising animals; growing, obtaining or adding value to plant or animal by-products; aquaculture; or producing, processing, storing, packaging or marketing a product derived from such a business being sold commercially; and

• Propose a project that is an eligible use of the fund.

The Fund may be used to:

• Purchase equipment;

• Purchase of land in connection with development of new cranberry acreage;

• Fund agricultural irrigation;

• To support diversification of an existing farming enterprise;

• Expand an existing agricultural enterprise to comply with land use regulations;

• Improve pastureland to promote rotational grazing; and

• Design, construct, or improve buildings, docks, wharves, piers, vessels, commodity and storage structures, packing facilities, or marketing facilities.

The Fund may not be used for:

• Working capital; or

• Refinancing projects commenced, costs incurred, or expenses paid prior to loan application. However, the Borrower may submit a written request for a waiver. Such waiver must be approved in writing by the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).

AMLF provides eligible Borrowers direct loans of up to $250,000 at a 5% fixed interest rate for capital improvements.

An eligible Borrower who previously received a Maine Farms for the Future Phase I grant may request the recommendation of the Maine Farms for the Future program for a 2% fixed interest rate.

Up to 30 years and determined by the useful life of the asset(s) being financed.

1. Before you complete any forms, take time to update your business plan, budget & financial projections to include the proposed project. Contact DACF staff with any eligibility questions in advance of submitting your proposal.

2. Complete the fillable Project Eligibility Form (PDF) digitally, and email it to DACF.

3. DACF will review your Project Eligibility Form and may contact you to conduct a telephone interview and make a site visit.

4. The Commissioner will then either issue a Letter of Eligibility for your project or recommend that you revise and resubmit your Project Eligibility Form for reconsideration.

5. If the Commissioner issues a Letter of Eligibility for your project, then you, as an eligible Borrower, may submit your completed AMLF Loan Application and FAME Personal Financial Statement to FAME. You must do this within 90 days. Please see FAME's Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund webpage for more details and forms.

• Project Eligibility Form (PDF)

• Application—Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund

• Personal Financial Statement

• AMLF Fact Sheet (PDF)

• Eligibility Form (PDF)

• AMLF Rules (DOC)