Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for microloan.

Loan applications may be obtained from any Agricultural Loan Division Office. Loan Officers are available to provide assistance and guidance on the loan process. In order to be eligible for a direct loan, applicants must be denied credit from two lenders, which include banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage loan companies, the Farm Credit System and/or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A private lender may pursue a participation loan or insured loan on behalf of the applicant. Under these circumstances, the private lender will work in conjunction with the Division on the loan application.

As part of the application process, aspects such as repayment ability, collateral, capital, economic and/or environmental conditions, credit history, and other factors will be taken into consideration. Acceptable applications are presented to the Board of Agriculture for final approval, with the exception of Micro-loans, which may be approved by the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

Prior to obtaining and completing the loan application, it is recommend that you meet with or call one of our loan officers. They are available to assist you in determining your eligibility for the loan program and to guide you through the application process.

Oahu Agricultural Loan Division Office

Hilo Agricultural Loan Division Office

Kona Civic Center

The Hawaii New Farmer Loans are part of the Hawaii Agricultural Loan Division.


The State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Loan Division administers the Agricultural Loan Program and the Aquaculture Loan Program. The intent of the programs is to help promote agricultural and aquacultural development of the State by providing credit at reasonable rates and terms to qualifying individuals or entities. Through the establishment of a revolving loan fund, credit is made available by supplementing private lender sector loan funds or by providing direct funding.


Considered a “lender of last resort”, the program is not intended to compete with private sector lenders. Prospective applicants must inquire with and be denied credit from private sector lenders prior to filling an application. In addition, prospective applicants must fulfill applicable eligibility requirements. Applicants that are not able to obtain denials from the private lending sector may inquire with the private lender on the possibility of utilizing the [insured/guaranty and/or participation loan facilities.](https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/agl/home/guaranteedparticipation-loans/)



The Hawaii New Farmer Loans are part of the Hawaii Agricultural Loan Division.

The State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Loan Division administers the Agricultural Loan Program and the Aquaculture Loan Program. The intent of the programs is to help promote agricultural and aquacultural development of the State by providing credit at reasonable rates and terms to qualifying individuals or entities. Through the establishment of a revolving loan fund, credit is made available by supplementing private lender sector loan funds or by providing direct funding.

Considered a “lender of last resort”, the program is not intended to compete with private sector lenders. Prospective applicants must inquire with and be denied credit from private sector lenders prior to filling an application. In addition, prospective applicants must fulfill applicable eligibility requirements. Applicants that are not able to obtain denials from the private lending sector may inquire with the private lender on the possibility of utilizing the insured/guaranty and/or participation loan facilities.

A New Farmer is:
- A citizen of the United States who has resided in Hawaii for the preceding three years, or any permanent resident alien who has resided in Hawaii for the preceding three years; and
- A person who has successfully earned a degree in agriculture from an accredited university or community college; or
- A person displaced from employment in an agricultural production enterprise; or
- A person with two years experience as a part-time farmer; or
- A farm laborer or tenant, or a person who by reason of ability, experience and training are likely to successfully operate a farm.
- Certain restrictions may apply.

New Farmer Loans are for applicants who intend to farm full-time. A full-time farmer is a person who devotes most of their time to farming or derives most of their income from farming operations. A down payment or equity contribution equal to 15% of the total project cost is required from the applicant.

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

Loan

- Micro Loan Application
- Personal Financial Statement
- Expense Projection Sheet
- Income Assumptions
- Monthly Cash Flow Projections
- Food Manufacturing Income Assumptions


Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Regenerative

Certification

Carbon Capture

Wildlife Habitats

Soil Health

Cash Rent

Business Plan

Refinancing

Transition

Events

Diversification

Distribution

Training

Cover Crops

Grazing & Grass-Fed

Organic

Strip-Till

No-Till

Succession

Trade Relief

Labor

Facilities

Equipment

Loan Rate and Amount:
- Interest Rates:  6% or 1.5% below the prime rate whichever is less with an interest rate floor of 3%. Rates are fixed at time of loan approval.
- Amount: $250,000 (see Note)

Note: Maximum loan amount of $250,000 may be used for a Farm Ownership and Improvement loan or a Farm Operating loan, or a combination of both types of loans.

Farm Ownership and Improvement Loans:
- Purpose: Purchase or improvement of farmland; construction, or improvement of essential farm buildings; liquidation of indebtedness for the foregoing purposes.
- Maximum Term: 40 years

Farm Operating Loans:
- Purpose: Purchase of farm equipment and livestock; payment of production and marketing expenses including materials, labor, and services; payment of living expenses; liquidation of indebtedness incurred for the foregoing purposes.
- Maximum Term: 10 years

Micro-Loans are also available for New Farmers, however, theses loans are restricted to operating loan purposes only. The maximum loan amount is $25,000 and the maximum term is 10 years. The application process minimizes paperwork and the loan approval process is expedited.

Loan applications may be obtained from any Agricultural Loan Division Office. Loan Officers are available to provide assistance and guidance on the loan process. In order to be eligible for a direct loan, applicants must be denied credit from two lenders, which include banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage loan companies, the Farm Credit System, and/or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A private lender may pursue a participation loan or insured/guaranty loan on behalf of the applicant. Under these circumstances, the private lender will work in conjunction with the Division on the loan application.

As part of the application process, aspects such as repayment ability, collateral, and credit history, economic and environmental conditions, and historic performance will be taken into consideration. Acceptable applications are presented to the Board of Agriculture for final approval, with the exception of Micro-loans, which may be approved by the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

Prior to obtaining and completing the loan application, it is recommend that you meet with or call one of your local loan officers. They are available to assist you in determining your eligibility for the loan program and to guide you through the application process.

The Hawaii Qualified Farmer Loan is part of the Hawaii Agricultural Loan Division.


The State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Loan Division administers the Agricultural Loan Program and the Aquaculture Loan Program. The intent of the programs is to help promote agricultural and aquacultural development of the State by providing credit at reasonable rates and terms to qualifying individuals or entities. Through the establishment of a revolving loan fund, credit is made available by supplementing private lender sector loan funds or by providing direct funding.


Considered a “lender of last resort”, the program is not intended to compete with private sector lenders. Prospective applicants must inquire with and be denied credit from private sector lenders prior to filling an application. In addition, prospective applicants must fulfill applicable eligibility requirements. Applicants that are not able to obtain denials from the private lending sector may inquire with the private lender on the possibility of utilizing the [insured/guaranty and/or participation loan facilities.](https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/agl/home/guaranteedparticipation-loans/)



The Hawaii Qualified Farmer Loan is part of the Hawaii Agricultural Loan Division.

The State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Loan Division administers the Agricultural Loan Program and the Aquaculture Loan Program. The intent of the programs is to help promote agricultural and aquacultural development of the State by providing credit at reasonable rates and terms to qualifying individuals or entities. Through the establishment of a revolving loan fund, credit is made available by supplementing private lender sector loan funds or by providing direct funding.

Considered a “lender of last resort”, the program is not intended to compete with private sector lenders. Prospective applicants must inquire with and be denied credit from private sector lenders prior to filling an application. In addition, prospective applicants must fulfill applicable eligibility requirements. Applicants that are not able to obtain denials from the private lending sector may inquire with the private lender on the possibility of utilizing the insured/guaranty and/or participation loan facilities.

A Qualified Farmer is:
- A citizen of the United States who has resided in Hawaii for the preceding three years, or any permanent resident alien who has resided in Hawaii for the preceding three years; and
- A person of proven farming ability who has operated their own farm for two or more years; and
- A person who devotes most of their time or derives most of their net income from the farming operation.

Sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and cooperatives are among the legal forms of businesses eligible to apply for a loan. Other forms of businesses may also be eligible for other loan facilities.
- An eligible sole proprietor is one who qualifies individually by meeting the requirements listed above.
- Eligible partnerships are controlled by at least seventy-five percent by persons who qualify individually.
- Eligible corporations are those where at least seventy-five percent of the stockholders and directors qualify individually.
- Eligible cooperatives shall have a majority of its board of directors and a majority of its membership qualifying individually and shall be engaged in marketing, purchasing, and processing, and providing of farm business services.

Local Food

Trees

Wildfire

Weather

Fencing

Coronavirus

Farmers Market

Hurricane

Tornado

Flood

Drought

Legal & Finance

Emergency

Conservation

Water Management

1. Loan amount shall not exceed eighty-five per cent of the value of the security offered and cannot be made on un-surveyed land.
2. The Micro-Loan application process minimizes paperwork and the loan processing procedure is expedited.
3. Facility loans require a down payment or equity contribution of 15% and cannot exceed 85% of the value of the security offered.

Emergency Loans are available to provide relief and rehabilitation due to environmental disasters, disease epidemics, and other economic emergencies. Emergency Loans are activated by declaration of a disaster by the Governor and are at an interest rate not less than 3% per annum. The Board of Agriculture determines the loan amount and terms. Qualified Farmers affected by State eradication programs may be eligible for a Farm Operating Loan at an interest rate of 3% to rehabilitate their farm operation. Soil and Water Conservation Loans are also available for water development and conservation purposes.

Farm Ownership and Improvement: Purchase or improvement of farmland; construction, or improvement of essential farm buildings; liquidation of indebtedness of the foregoing purposes.

Farm Operating Micro-Loans: Purchase of farm equipment and livestock; payment of production and marketing expenses including materials, labor, and services; payment of living expenses; liquidation of indebtedness incurred for the foregoing purposes.

You can download an application to fill out by hand, or you can fill out an application online. Applications are reviewed and approved by the LaM FUND Advisory Committee on an ongoing basis. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with us to review your application; to contact the LaM FUND committee, please email lmfund@lamontanita.coop. LaM FUND loans include a $25 application fee and a 5% access to funds fee.


Joseph P

The La Montañita (LaM) FUND is a member funded micro-lending program designed to grow the local food system and strengthen the local economy. It provides an opportunity for members of La Montañita Food Co-op to support farms, ranches, value-added producers, and other food system endeavors and related businesses in the La Montañita foodshed region, as well as non-food businesses in New Mexico that utilize the cooperative economic business model. La Montañita Co-op Members can purchase Interests (similar to investing in a mutual fund) in the LaM FUND. Proceeds from the sale of the Interests in this offering are deposited in an account with Nusenda Credit Union for use as collateral for loans made by Nusenda to local producers and based on the recommendations of the LaM FUND Loan Advisory Committee. The loans are administered by Nusenda.



If you are a farmer, rancher, value-added producer, operate some other food system endeavor, or manage a cooperative business, you can apply for a loan through the La Montañita (LaM) FUND. 

- Apply for a Loan
- Statement on fair lending practices

Food Systems

La Montañita owns and controls the LaM FUND. The FUND consists of two types of Interests—A and B. Both A Interests and B Interests allow for the participation in LaM FUND activities but do not provide ownership of the LaM FUND. They do entitle A and B Interest purchasers to a share of any income from LaM FUND activities, such as loan fees, as determined by the La Montañita Board of Directors, proportional to the number of Interests they have purchased. La Montañita will purchase all A Interests by rolling over its A Interests purchased in the previous offerings. If a loan defaults, collateral provided by A Interests will be accessed first to repay Nusenda before collateral provided by B Interests is accessed.

The investing aspect of the LaM FUND is open to all current Co-op members who reside in New Mexico. The money raised from the sale of the “Interests” are placed in a Money Market account at Nusenda Credit Union, and are used to collateralize the loans to producers and other cooperative enterprises approved by the LaM FUND’s Loan Advisory Committee.

Interests are $250 each with a total 800 units in this year’s offering. The Interests are divided into 100, A-Interests and 700, B-Interests. La Montañita Co-op will purchase all 100, of the A-Interests for a total Co-op investment of $25,000 this year. Monies from the Co-op purchased A-Interests will be used first to cover outstanding balances in the event of a LaM FUND loan default. These A-Interests are the Co-op’s financial commitment to the program and although the purchase of LaM FUND’s interests are considered high risk, the A-Interests purchased by the Co-op, provide a lessening of risk to other LaM FUND investors.

B-Interests are available to all Co-op members on a first come first serve basis until they are gone. To keep the grassroots nature of the investing program individuals are limited to 40 B-Interests for an individual maximum investment of $10,000. Investors who purchase the “Interests” will receive the highest possible Nusenda money market interest rate (based on the total amount in the account) on our cooperatively pooled, federally insured account.  Any income generated by LaM FUND loans will be shared in proportion to the number of “Interests” purchased. The Interests have a one-year term beginning January 1st and ending on December 31.

Payments to investors on LaM FUND generated income will be approved by a vote of the Co-op Board of Directors in much the same manner as they now approve the annual membership patronage refunds and will be paid within the first 90 days of each year.

Co-op members can purchase B-Interests by December 31 for the following year.

Loan applications will be taken on an ongoing basis. The LaM FUND Loan Committee will meet periodically to review all applications. Funds for approved loans will be available in late winter and early spring just in time for the growing season.

Contact representative for more information.

New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association

The New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association (NMFMA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support farmers and producers who grow and sell food at farmers' markets and other local and direct marketing venues in New Mexico.


With donations received, the NMFMA maintains an account at the Sandia Area Federal Credit Union (SAFCU) with funds to be used as collateral for small loans to New Mexico farmers. This enables the loans to be offered at a low interest rate and as the loans are repaid, the funds can be reused to secure new loans. It is reuse and recycling at its best!



The New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association (NMFMA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support farmers and producers who grow and sell food at farmers' markets and other local and direct marketing venues in New Mexico.

With donations received, the NMFMA maintains an account at the Sandia Area Federal Credit Union (SAFCU) with funds to be used as collateral for small loans to New Mexico farmers. This enables the loans to be offered at a low interest rate and as the loans are repaid, the funds can be reused to secure new loans. It is reuse and recycling at its best!

To qualify for a loan, applicants must comply with each of the following requirements:
- Only members of the NMFMA are eligible to apply. Join the NMFMA here.
- Submit an NMFMA Pre-qualification Letter (download guidelines here). Applicants may also call the NMFMA at (505) 983-4010, to request an application form by mail or fax.
- Must be a SFACU member by establishing an account at SFACU with a $50.00 balance, and upon pre-qualification approval, fill out a basic one-page NMFMA Loan Application.
- Must be a food producer or food vendor (for at least one year) at an NMFMA member market. If you are a New Mexico food producer, food vendor, or are affiliated with local food who does not sell at an NMFMA member market, please contact us and we may be able to help.
- We may request an exit interview at the end of the payment period.

Members may send Pre-qualification Letters to: questions@farmersmarketsnm.org.

Marketing

- 40 months
- Fixed interest rate of 6% (check with NMFMA for most current rate)

There is no penalty for early repayment.

Many answers are found in our booklet, "Your Guide to FSA Farm Loans". It is also recommended that you call and make an appointment with your nearest Farm Loan Officer or Farm Loan Manager. Agency officials are required to:
- Help loan applicants complete FSA forms and gather information necessary for a complete application;
- Explain the application procedure, process, and the requirements for a complete application;
- Assist loan applicants in completing FSA forms and identifying sources of information needed for a complete application, if assistance is requested;
- Inform loan applicants of other technical assistance providers who may be of assistance at minimal or no charge. Some examples include, and are not limited to, the Cooperative Extension Service, non-profit organizations and institutions, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and other similar organizations; and
- Advise applicants of alternatives that will help overcome any possible barriers to being determined eligible for an FSA loan.

Suggestions for Meeting with Farm Loan Officer
- Have a general idea of what it is you want to do and be able to identify your goals. What type of operation do you have or want to have? What do you need to operate that farm or ranch? How will you market your product(s)? How much do you need? What are your projections?
- Good recordkeeping is very important. If you do not have your records organized, it is a good idea to try and put all your income and expenses into an understandable format. It does not have to be fancy. Also, what is happening inside the household is just as important as your business needs. Expenses such as food, clothing, mortgage or rent, insurance, taxes, medical costs, credit card payments, education expenses, and other consumer debt are part of the farm plan calculations. Know your costs. Bring your records with you.
- Remember to bring any financial records, which can include tax returns, for the most recent production cycle to assist in projecting the cash flow for your loan proposal. If you need to rely on off-farm income to repay the loan, bring in your last few pay stubs.
- Bring copies of any written leases to the office with you if you are leasing land or equipment.
- It is a prudent idea to check your credit report before applying for a loan. This allows you to spot any errors or research events that may have negatively impacted your credit. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation's credit reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to credit reporting companies.

The focus of Microloans is on the financing needs of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations, such as truck farms, farms participating in direct marketing and sales such as farmers’ markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic and vertical growing methods.


**Direct Farm Ownership Microloans:**

- Make a down payment on a farm

- Build, Repair, or Improve farm buildings, service buildings, farm dwelling

- Soil and Water Conservation Projects

- May be used as a Downpayment Farm Ownership Loan

- May be used in Joint Financing


**Direct Farm Operating Microloans:**

- Essential tools

- Fencing and trellising

- Hoop houses

- Bees and bee equipment

- Milking and pasteurization equipment

- Maple sugar shack and processing equipment

- Livestock, seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, family living expenses, and other materials essential to the operation

- Irrigation

- GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), GHP (Good Handling Practices), and Organic certification costs

- Marketing and distribution costs, including those associated with selling through Farmers' Markets and Community Supported Agriculture operations

- Pay for qualifying OSHA compliance standards (Federal or State)


**Microloan versus FSA's "regular" loan:**


_Direct Farm Ownership Microloans:_

- No appraisal needed

- Verification of non-farm income unnecessary unless required for repayment

- Successful repayment of an FSA Youth loan may be used towards the required 3 years of management experience


_Direct Farm Operating Microloans:_

- The Microloan program allows for situations where production yield history or reporting is impractical, not relevant to the proposal submitted, or is not available.

- Modified farm managerial experience requirements accommodate smaller farm operations, beginning farmers, and those with no farm management experience. Small business experience plus any farm experience, along with a self-guided apprenticeship, is a way to meet the farm management requirement.

- Rural Youth loan recipients with a successful repayment history, or youth who have participated in an agriculture-related organization, can meet the modified managerial ability requirements with those experiences.



The focus of Microloans is on the financing needs of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations, such as truck farms, farms participating in direct marketing and sales such as farmers’ markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic and vertical growing methods.

Direct Farm Ownership Microloans:
- Make a down payment on a farm
- Build, Repair, or Improve farm buildings, service buildings, farm dwelling
- Soil and Water Conservation Projects
- May be used as a Downpayment Farm Ownership Loan
- May be used in Joint Financing

Direct Farm Operating Microloans:
- Essential tools
- Fencing and trellising
- Hoop houses
- Bees and bee equipment
- Milking and pasteurization equipment
- Maple sugar shack and processing equipment
- Livestock, seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, family living expenses, and other materials essential to the operation
- Irrigation
- GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), GHP (Good Handling Practices), and Organic certification costs
- Marketing and distribution costs, including those associated with selling through Farmers' Markets and Community Supported Agriculture operations
- Pay for qualifying OSHA compliance standards (Federal or State)

Microloan versus FSA's "regular" loan:

Direct Farm Ownership Microloans:
- No appraisal needed
- Verification of non-farm income unnecessary unless required for repayment
- Successful repayment of an FSA Youth loan may be used towards the required 3 years of management experience

Direct Farm Operating Microloans:
- The Microloan program allows for situations where production yield history or reporting is impractical, not relevant to the proposal submitted, or is not available.
- Modified farm managerial experience requirements accommodate smaller farm operations, beginning farmers, and those with no farm management experience. Small business experience plus any farm experience, along with a self-guided apprenticeship, is a way to meet the farm management requirement.
- Rural Youth loan recipients with a successful repayment history, or youth who have participated in an agriculture-related organization, can meet the modified managerial ability requirements with those experiences.

As with the regular Operating loan program, traditional and non-traditional family farms and ranches may be eligible for Microloan financing.

General eligibility requirements include:
- Must not have Federal or State conviction(s) for planting, cultivating, growing, producing, harvesting, storing, trafficking, or possession of controlled substances
- Have the legal capacity to incur the loan obligation
- Be able to show an acceptable credit history
- Is a 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
- Have no previous debt forgiveness by the Agency, including a guarantee loan loss payment
- Be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere, with or without an FSA loan guarantee
- Not be delinquent on any Federal debt, other than IRS tax debt, at the time of loan closing
- Not be ineligible due to disqualification resulting from Federal Crop Insurance violation

- Fact Sheet: Microloans
- Direct Loan Making Handbook 3-FLP
- Farm Answers Library
- National Agrability Project
- National Organic Program
- Natural Resources and Conservation Service Resources for Small Farms
- USDA Information for Veterans
- Farmers.gov

HVAC

Lighting

Greenhouse

Buildings

Repairs

Construction

Storage

Weeds

Nutrition & Food Safety

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Research

Compliance

Disaster Relief

For the Direct Ownership Microloan, the maximum term is 25 years.

For the Direct Operating Microloan, the repayment period will vary depending upon the purpose of the loan. General operating and family living expenses are due within 12 months or when the agricultural commodities sell. For larger purchases such as equipment or livestock, the term will not exceed 7 years.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please contact your local state office for additional information and to apply for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.

This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.

- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.



This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Who may apply for this program?

The following are eligible to be a Microenterprise Development Organization:
- Nonprofits.
- Federally-recognized tribes.
- Institutions of higher education.

The following are eligible to apply for a loan from the MDO as an ultimate recipient:
- Businesses located in an eligible area with 10 or fewer full-time employees.

What is an eligible area?
- Rural areas outside a city or town with a population of fewer than 50,000 residents. Urbanized areas near a city of 50,000 or more may not be eligible.
- The borrower’s headquarters may be based within a larger city so long as the project service area is located in an eligible rural area.
- The lender may be located anywhere.

Check eligible addresses for Business Programs.

Are there other requirements?

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:
- Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
- Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

Stewardship

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

What kind of funding is available? 
- Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually. Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
- Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization. Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?
- Maximum term is 20 years.
- Two-year payment deferral.
- Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?
- Up to $50,000.
- Fixed interest rate.
- Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:
- Working capital.
- Debt refinancing.
- Purchasing equipment and supplies.
- Improving real estate.

For more information, email Kierstan or Carrie

Kierstan FMI

Carrie FMI

Farmers often have limited resources or lack access to capital, which can impact the sustainability of their business or their capacity to grow. Our Microloan Program awards low-interest flexible loans which funds projects that have a huge impact on many of our vendors’ businesses, as well as the quality and quantity of the products brought to the Market. The Microloan Program helps vendors defray seasonal operating expenses, improve infrastructure, extend the growing season, and much more. Access to capital ensures that farmers and ranchers can provide a constant and growing food supply to Santa Fe and the region.



Any current vendor at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market may apply for a loan of $250 to $5000, and on a case-by-case basis up to $10,000. The interest rate is 6%, with 3% going to the bank to cover administrative costs and the remaining 3% goes back into the fund.

The terms and conditions are as follows:
- $2,500 Short Term Temporary Emergency Loans to help alleviate cash flow challenges
- Must be a vendor in good standing. Final decision to be made by the Microloan Committee.
- No interest and no payments for 90 days (from time of funds disbursement)
- Repayment within 1 year from time of funds disbursement
- 6% interest, same as current loan, after 90 days

Lender Match is a free online tool that connects small businesses with SBA-approved CDFIs and small lenders. Do not use if looking for Disaster loans. See this link: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/lender-match.

The SBA works with lenders to provide loans to small businesses. The agency doesn’t lend money directly to small business owners. Instead, it sets guidelines for loans made by its partnering lenders, community development organizations, and micro-lending institutions. The SBA reduces risk for lenders and makes it easier for them to access capital. That makes it easier for small businesses to get loans.



List of Agricultural Funding for Microloan

Hawaii New Farmer Loan

Hawaii Qualified Farmer Loan

La Montañita's Fund (LaM)

Micro-Loan Program for New Mexico Farmers

Microloan Programs

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)

Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute Micro-Loans

Small Business Association Loans