Farm funding available for disadvantaged

This special financing is for people who have been subjected to
racial, ethnic, or gender inequality without regard to their
individual qualities. SDA members include women, African Americans,
American Indians, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Alaskan
Natives. This program provides direct and guaranteed assistance in the
form of farm operating and farm ownership loans. Direct loans are made
to applicants for FSA. Guaranteed loans are issued by lending
institutions, but typically 90 or 95 percent of the load is guaranteed
by FSA if the loan fails. Operating loans may be used to purchase
livestock, equipment, feed, seed, and other business related expenses.
Repayment terms run from one to seven years. Ownership loans provide
capital to purchase or enlarge a farm, construct or improve buildings,
promote soil and water conservation, and to pay closing costs. Direct
ownership loan terms are up to 40 years. Guaranteed loan terms are
established by the lender. Qualified candidates are provided
information and assistance to develop sound management practices,
analyze problems and utilize available resources essential for
successful farming operations to cope with the changing agricultural
environment. SDA applicants do not receive automatic approval.
Individuals must be U.S. citizens with a satisfactory history of
meeting credit obligations, have sufficient education, training or
experience managing or operating a farm, possess legal capacity to
incur debt, and be unable to obtain credit elsewhere. The FSA Farm
Loan Programs Service office is located at 2113 Malcolm Ave, Newport,
AR 72112. For more information call 870-523-8986