The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can make Direct Operating Loans or Guaranteed Loans to socially disadvantaged applicants to buy and operate family-size farms and ranches. Funds specifically for these loans are reserved each year.

A socially disadvantaged farmer is one of a group whose members have been subject to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders.

This program:

Targets direct and guaranteed loan assistance to socially disadvantaged persons.

Discovers and removes barriers that prevent full participation of those persons in FSA’s farm loan programs.

Provides information and assistance to applicants to help them develop sound farm management practices, analyze problems and plan the best use of available resources essential for success in farming or ranching.

Individuals, partnerships, joint operations, corporations and cooperatives primarily and directly engaged in farming and ranching on family-size operations may apply. A family-size farm is considered to be one that a family can operate and manage itself.

Applications for all FSA direct loan programs are made through FSA’s county offices. Guaranteed loan applications are originated with the applicant’s commercial lender. If you have any questions concerning the FSA Direct Loan Program or the Guaranteed Loan Program, please contact the Pierce County FSA-Farm Loans Office at (701) 776-5824 ext. 4.