President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) on Feb. 17, 2009, in an effort to jumpstart an ailing U.S. economy. The plan is to put America back to work in order to stimulate spending and investment and restore confidence. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has an important role in helping the nation achieve its objectives, especially in rural America.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides direct and guaranteed loans to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Each fiscal year, the Agency targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed farm ownership (FO) and operating loan (OL) funds to beginning farmers and ranchers.

A beginning farmer or rancher is an individual or entity who (1) has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years; (2) meets the loan eligibility requirements of the program to which he/she is applying; (3) substantially participates in the operation; and, (4) for FO loan purposes, does not own a farm greater than 30 percent of the average size farm in the county. (Note: all applicants for direct FO loans must have participated in business operation of a farm for at least 3 years.) If the applicant is an entity, all members must be related by blood or marriage, and all stockholders in a corporation must be eligible beginning farmers.

The 2008 Farm Bill has information on the following subjects:

You can also find the Farm Bill in PDF form and the side-by-side comparing the 2002 and the 2008 Farm Bills.

"Direct" farm loans are made by FSA with Government funds. We also service these loans and provide our Direct loan customers with supervision and credit counseling so they have a better chance for success. Farm Ownership, Operating, Emergency and Youth loans are the main types of loans available under the Direct program. Direct loan funds are also set aside each year for loans to minority applicants and beginning farmers (see links below). To apply for a Direct loan, contact your local FSA office. For Direct loan interest rates, click here.

For a commodity to be eligible for a marketing assistance loan or a loan deficiency payment (LDP), the producer must have beneficial interest in the commodity in addition to other eligibility requirements.

This section includes Loan Rates for years 2004, 2005, and 2006. Additionally, Loan Premiums and Discounts are included for years 2003, 2004, and 2005.

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners. Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes annual rental payments based on the agriculture rental value of the land, and it provides cost-share assistance for up to 50 percent of the participant's costs in establishing approved conservation practices. Participants enroll in CRP contracts for 10 to 15 years.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water.

The program is a partnership among producers; tribal, state, and federal governments; and, in some cases, private groups. CREP is an offshoot of the country's largest private-lands environmental improvement program - the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes and guarantees loans to approved socially disadvantaged applicants to buy and operate family-size farms and ranches.

A socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmer, rancher, or agricultural producer is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as a member of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

This section includes FSA News Releases.

This section includes FSA wide Meetings and Events.

This section includes Fact Sheets for the Mission Areas.

This section includes assessment updates and information, information on the Installment Plan for 9/1/2005 Assessment, and tobacco loan losses.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires all Federal agencies to consider the effects of their projects and programs on the environment.

Thank you for your interest in Farm Service Agency's Budget and Performance Management Internet site. This site contains information on strategic planning, performance accountability, and the budget process.