Who Borrows from Farm Credit?
Farm Credit is a member-owned cooperative and is not operated or funded by the government. However, we are regulated by the Farm Credit Administration and subject to some restrictions on our lending. Below are some general guidelines, but feel free to contact us to discuss your particular situation.
Country Homeowners
Farm Credit can lend money for the purchase, refinance, construction and improvement of single family dwellings located in the country. Loans can also be made for the purchase and refinance of unimproved residential lots.
Part-Time Farmers
For the individual who owns agricultural land or produces agricultural products, but the agricultural operation represents less than 50 percent of the total business, Farm Credit can lend for all agricultural and family needs. Non-agricultural needs are limited relative to the agricultural income.
Full-Time Farmers
For the individual whose primary business (more than 50 percent of assets and income) is the production of agricultural products, Farm Credit can lend for all agricultural and family needs, as well as non-agricultural needs, including automobiles and trucks, education expenses, home improvements, vacation expenses, and much more.
Businesses
Farm Credit can lend money to businesses which process and/or market agricultural products, provided more than 50 percent of the business is owned by farmers and those owners provide some of the "throughput." Farm Credit can also lend money to businesses that provide services to farmers (such as crop spraying, seed cleaning, cotton ginning, etc.) The extent to which financing can be provided is based on the amount of the business's total income that is from farm-related services.
Young, Beginning and Small Farmers
To be considered a young farmer, an individual must be 35 years of age or less. If the individual has been farming for 10 years or less, they are considered a beginning farmer as well. In addition to these categories, small farmers are those who operate farms producing $250,000 of gross revenue or less.