FederalRolling / continuousLoan / credit
USDA Farm Service Agency
Apply any time; funds allocated through the fiscal year
Long-term financing to buy a farm, build or improve farm buildings, or pay closing costs. A share of funds is reserved every year for beginning and underserved producers.
- Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
- Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Up to $600,000; terms up to 40 years
Land accessIndividual producerBeginning / underservedTribal
FederalRolling / continuousLoan / credit
USDA Farm Service Agency
Rolling; coordinate with FSA and your lender
Pairs a low-interest FSA loan with a commercial lender so a beginning or underserved producer can buy a farm with roughly 5% down instead of 20–30%.
- Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
- Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Up to 45% of purchase price, max ~$300,150; 1.5% interest, 20-year term
Land accessBeginning / underservedIndividual producerTribal
FederalRolling / continuousDirect grant
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Rolling through NRCS state offices and partner land trusts
Pays landowners for an agricultural easement that keeps farmland in farming forever. Often used with a land trust to lower the sale price for the next farmer or to free up capital for the current one.
- Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
- Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Up to 50% of fair market easement value (up to 75% in some cases)
Land accessIndividual producerNon-profitTribal