USDA’s Farm Service Agency recently announced a suite of administrative reforms to its loan programs that will increase access and reduce risks for farmers taking on debt.
For the first time in history, farmers will be able to defer payments if they are financially distressed, include savings for retirement and their kids’ education in their farm operating plans, and avoid putting their home up as collateral in order to obtain a loan.
This work is the culmination of years of 11th Hour grantee education and advocacy and the changes went into effect in late September.
In the podcast, “Against The Grain,” grantee Farm Aid recently interviewed Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator for USDA’s Farm Service Agency, about the changes that he spearheaded at the agency.