So you want to be a farmer: Farm Service offers beginning and under-served farmer loans

The USDA Farm Service Agency has loans available for under-served groups and beginning farmers in Allegheny, Armstrong and Butler counties.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines under-served farmers as those who have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice. For program purposes, USDA targeted under-served groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Farm ownership loan funds may be used to buy or enlarge a farm, buy easements or rights of way needed in the farm’s operation and other expenses.

Farm operating loans can be used to buy livestock, poultry, farm and home equipment, feed, seed, fuel, fertilizer, chemical, refinance debts, and other expenses.

The program aims to reverse the declining number of farmers and ranchers across the United States in certain areas, which includes those three Alle-Kiski Valley counties.

Direct loans are made to the applicants by FSA and could include both farm operating and farm ownership loans. Repayment terms depend on the collateral and usually are spread out from one to seven years. Repayment terms or direct ownership loans can be as long as 40 years.

Applicants should contact their local FSA office at 24 Avalon Court, Mercer, PA 16137 or 724-662-2890.