FARMINGTON – The Farm Service Agency is authorized to assist beginning farmers and/or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to finance agricultural enterprises.

Under the programs, the agency can provide financing to eligible applicants through either direct or guaranteed loans. FSA defines a beginning farmer as a person who has operated a farm for more than three years but not more that 10 years; will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm; agrees to participate in a loan assessment, borrower training and financial management program sponsored by FSA; and does not own a farm in excess of 30 percent of the county’s average size.

Each member must meet the eligibility requirements. Loan approval is not guaranteed. Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers are identified as those who belong to a socially disadvantaged group.

The agency’s inventory property Web site provides an online guide to government-owned real estate and potential foreclosure sales information, which includes farm/ranch properties, houses, lots and buildings.

The site provides access to detailed information about each of the properties and links to other USDA Web sites providing a variety of services. Lenders are welcome to use the Web site as a resource by visiting http://www.resales.usda.gov.