2 nd Tropical Pasture & Livestock Management Conference June 4-7, 2013 Tinian, CNMI

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1 Slide 1 2 nd Tropical Pasture & Livestock Management Conference June 4-7, 2013 Tinian, CNMI U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Hawaii & Pacific Basin Diane L. Ley, State Executive Director

2 Slide 2 Farm Service Agency Providing services to assist small farmers and ranchers: Helping to stabilize farm income Working with producers to conserve land and water Providing loans to new, minority and family-sized farms and ranches Assisting agricultural operations recover from the impact of disasters FSA delivers these services through 2 primary program areas

3 Slide 3 Risk Management & Disaster Recovery Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program Livestock Forage Program* Livestock Indemnity Program* Emergency Livestock, Honey Bee & Farm Raised Fish Program* * Pending Farm Bill Legislation NAP-Forage excellent risk management tool; well worth the upfront fees

4 Slide 4 Producer Support Programs Reimbursement of Transportation Cost Payment Program serving geographically disadvantaged producers* Pending Appropriation in FY 2014 Producer Engagement Elected producers make up County Committees which lend local guidance to the delivery of FSA s programs Nominations are now being accepted for the CNMI & Guam County Committee Nominees should be producers in Saipan or Central Guam Supports geographically isolated producers Up to 25% payment for inputs and export/transportation costs Payments range from > $100 to $8,000 Payments pending now for 2012; No appropriation in 2013; pending action for 2014 Total available $2.3 to $1.98 mil Who Can Hold Office A county committee member, a person must meet the basic eligibility criteria: Participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA; Be eligible to vote in a county committee election; and Reside in the local administrative area (LAA) in which the person is a candidate. Not have been: Removed or disqualified from the office of county committee member, alternate or employee; or Removed for cause from any public office or have been convicted of fraud, larceny, embezzlement or any other felony; or dishonorably discharged from any branch of the armed services. Nominations To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign nomination form that is available at USDA Service Centers and online at Nomination forms for the 2013 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on August 1, 2013.

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6 Slide 5 Farm Loan Programs Microloans Direct Operating Loans Beginning Farmer Loans Rural Youth Loans Guaranteed Operating Loans Emergency Loans Conservation Loans

7 Slide 6 Credit up to $35,000 Less paperwork to apply Security required Microloans for new, beginning & experienced producers Interest 1.250%, with variable term up to 7 years Offering the Microloan (ML) program to better serve the unique financial operating needs of beginning, niche and the smallest of family farm operations, who may be marketing directly to restaurants and grocery stores, organic production, community supported agriculture (CSA s) and farmers markets ML assists applicants who have limited experience by providing them with an opportunity to gain ranch management experience while working with a mentor Eliminate use of high cost personal loans and high interest credit cards Providing a bridge for Youth Loan borrowers to transition to larger-scale operations Assisting the agricultural community by creating opportunities to start new businesses

8 Slide 7 Use a Microloan to Initial start-up expenses Annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents Marketing and distribution expenses Family living expenses Purchase of livestock, equipment, and other materials Minor farm and ranch improvements and tools Irrigation Delivery vehicles

9 Slide 8 Microloans Are a direct operating loan with a maximum loan amount of $35,000 Have a shortened application process and reduced paperwork Allow some applicants that do not currently meet the experience and managerial requirements to qualify through a self-guided mentorship Microloans are direct farm operating loans, either annual or term Do not exceed $35,000 Simplified application process and paperwork verification requirements that are more proportional to smaller loans and operations Experience: Applicants not meeting the general requirement for farm management and experience may still be eligible. Alternatives include an apprentice relationship; past participation with organizations such as FFA, 4-H, Beginning Farmer programs, and Community Based Organizations; Or prior small business management experience combined with a self-directed apprenticeship can allow applicant to start farming with a Microloan.

10 Slide 9 Microloans Provide some flexibility in loan security Assist the agricultural community by creating opportunities to start new businesses Fulfill financial operating needs of beginning, niche and the smallest of family farm operations Security: ofor an annual operating purpose, such as purchasing seed, fertilizer and other crop input costs, these loans are generally secured by the crop or products produced, however equipment or other security can be used. o Loans for other purposes such as purchasing equipment or foundation livestock are usually secured by the equipment or livestock being purchased but other types of security can be used. oall loans need adequate security.

11 Slide 10 Guaranteed Loans FSA guarantees agricultural loans made and serviced by conventional lenders Producers must apply with a conventional lender, which then arranges for the FSA guarantee Maximum loan $1,302,000 FSA guarantees up to 90% for the commercial lender Reducing the risk for the commercial lender Interest rate set by Commercial lender

12 Slide 11 Loan Purposes: Direct Operating Loans - Purchase equipment, livestock - Ranch operating expenses - Refinance ranch-related debts - Minor real estate repairs and improvements - Other ranch needs To be repaid in 1 to 7 years $300,000 Loan limitation Loans made and serviced by FSA for borrowers who meet eligibility requirements show sufficient repayment ability, and pledge enough collateral to fully secure the loan Interest rates adjust monthly; currently 1.375%

13 Slide 12 Rural Youth Loans Youth interested in learning the business of agriculture Support the establishment and operational of modest size incomeproducing projects Each project is part of an organized and supervised work program Ages 10 to 20 years $5,000 Loan limitation 10 to 20 years of age Participating in 4-H, Future Farmers of America, or similar organizations, or with a vocational teacher or county extension agent.

14 Slide 13 Emergency Loans Assist farmers and ranchers who have suffered physical or production losses where a disaster or quarantine has been declared $500,000 Loan limitation or amount of loss, whichever is lower Interest Rate is 3.75% Physical Losses: If insurance is readily available and cost effective and not obtained prior to a natural disaster, you would probably not be eligible. Production Losses: Disaster yield at least 30% below normal. Recordkeeping is important in order to verify your losses.

15 Slide 14 Eligibility Requirements Different types of loans have different eligibility requirements. Generally a producer must: Be an operator of a farm or ranch or will meet the definition of a producer after a loan is made Have applicable education, training, and/or farm experience that provides reasonable prospects of success Have sufficient managerial ability Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien

16 Slide 15 Eligibility Requirements Applicants must: Not be delinquent on any U.S. Federal debt Not have previous loss with FSA Be unable to obtain credit elsewhere Have acceptable credit history Possess legal capacity to incur the loan obligation

17 Slide 16 How To Get Started Obtain information on programs, applications, and other forms available at FSA offices or online at Call or visit your nearest FSA office to discuss individual financing needs and applicable programs Applications for direct loan assistance may be submitted to our FSA offices If you have questions or need assistance to complete the application, call our FSA office and ask for help.

18 Slide 17 Grants, research, marketing, product outreach and more KYF2 is not just about food but rather understanding and supporting agriculture and our rural communities All USDA agencies and programs working in concert to support producers. FSA s programs are clustered about natural disasters and loans and more traditional production systems FSA s programs do not include grants, marketing and other initiatives; however, other USDA agencies do provide such resources, so as I close I want to bring your attention to a New USDA-wide effort to create new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers. A national conversation about the importance of understanding where your food comes from and how it gets to your plate Programs available to strengthen our rural communities and farms Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (RD) Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program (RD) Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (NRCS) EQIP Organic conversion cost share (NRCS)

19 Farm Loan Programs (FSA) Conservation and Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSA)

20 Slide 18 USDA Farm Service Agency CNMI & Guam County Office 770 East Sunset Blvd., Suite 265 Barrigada, GU Thomas Camacho Fred San Nicolas Diane Ley FSA Hawaii & Pacific Basin Website: