Farm Service Agency seeing more loan requests, aid details unclear

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Farm Service Agency seeing more loan requests, aid details unclear

The outgoing executive director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Illinois says the number of farmers applying for the agency’s loan programs is on the rise.

Scott Halpin says the economic downturn has increased the need for assistance.

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“Counties are reporting more applications for the market assistance loan.”  He says, “We have the traditional real estate loans and the traditional loan program that we do.  They’re always low interest and they’re always really attractive.”

He says expansion of eligible projects within the agency’s Farm Storage Facility Loan program is also garnering increased interest from producers.

“Low interest loans for folks to upgrade and add storage, if you can show a need for it.”  He says, “The definition for that program actually expands beyond the actual bin.  If it’s grain handling equipment, so a grain leg would qualify, or specialty crop handling equipment qualifies, under the Farm Storage Facility Loan.”

As a response to the downturn, Congress included economic aid payments for farmers in the American Relief Act of 2025 in late December. FSA is tasked with getting those payments to farmers, but Halpin tells Brownfield that timeline is not yet known.

“I do not have any updates.”  He says, “I know that we’re getting calls into our offices, but we have to wait for the guidance to come out and the rules to be written.  I honestly haven’t really heard any details.”

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Halpin says most of the agency’s loan programs are open for applications year-round, and farmers can learn more by contacting their local FSA office.

Halpin’s term as Illinois FSA director ends this week with the changing of federal administrations.

AUDIO: Scott Halpin – Illinois FSA