New FSA Loan Program Helps with Farm Transition Process
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 01/17/2013
Landowners in Wisconsin are being made aware of a new program available to those who wish to transfer farm real estate to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Wisconsin Farm Service Agency Director Brad Pfaff says the Land Contract Guarantee Program provides a new approach for landowners
willing to sell their land to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers because it reduces the seller's financial risk if the buyer defaults on the contract payments.
As part of the program, the buyer must provide a minimum down payment of five percent of the purchase price, plan to operate the farm, and demonstrate the ability to make the land contract payments.
Pfaff says the LCGP offers two options: one that guarantees up to three annual installment payments on the contract and one that guarantees 90 percent of the unpaid principal of the contract. Guarantees can be used for financing the purchase of a farm with a purchase price up to $500,000 on a new land contract.
"Landowners can use any escrow agent that meets the program qualifications to service the land contract," said Pfaff. "Landowners interested in the Land Contract Guarantee Program can contact their local FSA farm loan office to obtain a list of available nationwide escrow agents that can be used with this
program," he said.
FSA credit programs are designed to provide credit to eligible producers when conventional or commercial credit is not available or does not meet their credit needs.
