By Richard Fordyce
When farmers and ranchers need access to affordable credit, timing matters. For instance, sometimes equipment needs to be replaced, or there’s a chance to pick up some ground, or the market is just right to increase the herd. But if a producer doesn’t have quite enough capital to close the deal, spending three months wading through mounds of paperwork to secure financing can seem like more trouble than it’s worth. I can relate, as I’m a farmer and have been there myself.
That’s what we’re working hard to fix at the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Effective Oct. 1, 2026, we’re changing our lending practices for the better by simplifying steps and reducing paperwork for qualified applicants. Whether you borrow directly from FSA or we guarantee a loan through an approved commercial lender, these improvements in our lending process mean quicker decisions on financing when you need it most.
One of the most significant changes is making the Application Fast Track process permanent. This process gives certain low risk direct loan applicants with a proven track record of repayment a faster path through the loan approval process. By reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hoops that producers have had to jump through for years, we free up valuable time for FSA staff, who can better focus on the needs of our borrowers. After we initially piloted the Application Fast Track in 2023, the results were clear. About 23 percent of direct loan customers qualified for the faster process, and on average, their applications were processed eight days faster.
Source : farmers.gov