Linda Hennen, State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Minnesota recently announced that the agency provided $265 million in over 1,700 direct and guaranteed loans to family farmers in Minnesota during FY 2009. "This has been a record setting year for number of loans made and dollars loaned," said Hennen.

The funding included over $5.3 million in direct loans for Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) borrowers and $56.8 million in loans for beginning farmers. For purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups include women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives,

Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Beginning farmers

include those that have farmed less than 10 years.

FSA makes loans to purchase and operate family size farms. Loan funds can be used to finance livestock, farm equipment, annual operating expenses and most other farm related expense. Interest rates vary from 1.5 percent to 5.0 percent depending on loan type. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements which are outlined on the agency website at www.fsa. usda.gov. Contact the local FSA office to obtain information or to schedule an appointment with a loan officer.