Colorado Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers Loan Program Updated:12/2023

Loans to historically underserved and women farmers and ranchers are not a special type of loan program or loan type. Rather, this designation refers to a specific funding source known as Socially Disadvantaged Applicant (SDA) funding. To be considered for targeted funding, loan applicants must voluntarily provide race, ethnicity, and gender information.

You do not have to choose between identifying as an historically underserved individual or a beginning farmer, nor is there a "benefit" of deciding between one designation over the other. Identifying yourself as an historically underserved beginning farmer loan applicant is completely acceptable.

Loan Application Process

To be considered for targeted "SDA" loan funding, loan applicants must voluntarily provide his or her ethnicity, race and/or gender on the loan application. Otherwise, the Agency's loan process and loan requirements are identical for all loan applicants. There is no difference between historically underserved and women applicants and those who do not fall under this funding allocation other than the availability of targeted funding.

Down Payment Loan

The Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment loan is the only loan program specifically for historically underserved and women farmers and beginning farmers. Down Payment loan funds may be used only to partially finance the purchase of a family farm. Loan applicants must contribute a minimum downpayment of 5 percent of the purchase price of the farm and the Agency will finance 45 percent to a maximum loan amount of $300,000. The balance of the purchase price not covered by the down payment loan and the loan applicant's down payment may be financed by a commercial lender (pdf, 563KB), private lender, a cooperative, or the seller.

Find your local FSA Service Center for one-on-one assistance

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of ColoradoLandCAN.
Colorado Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers Loan Program is not employed by or affiliated with the Colorado Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.

 

Contact Colorado Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers Loan Program

USDA Farm Service Agency
695 Kipling ST
Building 56, Room 2760
Denver, CO  80225-0426
Phone: (720) 544-2876

Service Area

Statewide Program in:
  • Colorado