Farm Service Agency December 8, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule amends the Farm Service Agency (FSA) regulations for direct and guaranteed Farm Operating loans and Farm Ownership loans, and the lease and disposal of inventory property. This rule implements changes required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). The maximum loan amount authorized for direct Farm Ownership loans and direct Farm Operating loans is being increased. The existing Beginning Farmer Downpayment Loan Program is being amended to include socially disadvantaged farmers and to reduce the size of the required down payment. Regulations governing lease and disposal of FSA's real estate inventory, which currently give priority to beginning farmers, are being amended to also give socially disadvantaged farmers priority.