Support the Fair Credit for Farmers Act in the Farm Bill!

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Dear [Your Elected Official],

As your constituent, I urge you to support the Fair Credit for Farmers Act (S. 2668, H.R.5296) to improve access to and accountability for the farm loan services offered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
In the midst of an uncertain market and challenging economic conditions, US farmers and ranchers face more debt than ever before - more than $500 billion as of 2022. Steep competition from huge agribusinesses make it increasingly difficult for family farmers to acquire the loans they need to plant their crops and maintain livestock. Farmers need accessible, fair, and transparent credit opportunities to help their businesses thrive!
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is an essential farm lender for many, especially farmers who are unable to obtain loans from private lenders. The FSA has, like many private lenders, been criticized for unfair and discriminatory lending practices that create undue burdens for farmers looking to get a loan. The Fair Credit for Farmers Act (S.2668, H.R.5296) fundamentally rebalances the relationship between farmers and FSA to one of equal partners jointly seeking farm success. 
The Fair Credit for Farmers Act improves FSA credit opportunities,strengthens farmer-borrower rights, and reinforces the government’s commitment to US farmers and ranchers. Specifically, the Act enacts improvements such as payment deferral, waived guaranteed loan fees for historically underserved borrowers, debt refinancing options, and limiting loan over-collateralization that puts farmers’ homes and assets at risk. It also corrects the imbalance of power in the appeals process, putting the burden of proof on FSA, rather than farmers, who won’t be required to file needless multiple appeals.
These improvements are crucial to the success of farm businesses and the rural communities they sustain. Please support the Fair Credit for Farmers Act (S.2668, H.R.5296) in the Farm Bill.

Thank you,

[Your Name]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

Access to credit is a critical tool that allows farmers and ranchers to purchase what they need to plant their crops and maintain their herds - especially family-scale farmers operating on thin economic margins. Competition from agribusinesses have made it much more difficult for smaller-scale farmers, young and beginning farmers, and farmers of color to successfully acquire loans. For many of these farmers, the loans offered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) are the only available option.  FSA, like many commercial farm lenders, has been criticized for unfair lending practices and bureaucratic red tape that make farmers jump through hoops to get a loan. The difference between FSA and commercial lenders is that FSA is a government agency whose mission is to equitably serve all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners. For Congress to demonstrate their commitment to all US farmers and ranchers, they must - and can - make FSA services more accessible, fair, and transparent!  The Fair Credit for Farmers Act (S.2668,H.R.5296) makes important improvements to FSA that strengthen farmer-borrower rights and help prevent predatory and discriminatory lending practices. Improving FSA credit opportunities creates long-term payoffs that help farm businesses thrive, strengthening rural communities across America!  Ask your legislators to support the Fair Credit for Farmers Act in the Farm Bill!

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