FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brittany Jablonsky, 202-314-3108
bjablonsky@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON (March 24, 2014) – National Farmers Union (NFU) Senior Vice President of Programs Chandler Goule issued the following statement on U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s recent announcement of improvements to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs:

“Throughout the 2014 Farm Bill reauthorization process, NFU advocated for common-sense reforms that would help small, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers better access agricultural credit. I commend Secretary Vilsack for implementing these farm bill provisions, such as elimination of term limits for guaranteed operating loans, a more accurate definition of beginning farmer, and an increase in the maximum loan amount for Direct Farm Ownership down payments, in a timely manner to help support the next generation of family farmers and ranchers.”

Click here to read USDA’s fact sheet on the modifications.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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