[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6112408,"mediaKeyId","2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660","parentId",2747692,"title","Young and underserved farmers tell Senate committee they lack access to credit, insurance and USDA support","audioSeconds",663,"startMs",3027000,"endMs",3690000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660&start=3027&end=3690","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660/thumbnail_3027000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6112408/Young-and-underserved-farmers-tell-Senate-committee-they-lack-access-to-credit-insurance-and-USDA-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6112408-7863ea8bda418b3646f0128667cef511/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135159&Signature=HTLukt0eHyMk4FjebNZRzU1iSzxosVllbhMnZReKjDNEPuhq4yxfOh8pcqCQ29RPcXuaGdYp5Jg3-PD1q7M7Md~aKWycSbICu8zzGHmUrrlD4FYk2L8yt7w530gTh9PIdVXcO1a3HpJBfmwYSAHObYzRpLrLrY2ZgJDZjVGMxlBQD-lcVQod1g3JDvj~7dvfavcHRufCzvvzwwpATPnHz0oZExE5adVMqKtTApOalyNrCABxklRjPsvMW~IhrXnaTCiXv9TmUTL8G3zp1lCsVD6G~zzVDhW2OVOAarog5KlXcXmtMSB03YV3TM5ABXje~qGGBik74WnkLtqT0qTwKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Young and underserved farmers and their advocates told the Senate Agriculture Committee that access to credit, relevant insurance products and timely USDA reimbursements remain major barriers to entry and stability.

Cedric Rowe, a first-generation organic peanut, hemp and vegetable grower from Albany, Georgia, said he did not inherit land and relied on the Farm Service Agency to purchase his first acreage. Rowe told senators he was denied an early microloan despite a sound business plan and described gaps in insurance availability for specialty and small-scale producers: \"Only 10 whole farm policies were sold in Georgia last year. 83% of the farmers in Georgia do not have crop insurance,\" he said.

Why it matters: Committee members said the aging average of U.S. farmers and the rate at which land is changing hands make equitable, accessible USDA programs—including targeted loan terms, insurance on-ramps and functioning local offices—essential to preserve agricultural opportunity for new entrants and underserved groups.

USDA funding freeze: Senator Cory Booker raised concerns that a USDA freeze on signed-contract reimbursements has left nonprofits and young farmers without funds they expected, hampering planting and local services. Rowe said the freeze has meant that \"we don't have anyone to talk to when you go to these local FSA office or USD offices\" and that contracts and reimbursements are paused, forcing some producers to cancel plans or reduce operations.

Policy requests: Witnesses and senators discussed proposals to increase microloan limits, remove arbitrary eligibility windows, create pilot programs for preapproved direct farm ownership loans, and improve NAP or create a revenue-based NAP option as an on-ramp to whole-farm revenue protection. Senators also requested that the committee consider incentives for agents to sell policies to small and specialty producers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Perspectives From the Field: Risk Management, Credit, and Rural Business Views on the Agricultural Economy Part 3","oneSentenceSummary","First-generation and small-scale farmers described barriers to credit, low crop-insurance uptake and disruptions from a USDA funding freeze that, they said, is harming grants and local office services for beginning operators.","taxTitle","Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1985,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6112413,"Lenders urge higher FSA loan limits and prequalification to get young farmers into land",49,2591000,2640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660&start=2591&end=2640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660/thumbnail_2591000.jpg","/articles/6112413/Lenders-urge-higher-FSA-loan-limits-and-prequalification-to-get-young-farmers-into-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6112413-edfb9742624103e584edbac85322865b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135159&Signature=DbwT0Dx1tf050Um38c9h1h1-VygWanm24NekDePBSPri3s4SIew4RQN65WUm8bk8Oo1x26frNNPV5qmDpR-h4T77vy9lSoGeuU9Xtltvz-m~onQUf6PlVvYLS3eBgB2x9KggaVqxIPFCwGmtjW8jwP9f8UEWVJrmN11xeizhnME2aNlJqowDihr~mj8ALxL8hj6Asrl5qY1opfW5u5R0gWGF54zdDT~5FH5S31amLVbMCy8CPpfBcGUadZuYPrvSvedUAwvlNu~dgYLOHjotY1GmnaGpNds2ZnYG2SekiERsBFr9Ce3lFybYKcQ0CCfXOxAPZM6E0FLtQvJBQWVQIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bankers and Farm Credit witnesses urged the Senate Agriculture Committee to modernize USDA lending authorities and raise guaranteed and direct loan limits so lenders can better serve beginning and small farmers.

Tara Durbin of Farm Credit Mid America said increasing guaranteed ownership limits would allow associations to make more loans to customers who otherwise would not qualify for traditional credit. In response to questions about raising guaranteed ownership loan limits, Durbin said the guarantee program \"allows us to loan to more customers, to more farmers, and help them get their operations up and going.\" Caleb Hopkins of the American Bankers Association said faster prequalification by FSA would be particularly useful because many farm properties are sold at auction with only four to six weeks' notice.

Why it matters: Witnesses said the combination of higher land prices and rising capital costs requires updates to statutory loan limits and program features so lenders can provide timely capital and young producers can compete in auctions or other short-notice sales.

Legislative and program proposals discussed: Senators and witnesses referenced the PACE Act (to align FSA loan limits with current costs), and bipartisan proposals to increase direct and guaranteed loan limits. Senator Hoeven and others outlined specific limit increases being considered in committee drafts: for example, proposed increases to guaranteed ownership loans to roughly $3 million and higher microloan limits (from $50,000 to $100,000) were discussed by witnesses as meaningful steps. Senators and witnesses also supported pilot prequalification authority to allow borrowers to be ready to bid at auctions.

Supporting details: Hopkins said proactive education and prequalification would put beginning farmers in a stronger position to pursue land acquisition. Farm Credit’s Growing Forward program was cited as an example of lender-side underwriting flexibility and education targeted at young and beginning producers.","Bankers and Farm Credit witnesses told senators that raising FSA loan limits, modernizing lending authority and allowing prequalification would help beginning and small farmers gain access to land and equipment when auction and sale windows are short.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6112418,"Witnesses tell Senate committee crop insurance must remain affordable and actuarially sound",302,2050000,2352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660&start=2050&end=2352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660/thumbnail_2050000.jpg","/articles/6112418/Witnesses-tell-Senate-committee-crop-insurance-must-remain-affordable-and-actuarially-sound","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6112418-8388e1a8454fa4d37dba94760f7b3511/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135159&Signature=OSKR8ziZ7BrSTNLUEq9psd2U-uiwN4PWGcuNsjhdGFtpGbYkz84FSm0GiPkyriT36Bnt7GRt347Jndcsp3s3atwy7GJQuXOP6UUy-rnY0VCtpvqiRfJljJrpadaE1-wzjEmMHpFQTYeaAn-VVKMhUWl7U0r7VW4mwoRSduNbbAgrjkUDeAlLYu4qYFLZKm-mdVLP-SokRxKicFJFdvcpVq6K2aDiWCn0c~mY2KIcMd2kus28o0R6D4G0FqXGr2PSq~SpTdV3SzoCwrDtYtIAOnuBDyRqmJenyGj0Vp1xwLcSkBu2gkoXsvoSoEK~cb3IvdM1J5WdFC-sDDBpt3dhUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Witnesses at the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing described federal crop insurance as the cornerstone of the farm safety net and urged lawmakers to preserve affordability and feasibility for private insurers to deliver policies nationwide.

Dylin Hoke, head of RCIS, told senators that crop insurance \"is an economic driver in rural America\" and that the program must remain affordable, widely available and actuarially sound if private providers are to continue investing capital and personnel in delivery. Hoke said administrative and operating payments to insurers have not kept pace with inflation and program complexity, and she noted that \"the inflation factor adjustment that was built into a and o calculations was unfortunately removed in 02/2015.\"

Why it matters: Committee members and witnesses tied crop insurance to loan availability and rural economic stability. Lenders said crop insurance is their principal tool for assessing loan renewals, and insurers warned that ad hoc disaster payments can undermine long-term risk sharing unless they are designed to complement, not replace, insurance.

Key points and proposals: Witnesses discussed area-based plans and indexed products, the USDA’s 508(h) product-development pathway for new products, and layered coverage such as ECO plans. Dylin Hoke said she opposes disaster packages that would be funded by cuts to crop insurance, arguing such moves would reduce private-sector capacity. Caleb Hopkins, representing agricultural bankers, said \"Crop insurance is the number 1 risk management tool in the belt for ag lenders,\" and called for enhancements that keep the product affordable for producers.

Additional details: RCIS and others noted rising delivery costs—marketing, claims adjustment, education and technology—while insurers’ administrative payments have not kept pace. Witnesses urged Congress to support premium assistance for beginning farmers and to pursue product development that remains actuarially sound.","Crop insurance providers, lenders and farmers told the Senate Agriculture Committee that federal crop insurance is the primary risk-management tool for U.S. agriculture and urged Congress to improve affordability, expand coverage options and preserve the public–private delivery model.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6112423,"Senate Ag witnesses urge swift five-year farm bill as lenders warn of planting-credit crunch",6019,983000,7002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660&start=983&end=7002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2747692-2a69c478f0e13061d36642fd1f401660/thumbnail_983000.jpg","/articles/6112423/Senate-Ag-witnesses-urge-swift-five-year-farm-bill-as-lenders-warn-of-planting-credit-crunch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6112423-76be55fdae581a77eddc3550abb3b238/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135159&Signature=MrGPwEtmcGXPGmsMgTJdFDGIWmqCdE4ywJN6vxbDji8Bqqiz8a7Nsa1W5JxefzT7PYImzlP027Mjl~tY~DSv9oeZkm0LEDsnnSWHZVS8LkYUEk87Oq5v1qCLSrv-jC6~H30nWqjE~AuBgdc0ufyb7cYDVUlKun2tNVRN9smb~v9mGYBIQ4l6pBBHOU1jbvUHPJ8YJc7GHFZRlt9njEkwlVzKnx9O76-I9wyUfSpbNx4umFfD21NZmaM25bjcr0YTw79j09NKSXn3K1VqEi7jMNfb~LEWnXBbdzhJ4spN7VTjUY0m2xiWn0Uic7OMYUUMauCrxcLGlXOGM4X1H6fyiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and witnesses at a committee hearing said Congress must quickly pass a strong five-year farm bill to shore up the farm safety net and stabilize rural credit as lenders and cooperatives report worsening conditions.

The committee heard consistent testimony that current short-term assistance helps but cannot substitute for a reauthorized farm bill. \"If we expect current and future generations of producers to not only survive, but thrive, we need to pass a strong 5 year farm bill this year,\" Chairman Boozman said in opening remarks. In testimony, Ben Noble, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Riceland Foods, described acute local impacts: \"We're selling our equipment at an auction this Friday,\" he said, describing his family's decision to stop active farming after more than a century of continuous operation.

Why it matters: Witnesses framed the farm bill as the principal tool for providing predictable risk management, credit access and market stability that undergird rural economies. Without updated reference prices, loan guarantees and other supports, lenders warned, productive acres could remain fallow and rural processing and employment tied to agriculture could shrink.

Most important facts: Tara Durbin, chief lending officer at Farm Credit Mid America, testified that the sector shows \"a tale of two worlds\" and highlighted regional, commodity and financial-position differences among producers. Caleb Hopkins, a loan production officer and chairman of the American Bankers Association’s Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee, said bankers need the certainty of a multi-year farm bill to underwrite operating loans and noted that ad hoc assistance passed late last year provides only a bridge for some farmers. Chairman Boozman and multiple senators pressed witnesses on proposals to raise FSA guaranteed and direct loan limits and to modernize loan programs to help beginning and small producers.

Supporting detail: Witnesses repeatedly described crop insurance and updated reference prices as the two central tools lenders use to evaluate credit risk. Several witnesses emphasized that while short-term economic assistance (referred to in testimony as a roughly $10,000,000,000 program enacted late last year) provided relief, it was not a replacement for the five-year farm bill. Ben Noble described the downstream effect of farm financial stress on rural employers and towns that depend on agricultural processing and marketing. Witnesses from Farm Credit and banks described restructuring debt, financial coaching and FSA guarantees as ongoing practices to help strained producers.

Committee next steps and record: Senators on both sides signaled support for drafting and negotiating a multi-year farm bill; the hearing record will remain open for five days, Chairman Boozman said. The committee did not take formal votes at the hearing.","Witnesses told the Senate Agriculture Committee that a long-term farm bill is urgently needed to shore up the farm safety net, protect rural economies and preserve credit access after lenders warned some producers may be unable to finance planting this year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Young and underserved farmers tell Senate committee they lack access to credit, insurance and USDA support

Lenders urge higher FSA loan limits and prequalification to get young farmers into land

Witnesses tell Senate committee crop insurance must remain affordable and actuarially sound

Senate Ag witnesses urge swift five-year farm bill as lenders warn of planting-credit crunch