Complaints down, minority and women funding up for FSA

10/3/2011

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency has reduced its number of complaints to record lows while increasing its USDA loan funding over the past year.

Administrator Bruce Nelson announced the good news late last week, noting that the number of civil rights complaints have decreased significantly during this last fiscal year. Of the approximately 2 million producers the FSA has served, it received just 37 complaints - a record low number for the agency.

Furthermore, more than 5,600 USDA loans totalling $509 million were dispersed to minority and women farmers during that same time period.

"The loan numbers reflect the significant progress we have made in the effort to equally serve all eligible applicants for FSA program support," said Nelson. "The FSA is committed to diversity, inclusion and performance like never before, for the benefit of our customers and our employees."

Guaranteed farm ownership loans made the biggest splash, increasing 40 percent to $161.8 million. The FSA received a "Job Well Done" award from USDA assistant secretary for civil rights Joe Leonard for its efforts.

The USDA's state executive director recently stated that the loan limit for FSA's Guaranteed Loan Program will increase to $1,214,000 "to enhance the Agency's ability to meet the credit needs of farmers and ranchers throughout the country."