Loans to Young, Beginning & Small Farmers Declining

(McLEAN, VA) The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is seeking feedback on its processes for collecting and reporting data on how the System is serving young, beginning and small farmers (YBS), one of its statutory requirements. Commenters are invited to provide input on how the accuracy, transparency, and processes surrounding this farmer data collection could be improved; how definitions of key terms could be clarified; whether the definitions of YBS farmers and other terms are still relevant and reflect the evolving agricultural economy; and whether current programs are achieving their mission of serving YBS farmers. Comments are due in mid-May. The American Bankers Association has raised concerns that as the Farm Credit System has grown, it has neglected to serve YBS farmers and ranchers, citing a marked decline in loans to YBS farmers in recent years.