Loan guarantee
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans — Eligible Rural Agricultural Businesses
USDA Rural Development
What you can get
A USDA guarantee supports a lender loan for business property, equipment, modernization and eligible refinancing. Borrower repays the loan. • Rates are negotiated. Terms cannot exceed 40 years. Guarantee percentages and fees depend on current fiscal-year rules; the website still labels percentages FY2026, so confirm FY2027 terms before applying.
- Readiness
- Local office first
- Who can apply
- producer, Individuals operating eligible rural agricultural businesses, including commercial nurseries, forestry and aquaculture
- Coverage
- Available nationwide
- Deadline & timing
- Lenders submit applications year-round, October 1–September 30. Borrowers start with a lender and Rural Development state specialist. Biodigester and controlled environment agriculture projects are paused through December 31, 2026, or further guidance; no resumption is assumed.
- Eligibility
- Projects generally must be outside towns over 50,000 population; check the USDA address map and exceptions. Credit and collateral underwriting applies. The current pause includes vertical farming, hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics. Traditional greenhouse and mushroom operations are excluded from the pause; other eligibility requirements remain. Pause source
Optional expert service · $249
Turn program research into an application package.
An eligibility screen for one farm, a shortlist of up to three relevant programs, and draft practice justifications and a document checklist for one selected application. Delivered within 7 business days after intake.
Last verified Nov 5, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.