USDA offers loans to farmers

By Jessi Haish

A small loan program has been created to help community farmers, the federal government announced Tuesday. These micro-loans are available up to $35,000 and are “designed to aid startup costs, bolster existing family-run farms and help minority growers and military veterans who want to farm,” according to an AP article. The interest rate is currently 2.5 percent but changes monthly. The loan does not have to be repaid for seven years.