AGI provisions have been simplified and modified. Producers whose average AGI exceeds $900,000 are not eligible to receive payments or benefits from most programs administered by FSA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

PL and AGI is a means of determining eligibility for program participation. The total amount of payments received, directly and indirectly, by a person or legal entity is limited by the applicable program limitation. Most USDA programs administered by FSA require a producer to demonstrate control and risk in their operation. In addition, a producer must show financial independence to be separate and distinct from others. PL is a means to determine if the producer meets these requirements and ensures that the various program limitations are not exceeded by any one person or legal entity.

OCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers to repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and to help put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought. The ECP does this by giving ranchers and farmers funding and assistance to repair the damaged farmland or to install methods for water conservation. FSA also has a related program for emergency forest restoration.

Awards $200,000 per person or legal entity per disaster

LFP Provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or is planted specifically for grazing. The grazing losses must be due to a qualifying drought condition during the normal grazing period for the county. LFP also provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses on rangeland managed by a federal agency if the eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire.

ELAP provides payments to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish to help to compensate for losses due to disease (including cattle tick fever), adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary.

LIP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law.

DMC is a voluntary risk management program for dairy producers. DMC replaces the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). DMC continues to offer protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer.

NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting.

awards $125,000 – $300,000 per crop year

A producer who is eligible to obtain a loan, but who agrees to forgo the loan, may obtain an LDP. The LDP rate equals the amount by which the applicable loan rate where the commodity is stored exceeds the alternative loan repayment rate for the respective commodity.

MAL is a low interest, short-term commodity loan that makes it possible for producers to store their grain while prices are typically lower and still have funds to maintain their operating expenses.

The FSFL program offers low interest loans for construction of new grain, biomass, hay, or cold storage facilities.

Funding can be used to: sell real estate through a land contract to a beginning or underserved farmer; guarantee is with the seller of the real estate.

The purchase price of the farm cannot exceed the lesser of: $500,000; or the current market value of the property

Funding can be used to: implement any conservation practive in an NRCS-approved conservation plan; or may be used to refinance debts related to implementing an NRCS-approved conservation plan.

Funding can be used to: purchase farm, construct buildings or other capital improvement, soil and water conservation, pay closing costs, refinance debts.

Funding can be used to: purchase livestock, poultry equipment, feed, seed, farm chemicals, and supplies; soil and water conservation; or to refinance debts with certain limitations

Funding can be used to: purchase livestock, poultry equipment, feed, seed, farm chemicals, and supplies; soil and water conservation; or to refinance debts with certain limitations

Funding can be used to: restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year; pay essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming operation; refinance debts with certain limitations

awards 100% actual or physical losses $500,000 maximum program indebtedness

Funding can be used to: purchase livestock, poultry equipment, feed, seed, farm chemicals, and supplies; soil and water conservation; or to refinance debts with certain limitations

Funding can be used to: purchase livestock, poultry equipment, feed, seed, farm chemicals, and supplies; soil and water conservation; or to refinance debts with certain limitations

Purchase of farm by a beginning or underserved farmer

Awards up to the lesser of 45% of: – the purchase price; – the appraised value; or – $667,000 ($300,150 maximum)

Funding can be used to: purchase farm, construct buildings or other capital improvement, soil and water conservation, pay closing costs.

Funding can be used to: purchase farm, construct buildings or other capital improvement, soil and water conservation, pay closing costs.

Funding can be used to: purchase farm, construct buildings or other capital improvement, soil and water conservation, pay closing costs.

Businesses and startups in the Verde Valley or Maricopa County that are seeking funding specifically to decrease their environmental impact can apply for the Green Loan Fund. Local First partners with Growth Partners Arizona to service the agreements, and loan applications are reviewed by LFA sustainability staff in the region of the applicant. Applicants must have completed Local First’s SCALE UP program (7 classes; no cost) and may apply for up to $10,000 at 4% interest to upgrade equipment to reduce their business water use, energy use, emissions, or waste.

Businesses and startups in all industries located in Graham, Greenlee or Cochise Counties can apply for up to $25,000 at a flat 7% interest over 24 or 36 months. Local First partners with Community Investment Corporation to service the agreements, and loan applications are reviewed by a steering committee of local community members.

Designed to make equity investments in established venture capital firms to attract new capital in innovative Arizona-based businesses. This program is administered through the non-profit Arizona Venture Development Corporation (AVC).

ARIZONA VENTURE CO-INVEST PROGRAM – AVC IGNITE
Designed to make direct equity investments in innovative seed- and early-stage businesses in targeted sectors alongside institutional/venture capital firms, established angel capital associations, corporate VCs and established accelerators and incubators. This program is administered through the non-profit Arizona Venture Development Corporation (AVC).

The Arizona Loan Guarantee Program provides guarantees to partnering lenders for up to 50% of principal on loans to eligible businesses. This program is part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative and helps partnering lenders mitigate risk so they can increase capital available to small businesses located across Arizona. *Loans and lending decisions are made by the partnering CDFIs using their own underwriting and loan evaluation criteria and lending decisions are at the sole discretion of the lender – no loans come directly from the Arizona Commerce Authority.

The 504 Loan Program provides long-term, fixed rate financing for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation.

504 loans are available through Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA’s community-based partners who regulate nonprofits and promote economic development within their communities. CDCs are certified and regulated by the SBA.

The maximum loan amount for a 504 loan is $5.5 million. For certain energy projects, the borrower can receive a 504 loan for up to $5.5 million per project, for up to three projects not to exceed $16.5 million total.

The 7(a) Loan Program, SBA’s most common loan program, includes financial help for small businesses with special requirements. This is the best option when real estate is part of a business purchase, but it can also be used for: Short- and long-term working capital, Refinance current business debt, Purchase furniture, fixtures, and supplies. The maximum loan amount for a 7(a) loan is $5 million. Key eligibility factors are based on what the business does to receive its income, its credit history, and where the business operates. Your lender will help you figure out which type of loan is best suited for your needs.

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to: To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund. Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA.

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.