Delaware young farmers can apply for no-interest loans year-round

To offer young farmers more flexibility in acquiring a farm, the Delaware Aglands Foundation Board will institute a rolling application process for its Young Farmers Loan Program.

Qualified Delaware farmers between 18 and 40 years old can apply for long-term, no-interest loans to help purchase land. The program reduces the financial impact on farmers just starting out or looking to expand.

“In the past, we asked that applicants apply by a specified date in the fall, but we realized this was restricting their opportunities to find the perfect farm when it came on the market,” said Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Austin Short. “This new rolling application system will allow a young farmer to apply when they secure the contract on the farm and have their application reviewed when they absolutely need it. The application window will close once the funding is fully utilized for that fiscal year.”

Applicants must have at least three years of farming experience, and their net worth must not exceed $300,000. Eligible farms must contain at least 15 acres of cropland and must not be enrolled in a conservation easement at the time of purchase. The 30-year, no-interest loans may fund up to 70 percent of the value of a property’s development rights, defined as the difference between full market value and agricultural value, up to a maximum of $500,000.

Delaware’s Young Farmers Loan Program began in 2011 to help lower barriers to young people wanting to get started in farming. So far, 35 farmers from all three counties have purchased land totaling 2,700 acres of farmland using $8 million in loans.

That includes both individual farmers and couples, all seeking to purchase new land or expand their existing farms. Land purchased through the program is permanently preserved through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.

For more information, go to www.agriculture.delaware.gov or contact Short at 302-698-4500 or austin.short@delaware.gov.