www.rd.usda.gov

1 (800) 670-6553 (toll free)

USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider, employer, and lender.

PA-2189

January 2016 

How To Get Started

• Contact your local USDA Rural Development 

office for application information. 

• Funding cycles depend on the program you 

are interested in; they can be annual, quarterly, 

or continuous. 

• Program resources like forms, guidance, 

certifications, checklists, and more are 

available online.

Farm Labor Housing 

Direct Loans & Grants

This program provides financing options to 

develop affordable housing for year-round and 

migrant or seasonal domestic farm laborers. 

Eligible applicants include farmers, associations 

of farmers, family farm corporations, nonprofits, 

State and local governments, and Federally 

Recognized Tribes. Active, retired, or disabled 

farm laborers and families are eligible to reside 

in these properties. Borrowers can use funds for 

construction, improvement, repair, and purchase 

of housing, as well as related activities.

Farm Labor Housing assistance is not restricted to 

rural areas. Any area where a need for farm labor 

housing exists is eligible.

For More Information

Information on all USDA Rural Development 

programs is available online or from the office 

serving your area.

From USDA Rural Development

Help for 

Agricultural 

Producers
Are you looking to improve your 

agricultural operation’s bottom 

line? USDA Rural Development 

may be able to help. We offer 

agricultural producers financial 

assistance for:

• Adding value to their products; 

• Improving energy efficiency; and 

• Housing farm laborers. 

Help is available to eligible farmers, 

ranchers, nurserymen, aquaculture 

operators, and others engaged in 

agricultural production.

Except for Value Added Producer Grants, 

assistance under these programs 

is available to applicants in areas 

designated as “rural.” Under law, the 

definition of “rural area” is different for 

each program.

Rural Energy for America 

Program (REAP) 

REAP provides assistance to agricultural producers 

and rural small businesses for renewable energy 

systems and energy efficiency improvements 

through Federal loan guarantees and grants. Funds 

may be used to purchase, install, and construct:

Renewable energy systems, including:

• Wind;

• Solar;

• Biomass, including 

anaerobic digesters;

• Geothermal; and more.

Energy efficiency projects, including:

Value Added 

Producer Grants

Get more revenue from your raw agricultural products 

by processing or marketing them. 

Funds can be used for planning activities or for 

working capital expenses related to producing and 

marketing a value-added agricultural product. 

This assistance is available to:

• Independent producers;

• Agricultural producer groups; 

• Farmer or rancher cooperatives; and 

• Majority-controlled producer-based business. 

Participants must obtain matching funds for half the 

total costs of their project.

• Heating, ventilation, 

and air conditioning 

systems;

• Insulation;

• Lighting;

• Cooling or 

refrigeration units;

• Controls and 

equipment;

• Doors, windows, 

and other building 

improvements; 

and more. 

Grants can finance up to 25 percent of the project 

cost, and loans or loan and grant combinations can 

finance up to 75 percent of the project cost.