Lending
Access Fair and Affordable Ag Loans
Loans for Small- and Mid-Scale Fishers
Specialized Loans for Conservation
Loans and services to support your success
California FarmLink is a non-profit, mission-based business lender serving farmers, ranchers, and fishers. Certified as a CDFI, we have made more than $70 million in loans since 2012. Our team understands the unique financing needs of agriculture and fishing businesses. Our lending aims to be fair and affordable. Learn more about the people we serve here.
No minimum credit score
Helping people who have had challenging credit histories or little credit.
Fair & flexible loans
Lending with fairness and flexibility to support business resilience.
Specialized loan officers
Loan officers who understand the complexities of farming and fishing cash flows.
Free technical assistance
Business technical assistance to support your success.
First-time borrowers welcome
Help for first-time borrowers to demonstrate business vitality.
Discounted rates
Resilerator Rate: 1% interest rate discount when you complete our educational course.
Current Rates & Terms
Operating & Term Loans
Interest: 7.00% fixed rate, with potential for 1.00% discount for FarmLink educational program graduates.1
Operating expenses, working capital, equipment, vessels, permits, infrastructure, permanent crop development and replanting, and vehicles.
Loans starting at $5,000
Fees: 0.5% to 2%
Land & Housing Loans
Interest: Rates are competitive with other lenders, tied to national indices, and can be fixed or reset every five years. Ask us.
Land purchase, land refinance, farmworker or farmer housing, and term loans secured by real estate.2
Loans up to $2.2 million
Fees: 0.5% to 2%
Disaster Relief Loans
Interest: 0% to 3.5%
Clean-up and recovery from eligible disasters and related working capital. Funds not always available.
Loans up to $50,000
Fees: 0%
Conservation Loans
Interest: 0% to 3.5%
Bridge financing for conservation practices to be reimbursed by partners.3
Loans up to $100,000 (exceptions apply)
Fees: 0.5% to 2%
Important Information:
Graduates of The Resilerator/Resilerador, Employment Resilerator/Resilerador Laboral, and Regenerator can qualify for a 1% discount on the interest rate for a subsequent loan for each course they complete, up to a maximum of 3 courses/3 loans, with a maximum discount of 1% per loan. For example, after completing the Resilerator and utilizing the incentive, Client will have to graduate from another program of similar commitment (e.g Employment Resilerator or similar) to be eligible for another discount on a subsequent loan.
Discount limitations:
- The amount of the discount is limited to $100K per loan. The total loan amounts may each be greater than $100k, but the discount only applies to the first $100K, after which the remaining portion of the loan will accrue interest at the standard rate.
- The term of the discount is up to 5 years per loan. The total loan terms may each be longer than 5 years, but the discount only applies for the first 5 years, after which the loan will resume accruing interest at the standard rate.
- Loans to purchase or refinance land/real estate are not eligible for this discount.
- This discount may not be combined with any other discounted loan rates.
- Discount may only be applied to loans closed within 3 years of course completion.
Important Information:
2Limited funds available for Down Payment Assistance and Disaster Relief Loans. Inquire for more information.
Important Information:
3USDA EQIP or California's SWEEP, Healthy Soils, and Carl Moyer programs.
NOTE: Rates and terms are subject to change. Individual loan scenarios may fall outside of the above rates and terms. Please speak with a loan officer for more information.
Loan Inquiry Process Overview
Inquire with Us
Start your online application with inquiry to let us know your desired loan size, its purpose, and a bit about your business.
Complete An Application
We work with you to assure that loan financing is the right choice to meet your goals. Our staff can support you in the application process.
Get a decision
Loan reviews are a process of learning about each other. We focus on providing clarity at each step leading to our loan decision.
Loan Types, Terms, and Eligibility
Operating & Term Loans
Small- and mid-scale farmers, ranchers, and fishers often face limited access to business loans. Many lenders may not fully understand your needs, making it difficult to secure an affordable loan that is the right size to support your work. At FarmLink, we consider loan requests starting at $5,000.
Types of Operating & Term Loans
Loan Terms
Eligibility
Materials Needed to Apply
Qualified Use of Funds
Loan Terms
Eligibility
Materials Needed to Apply
Land & Housing Loans
High quality land tenure and quality housing are fundamental challenges for many farmers and ranchers. Our focus is on helping borrowers to build wealth over time. Land ownership is one way to build wealth, and adequate housing is an investment in everyone’s well-being. We can consider loan requests up to $2.2 million.
Disaster Loans
People are increasingly impacted by fires, floods, and mandated fishing season closures. We can offer: 1) Payment deferments for borrowers who are unable to make payments due to lost revenue, 2) Loans up to $50,000 with 0% interest to address business impacts resulting from a disaster, and 3) “Bridge loans” designed to help in the near-term if you are waiting for disaster assistance payments. Please contact us with any questions.
Types of Loans
Loan Terms
Eligibility
Materials Needed to Apply
Types of Conservation Loans
Loan Terms
Eligibility
Materials Needed to Apply
Conservation Loans
Many farmers are adopting regenerative practices that can improve soils, sequester carbon, diversify on-farm habitat, and conserve water. Various programs provide financial support for conservation, but they can be difficult to access due to the financial commitment required. We help by offering “bridge loans” to cover upfront costs that are often required before getting reimbursement.
FAQs
Why work with California FarmLink to get a loan?
Borrowers get competitive interest rates as well as access to educational courses and technical assistance to support your business success. Plus, when you do business with FarmLink, you support our ability to maintain programs and services for other farmers, ranchers, and fishers.
Who can apply for a loan from FarmLink?
Our loans are designed to support farmers, ranchers, and fishers who have difficulty getting affordable business loans, including those who are small-scale and beginning and those who are expanding or innovating.
What can I use a FarmLink loan for?
Loans must be used for business expenses: operating costs, purchasing or refinancing land, vessels and permits, equipment, conservation practices, and consolidating business debt.
Does my credit score impact my eligibility for a FarmLink loan?
Credit scores are a generally accepted quantitative representation of the creditworthiness of an individual. Put another way, it is a prediction of how likely you are to repay a loan on time.
Your credit score is taken into account as part of FarmLink’s underwriting process; however, due to limitations inherent in the way credit scores are calculated, we place greater weight on your credit history, and the circumstances surrounding any derogatory items. Lack of credit history, circumstances outside of your control, and actions you’ve taken to repay and repair derogatory items are important factors that FarmLink considers when evaluating your credit score and credit history.
Your credit score does not impact the interest rate you pay, but it could impact the size of a loan.
What do I need to apply for a loan?
Individuals or businesses may apply with a Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN) See "How do I prepare..." below for more details.
How do I prepare to successfully apply for a loan with FarmLink, and what details are needed for approval?
To apply for a loan with FarmLink, provide a detailed plan for using the funds and prepare financial records such as a profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flow projections, tax returns, and sales receipts. FarmLink also requires an equipment inventory, land tenure documentation, vessel ownership or lease records, and relevant licenses, insurance, and registrations.
To apply for a loan with FarmLink, provide a detailed plan for using the funds and prepare financial records such as a profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flow projections, tax returns, and sales receipts. FarmLink also requires an equipment inventory, land tenure documentation, vessel ownership or lease records, and relevant licenses, insurance, and registrations.
How long does it take to get a loan?
The length of time required depends on the availability of information from the applicant and the type of financing requested, and typically takes 2-4 months from initial contact to loan closing and funding. For example, obtaining an operating loan will generally be a quicker process compared to a land loan.
Your ability to demonstrate the business’ capacity to repay the loan, based on historical and projected production and financial records, will significantly reduce the amount of time it will take to process your application. We can help you assess your “loan readiness” prior to applying, so you have an idea of how long the entire process will take.
Is there any penalty if I pay back my loan ahead of schedule?
No, there is no penalty for early repayment.
How does California FarmLink decide the repayment schedule (term) for its loans?
We base the loan term on the use of proceeds and what's affordable for the borrower. The amount of a loan we offer may differ from what you request.
How does California FarmLink set its interest rates and fees?
We are a nonprofit, mission-driven lender dedicated to making our loans as affordable as possible. Our rates are determined annually by a volunteer advisory committee.
