Posted: 12.23.2011

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hosting two informational seminars for sellers and buyers of farms and land, about how FSA can help finance these transfers from one generation to the next.

The seminar will also include details of the new, land contract guaranty program launched by FSA.

The hour-long seminars will be held on Wednesday, January 11th at 12 pm, and Thursday January 12th, at 6 pm.

Participants can attend the seminar in one of two ways: over the internet or by phone.
"Transferring ownership of a farm can be one of the most important decisions in a land owner's life," said Brad Pfaff, Wisconsin FSA State Executive Director.

FSA has direct farm real estate and personal property loans available to help eligible customers finance the purchase of farmland or personal assets in unique ways beneficial to the seller and buyer. Some loans carry an interest rate as low as 1.5 percent. However, FSA does not replace conventional credit.

A new land contract guarantee program from FSA will guarantee sellers prompt payments of installments made under a land contract, or guarantee the entire contract in case of default.

Besides loans, FSA offers some of the best farm planning and financial counseling in production agriculture and is known as the Lender of First Opportunity. "FSA has helped thousands of Wisconsin farm families transfer the farm over the past 75 years, and we continue that tradition today," added Pfaff.

Since the seminars are limited in size, early registration is required. Attendees must pre-register by going to http://www.fsa.usda.gov/wi and follow the "Attend Transferring Farms & Land Webinar" link or contact their local FSA office to sign up.

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