Gordon Johnson, Extension Ag Agent, Kent Co.; gcjohn@udel.edu
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has expanded the Farm Storage Facility loan program to include cold storage for fruits and vegetables. These are low interest loans that are used for financing the construction of new storage and handling facilities on farms. The following are excerpts from the FSA factsheet on the loan program:
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-interest financing for producers to build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities.”
Eligible commodities now include “Fruits (includes nuts) and vegetables – cold storage facilities”.
Eligible facilities now include “New cold storage buildings, including prefabricated buildings, suitable for storing fruits and vegetables having a useful life of at least 15 years. Also may include permanently affixed cooling, circulating, and monitoring equipment and electrical equipment including labor and materials for installation of lights, motors and wiring integral to the proper operation of a cold storage facility.”
For the full fact sheet go to http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/fsfl09.pdf.
An FSA farm storage facility loan must be approved by your local FSA county committee before any site preparation and/or construction can be started. Contact your county FSA office for more information and/or to apply.