Saturday, January 23, 2016

The Value Of Disabled Veteran Farm Loans

By Ryan Howard


The veteran farmer is a farmer like any other but is differentiated by their background. This is because they must have served in the army before. They are classified as those with no previous background of farm management and those with experience of below ten years. On the other hand, disabled veteran farm loans are only given to those who became disabled while serving their country. Unfortunately, they were injured, disabled or incapacitated in the process. This has limited their ability to be economically independent because they cannot work.

Many soldiers who go to war or report for active duty return home safe and sound after completing their tours. However, some of them are injured while in service and become disabled. These are given special care by the government because they are heroes who almost gave their lives in service and protection of human freedom and dignity. Since they are incapacitated and cannot do any meaningful economic activity due to their condition, they are identified by the government and qualify to get loans to purchase farms at subsidized interest rates and with special repayment plan.

They have been put in a distinct class that aims to protect their special interests together. While they are basically similar to other low income farmers ranked as beginners, they are only different in terms of their service and disability. Any branch of the army will do even if it was the reserve. The government offers incentives to those owners that agree to sell land to veterans. This is evident in the CRP payments that are added to such sellers to encourage more of such action.

These include additional CRP payments usually given to encourage more sellers do the same. This program is run by Transitive Incentive Program and can pay up to two years of additional payments. The program empowers the new owner to begin using their land even before the expiration of the current contract. They can develop it, improve it, begin conservation efforts or apply for organic certification.

The disabled veterans are often given preference in these programs. The main reason is that they are disadvantaged both physically and socially. This disadvantage has allowed them to qualify for various conservation programs by USDA. The body has set aside portions of land and money to help special groups of people in need of them.

They can also get grants to use in value addition production. This allows such farmers to get grants for personal business ventures directly. The main purpose is to allow them organize their products and other producer groups in the development of their strategies and plans in a bid to market their value added products.

Microloans are given by Farm Service Agency. This body allows veterans to access loans at reduced interest rates and with simplified repayment conditions. It aims to make these facilities easy to take and repay to attract more people and encourage them.

There is also a lot of outreach and assistance to veterans in terms of education, training as well as technical assistance. They are given effective vocational training and advice on how to not only run their lands but also how to manage their loans effectively.




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