MACHIAS, Maine — The Maine Farmland Trust is seeking applicants for its Land Access Loan Program in Washington County.
The program, designed to help farmers obtain farmland, was piloted in January 2015 with plans to expand it statewide in 2016, according to Erica Buswell, project manager in land protection and farmland access at Maine Farmland Trust.
“We haven’t had anyone submit a loan application yet,” she said Tuesday, adding she is not sure why. Some people have called expressing interest, but no one has moved forward.
Buswell hopes loan applications will come in this spring so the trust can see how well the program works over the summer and fall. If all goes well, it may still be expanded statewide in 2016.
“We are fairly confident that we have a program that will meet a need,” she said.
The program combines business planning assistance with the opportunity to obtain financing for a land purchase, according to a news release from the organization.
“The program aims to help grow the farming community in Washington County by attracting new farmers to the area and helping established farmers increase their land base,” Buswell said.
“We need farmers,” said Regina Grabrovac, food programs manager for Healthy Acadia, the region’s local Healthy Maine Partnership organization. “There’s land available.”
Access to land is one of the biggest challenges new farmers face, yet it is a fundamental component of establishing a farm business, she said.
“Farmland in Washington County may be less expensive here relative to other parts of Maine, but I regularly hear about new people coming to this region who are interested in farming but still do not have the upfront capital to finance the cost of purchasing farmland,” Grabrovac said.
The Land Access Loan Program is available to all farmers, though priority is given to beginning farmers of limited means.
There are two types of loans. Down payment loans cover some or all the down payment needed to secure a loan from a commercial bank, Farm Credit or Farm Service Agency. Principal loans help a borrower purchase farm property.
Farmers interested in the Land Access Loan Program are encouraged to contact Maine Farmland Trust well in advance of submitting a loan application to the program.
“Then we can verify your borrower eligibility and provide any technical assistance with developing a farm business plan,” Buswell said. “The business planning assistance offered through this program is equally as valuable as the funds available to farmers.”
Additional information on terms, eligibility and other details are available online or by contacting Buswell at 338-6575 or ebuswell@mainefarmlandtrust.org.