WASHINGTON, DC – Small-farm borrowers took out nearly the same number of loans in 2025 as a year earlier, but the total dollars borrowed increased sharply.
Federal banking agencies report about 198,000 small-farm loans totaling $15.6 billion under Community Reinvestment Act reporting. Loan volume increased only about 0.07 percent from 2024, while the dollar value of those loans climbed 7.5 percent according to the American Bankers Association (ABA).
The data cover small loans of $1 million or less reported by financial institutions subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements. Regulators caution that the figures provide a snapshot of lending rather than a complete picture of agricultural credit.
The increase in dollars borrowed comes as producers continue facing elevated costs for fertilizer, fuel, machinery, labor and other operating expenses.
Higher borrowing needs can also increase exposure to interest costs, particularly for producers already managing tight working-capital positions.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Nearly flat loan counts combined with a 7.5 percent increase in dollars borrowed point to larger financing needs across small-farm operations.