04/02/10

Agriculture Best Management Practices Loan Program

The Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District handles the Agriculture Best Management Practices (BMP) Loan Program.

• The Ag BMP Loan Program:

• Provides low interest financing for the implementation of conservation practices that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots and farm fields and other pollution problems identified in the Lincoln County Water Management Plan

• Provides loans for projects that reduce existing water quality problems caused by agriculture activities or failing septic systems

• Helps landowners comply with water related laws or rules

• Can be used with state and federal cost-share or other sources of funding

• Who may apply for loans:

• Farmers

• Rural Landowners

• Agriculture supply businesses

• Eligible Activities:

• Feedlot improvements

• Upgrading manure storage basins

• Improved manure handling, spreading and incorporation equipment

• Terraces, waterways, water and sediment control basins, windbreaks, and other practices that prevent erosion

• Conservation tillage equipment

• Repair of individual sewage treatment systems

• Ineligible Activities:

• Most new construction projects

• Financing projects already completed

• Improvement for feedlots with more than 1,000 animal units

• Activities for operations that have criminal proceedings against them

• Contacts/Where to Apply:

• Contact the Environmental Office at 507-694-1344 for loans dealing with septic systems

• Contact the Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District at 507-694-1630, Ext. 3 for all other practices or email:

  • pauline.vanoverbeke@mn.nacdnet.net or

  • ron.madsen@mn.nacdnet.net

• Local Lenders:

• The local lender for the septic system program is Lincoln County.  Contact the Environmental Office at 507-694-1344 for more information

• Local Lenders for all other practices include:

  • Farm Credit Services of MN Valley - Scott Anderson, 800-450-5751.

  • First Security Bank Lake Benton - Gary Williams, 507-368-4261

• Limitations of Loans:  Below are a few limitations of the Ag BMP Loan Program.  For addition limitations of loans contact the Lincoln SWCD or the MN Dept. of Ag.

• The total amount of loans to an individual borrower does not exceed $100,000.

• Sewage Treatment Systems treating more than 10,000 gallons average daily flow per day are ineligible.

• No livestock production with more than 1,000 AU are ineligible.

• Incremental costs associated with increasing the production capacity of a livestock facility are ineligible.

• The maximum interest rate is 3%, interest plus usual and customary fees charged by the lender

• The local lender may set additional terms and requirements for eligibility of projects

• These loans are meant to encourage water quality protection and may only be used to solve existing water quality problems.

• For More Information:

• Local units of government, lenders or individuals wishing additional information should contact Dwight Wilcox at:

  Agriculture Best Management Practices Loan Program
  Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  625 Robert St. N.
  St. Paul, MN  55155-6120
  651-201-6618
  or email: Dwight Wilcox