At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), our team is leveraging innovative technology to deliver faster, more secure services without bureaucratic barriers.
In 2026, USDA will begin transforming duplicative loan and grant systems into a modern platform built for the 21st century. We’re excited to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to improve customer experience and reduce approval times.
Investing in Rural America
Timely access to capital keeps America’s farms and ranches thriving. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) delivered nearly 28,000 direct and guaranteed loans totaling over $6.7 billion in funding. Producers can use direct and guaranteed loans to cover operating needs and purchase or improve land and buildings. Smaller and niche operations can access Microloans, while youth can access loans for supervised projects.
In Indiana, Matthew and Rachel Stine expanded and diversified their business, growing what began as a beef cattle farm into a grain operation, Christmas tree farm, and pumpkin patch, thanks to two FSA farm ownership loans.
Rural Communities Count on USDA Programs to Thrive
USDA Rural Development (RD) helps towns grow by strengthening housing, healthcare, utilities, and local businesses. In FY 2025, RD supported communities with 68,223 loans and grants, more than $42 billion in new funding for home purchases, repairs to affordable rental housing, community facilities like hospitals and schools, water and wastewater upgrades, broadband and energy projects, and business development.
Using $57 million in low, fixed-rate RD Community Facilities Direct Loans, Harrison County Community Hospital will add more than 20 local jobs and bring advanced surgery, specialty clinics, and emergency care to six Missouri counties.
Integrating USDA Systems
To make these programs easier to use, USDA is streamlining over 130 separate FSA and RD loan and grant systems into one secure platform. The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is collaborating with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), FSA, and RD, to cut manual steps, streamline workflows, and speed decisions.
With a single customer file, step-by-step intake and eligibility tools, and online payments, this modern platform will manage 1.2 million current active files all in one place, enabling employees to deliver faster service to customers and lending partners. By removing outdated hurdles and accelerating secure USDA services, farmers and rural communities can continue to thrive and succeed.
