The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the modernization of their loan and grant systems that support farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Sam Berry, USDA Chief Information officer said, “At the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we are leveraging innovative technology to deliver faster, more secure services in alignment with the Secretary’s vision for a modern and customer-focused USDA. In 2026, we are excited to transform our loan and grant systems to reduce processing time, advance our commitment to efficiency, and overall provide an outstanding experience to the citizens we serve.”
Farm Production and Conservation Under Secretary Richard Fordyce said, “Under President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ Farmers First agenda, USDA’s loan modernization effort marks a major step forward in how we better support access to financing for America’s farmers and ranchers. By giving producers the option to apply for a loan and work directly with our loan staff from any device, anywhere at any time, we are making our programs more accessible and more responsive to the realities of modern agriculture. This transformation strengthens our commitment to delivering reliable credit and customer-focused support in ways that fit the everyday lives of the producers who rely on us to help them meet their production agriculture goals.”
According to the Department, “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 By removing outdated hurdles and accelerating secure USDA services, farmers and rural communities can continue to thrive and succeed.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.