farm loans

Under the current system, agriculture producers must be the sole owner-operator of their farm or ranch to qualify for loans from the federal government. A bipartisan bill would allow those with just a 50% stake to apply — something lawmakers, farmers and lobbying groups say is a much-needed modernization.

The Missouri legislation reflects growing demand for such programs in numerous states.

Liz Graznak runs an organic farm near Jamestown, Missouri, which she calls Happy Hollow Farm. She sells her vegetables to local restaurants, in CSA boxes…

Farmers across the Midwest are trying to figure out how to get by at a time when expected prices for commodities from corn, to wheat, to cattle, to hogs…