More Microloans Issued in Regions With Higher Concentrations of Small Farms and Beginning Farmers, Women, and Minorities

USDA's Direct Operating Microloans are designed to be more convenient and accessible than traditional Direct Operating Loans (DOLs) for groups such as beginning farmers, veterans, women, and minorities. Although any farmer can apply for a Microloan, FSA reserves 70 percent of its funds for these groups. FSA distributed more Microloans in regions with larger shares of farmers in those groups.