Despite past consolidation, a diverse group of nearly 2 million farmers remains in the US. The diversity of farm operations suggests that niches exist with unique needs and varying potential for lending growth or decline. Understanding these niches will help lenders develop profitable farm lending programs, especially as technological changes and regulatory reforms transform rural credit delivery. Fifteen mutually exclusive lending niches are identified using averages from USDA's Farm Costs and Returns Survey for 1991 to 1993. These niches are categorized by measures of farm sales, net worth, nonfarm income, and operator age.
