From dephelps@wsu.eduMon Jul 31 14:59:29 1995 Date: Mon, 31 Jul 1995 08:58:24 -0700 From: Colette DePhelps To: SANET-MG@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: SUST. AG. LOANS >To Sanetters and Sust. Ag. Res. and Educ. Discussion groups: > >Is anyone familiar with loan application/approval guidelines that : > >- provide Ag Lenders with info in a form that might lead them to be more >comfortable with making loans for sustainable ag practices? OR > >- are used by public agencies when assessing loan/grant applications for >sustainable ag practices? > >I recently heard that unfamiliarity with some of these practices AND not having >data from traditional sources on their economic impact at the farm level may be >a barrier for sustainable farmers getting such loans. > >Maybe a review or course can be developed... IF the info is out there. > The Pacific Northwest Sustainable Agricultural Systems In-Service Education Program (funded by Western Region USDA-SARE through Chapter 3 of the 1990 Farm Bill) recently funded an educational project proposal entitled "Alternative Lending mechanisms for Sustainable Agriculture." The project is "aimed at informing trainers, educators, and others about alternative lending mechanisms...[promoting] sustainable agriculture by making it easier for farmers to obtain loans or other financial support needed to sustain their farms during the transition from conventional to sustainable agriculture." The project will be sponsoing a workshop on alteratives in Boise, Idaho September 18, 1995. For more information regarding lending alternatives or the project, contact: Karen Murphy or Gwen Bane The Northwest Coalition for Alteratives to Pesticides PO 1393, Eugene, OR 97440 503/344-5044 fax 503/344-6923 email: NCAP@igc.apc.org Colette DePhelps Outreach Coordinator Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164-6240 509/335-2887 FAX 509/335-6751 email DEPHELPS@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu