Section 374h - Loan eligibility standardsA farmer, forest products business, or a limited liability company, partnership, corporation, or other business entity with a minimum 20 percent ownership of which is vested in one or more farmers, forest products businesses, or a nonprofit corporation, shall be eligible to apply for a farm ownership or operating loan that shall be intended to expand the agricultural economy or forest economy of the State, provided the applicant is:
(1) an owner, prospective purchaser, or lessee of agricultural land in the State or of depreciable machinery, equipment, or livestock to be used in the State;
(2) a person of sufficient education, training, or experience in the operation and management of an agricultural facility or farm operation or forest products business of the type for which the applicant requests the loan;(3) an operator or proposed operator of an agricultural facility, farm operation, or forest products business for whom the loan reduces investment costs to an extent that offers the applicant a reasonable chance to succeed in the operation and management of an agricultural facility or farm operation;(4) a creditworthy person under such standards as the corporation may establish;(5) able to provide and maintain adequate security for the loan by a mortgage on real property or a security agreement and perfected financing statement on personal property;(6) able to demonstrate that the applicant is responsible and able to manage responsibilities as owner or operator of the farm operation, agricultural facility, or forest products business;(7) able to demonstrate that the applicant has made adequate provision for insurance protection of the mortgaged or secured property while the loan is outstanding;(8) a person who possesses the legal capacity to incur loan obligations;(9) in compliance with such other reasonable eligibility standards as the corporation may establish;(10) able to demonstrate that the project plans comply with all regulations of the municipality where it is to be located and of the State of Vermont;(11) able to demonstrate that the making of the loan will be of public use and benefit;(12) able to demonstrate that the proposed loan will be adequately secured by a mortgage on real property or by a security agreement on personal property; and(13) there will be sufficient projected cash flow to service a reasonable level of debt, including the loan or loans, being considered by the corporation. Amended by 2024, No. 141,§ 19, eff. 7/1/2024.Added 1999, No. 25 , § 1; amended 2003, No. 67 , § 7, eff. 6/16/2003; 2015, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § A.6, eff. 6/2/2016.