(a) In generalThe Secretary shall enter into contracts to provide educational training to all borrowers of farmer program direct loans made under this chapter in financial and farm management concepts associated with commercial farming.
(b) Contract(1) In generalThe Secretary may contract with State or private providers of farm management and credit counseling services (including a community college, the extension service of a State, a State department of agriculture, or a nonprofit organization) to carry out this section.
(2) ConsultationThe Secretary may consult with the chief executive officer of a State concerning the identity of the contracting organization and the process for contracting.
(c) Eligibility for loans(1) In generalSubject to paragraph (2), to be eligible to obtain a direct loan under this chapter, a borrower must obtain management assistance under this section, appropriate to the management ability of the borrower (as determined by the appropriate county committee during the determination of eligibility for the loan).
(2) Loan conditionsThe need of a borrower who satisfies the criteria set out in section 1922(a)(1)(B) or 1941(a)(1)(B) of this title for management assistance under this section shall not be cause for denial of eligibility of the borrower for a direct loan under this chapter.
(d) Guidelines and curriculumThe Secretary shall issue regulations establishing guidelines and curriculum for the borrower training program established under this section.
(e) PaymentA borrower shall pay for training received under this section, and may use funds from operating loans made under subchapter II to pay for the training.
(f) Waivers(1) In generalThe Secretary may waive the requirements of this section for an individual borrower if the Secretary determines that the borrower demonstrates adequate knowledge in areas described in this section.
(2) CriteriaThe Secretary shall establish criteria providing for the application of paragraph (1) consistently in all counties nationwide.
Structure US Code
CHAPTER 50— AGRICULTURAL CREDIT
SUBCHAPTER IV— ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
§ 1981. Farmers Home Administration
§ 1981a. Loan moratorium and policy on foreclosures
§ 1981b. Farm loan interest rates
§ 1981c. Oil and gas royalty payments on loans
§ 1981d. Notice of loan service programs
§ 1981e. Planting and production history guidelines
§ 1981f. Underwriting forms and standards
§ 1982. Relief for mobilized military reservists from certain agricultural loan obligations
§ 1983. Special conditions and limitations on loans
§ 1983a. Prompt approval of loans and loan guarantees
§ 1983b. Beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot program
§ 1983c. Provision of information to borrowers
§ 1983d. Farmer loan pilot projects
§ 1986. Conflicts of interests
§ 1987. Debt adjustment and credit counseling; “summary period” defined; loan summary statements
§ 1990. Transfer of lands to Secretary
§ 1990a. Refinancing of certain rural hospital debt
§ 1993. Transition to private commercial or other sources of credit
§ 1994. Maximum amounts for loans authorized; long-term cost projections
§ 1996. Loans to resident aliens
§ 1997. Conservation easements
§ 1998. Guaranteed farm loan programs
§ 1999. Interest rate reduction program
§ 2001. Debt restructuring and loan servicing
§ 2001a. Debt restructuring and loan servicing for community facility loans
§ 2002. Transfer of inventory lands
§ 2003. Target participation rates
§ 2004. Expedited clearing of title to inventory property
§ 2005. Payment of losses on guaranteed loans
§ 2006. Waiver of mediation rights by borrowers
§ 2006e. Prohibition on use of loans for certain purposes
§ 2006f. Rural development certified lenders program
§§ 2007 to 2007e. Repealed. , ,
§ 2008. Rural development and farm loan program activities
§ 2008b. Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; qualified beginning farmers and ranchers
§ 2008c. Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs technical assistance and training
§ 2008d. Recordkeeping of loans by borrower’s gender
§ 2008e. Prohibition under rural development programs
§ 2008f. Crop insurance requirement
§ 2008g. Payment of interest as condition of loan servicing for borrowers
§ 2008h. Loan and loan servicing limitations
§ 2008i. Short form certification of farm program borrower compliance
§ 2008k. Making and servicing of loans by personnel of State, county, or area committees
§ 2008l. Eligibility of employees of State, county, or area committee for loans and loan guarantees
§ 2008m. National Rural Development Partnership
§ 2008p. Grants for NOAA weather radio transmitters
§ 2008q–1. Grants to improve supply, stability, safety, and training of agricultural labor force
§ 2008s. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program
§ 2008v. Strategic economic and community development