WASHINGTON -- Dakota Williams plans to follow in her parents' and grandparents' footsteps and raise cattle near Myron in Izard County. She's using a $15,000 loan from the federal government to purchase at least six head to begin breeding a specialty mix breed of cattle.
"It's all I've ever known," the 18-year-old Arkansan said. "When I was little and my grandparents were alive, we'd get up every morning and go check on the cows. Cattle is my main focus. I've had cattle since I was born."
Williams' loan was the 13,000th one made since the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency began offering "microloans" in 2013 to beginning, niche and small farming operations. The loans of up to $50,000 each have varying terms and must be repaid within seven years.
Williams plans to use her loan to purchase Angus cows, which she will crossbreed with her Brangus bull to create a specialty breed called Ultrablack. While not common, Ultrablack cattle are growing in popularity across the South and in Texas, where they are considered sturdier animals that provide more meat.
"There's not many people that have done it," she said.
Williams, who graduated this year from Salem High School, said it's important for her to continue farming. This fall, she plans to begin studying at Ozarka College's Ash Flat campus. Later, she plans to transfer to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro to finish studying and get a degree in agricultural business. She wants to buy her own land near her parents within 10 years.
She plans to stick close to home.
"There's a bunch of people around here that can't wait to leave, and I just don't understand [it]," she said.
She sees farming and cattle-raising as important, adding, "If everybody gets out of the industry, what are we supposed to eat?"
Linda Newkirk, Arkansas' state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, said the number of Arkansas farmers using the microloans program has increased from 58 loans worth $1.27 million in 2013 to 151 loans worth $4.5 million so far in 2015.
"We're getting more exposure, and outreach and participation, and we're excited about that," Newkirk said. "We'd like those numbers to increase."
Nationally, participation in the program has increased 58 percent since last year, according to the agency. So far in 2015, 5,000 microloans have been issued, with about 70 percent going to beginning farmers.
She attributed some of the increase to a 2014 decision by the USDA to increase the loan cap from $35,000 to $50,000.
"In Arkansas, we've had a loan for just about everything that we do microloans for," she said, including chicken houses, refrigerated vehicles, livestock and operating expenses. Small urban farmers are also eligible.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Small Farm Program Director Henry English said his staff sits down and helps farmers with the applications. He said many seeking loans have small vegetable or livestock operations, and were attracted by the program's looser loan rules and simpler application process.
"It's been a big help to a lot of smaller farmers," he said. "A lot of them would not have even gotten [Farm Service Agency] loans. They wouldn't have ever gone into the FSA offices had it not been for these new microloans."
Microloans require less paperwork than other Farm Service Agency loans and, if application paperwork is complete when it's submitted, "we can do those in a day," Newkirk said. "It's a quick way for them to come in and get money if they need it for certain things."
Newkirk said the bulk of people receiving the loans are first-time farmers just starting out who need a little financial help, which was the program's intent.
"It's a great supplement, and I think it's going to increase because more and more people are coming in to get them," she said. "This is a big agricultural state, and we're excited to be a part of the microloan program and get these young people interested. Trying to rebuild rural America is exciting, and I think this is a good way to start."
Williams has been active showing cattle for years and received her first Farm Service Agency Youth Loan at age 12, according to the agency.
She said approaching the Farm Service Agency for a microloan was logical for her.
"With me being just graduating high school and already [having] one loan through them, it was easier for me to go back to them because they already knew my history and [that I've] never been late on payments," Williams said. "FSA wants you to be successful with what you do. They want this to be beneficial for the long run."
Metro on 07/06/2015