Borrower rights in the Farm Credit System focus of NALC webinar
“The Farm Credit System has played a critical role in U.S. agriculture. It’s important to have this resource available on borrower rights within the Farm Credit System, and Bob is uniquely positioned to present on this topic.” —Harrison Pittman
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
April 7, 2025
Fast facts:
- Upcoming webinar highlights Farm Credit System borrower rights
- AgSouth Farm Credit’s Bob Mikell will present
- Registration is available at no cost online
(391 words)
Download related photo
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As U.S. producers face growing economic uncertainty, tariffs, rising input costs, and more, it’s important that farmers, ranchers and those across the industry know how to navigate financial distress.
From 2023 to 2024, Chapter 12 bankruptcies for U.S. farms increased 55 percent, underscoring the mounting challenges faced by producers. This specific type of bankruptcy is designed for family farmers and fishermen to restructure debts to avoid the possibility of asset liquidation.
“The agricultural industry continues to face challenges with financial strain impacting producers and others across the country,” said Bob Mikell, executive vice president and general counsel at AgSouth Farm Credit. “With economic challenges persisting, understanding distress loan servicing options and borrower rights within the Farm Credit System is increasingly important for farmers, ranchers and other borrowers.”
The Farm Credit System was established in 1916 to provide credit and financial services to rural communities and agriculture. As of June 30, 2024, the Farm Credit System held $421 billion in outstanding debt —a 6 percent increase over the previous 12-month period, according to the Farm Credit Administration.
On April 16, the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC, will host a webinar to address borrower rights and challenges. Titled “Distressed Loan Servicing and Borrower Rights in the Farm Credit System,” and presented by Mikell, the webinar will explore key aspects of borrower rights in the Farm Credit System. This includes loan restructuring, credit review hearings, the right of first refusal and more.
“Producers and those who work with them need to understand the distress loan process when dealing with Farm Credit System institutions, especially in times of financial difficulty like what we are in,” Mikell said. “Understanding restructuring options and borrower rights can make a significant difference when navigating current financial conditions.”
The webinar will begin at 11 a.m. Central/Noon Eastern. Registration is available free of charge at nationalaglawcenter.org/webinars/distressed-loan-servicing.
“The Farm Credit System has played a critical role in U.S. agriculture,” said Harrison Pittman, director of the NALC. “It’s important to have this resource available on borrower rights within the Farm Credit System, and Bob is uniquely positioned to present on this topic.”
Recent ag trade webinar
The NALC and Agri-Pulse Communications recently hosted a webinar on agricultural trade and policy, titled “The Road Ahead: Agriculture, Trade, and Policy in a Changing World.” A recording of that presentation is available online.
For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org. The NALC is also on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Subscribe online to receive NALC Communications, including webinar announcements, the NALC’s Quarterly Newsletter, and The Feed.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
# # #
Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu