If you are a farmer in financial distress, please reach out to Farm Aid’s hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243) or submit an online request for assistance form.

Overview

The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network (DBAN) helps farmers, ranchers and foresters who are facing financial distress by providing one-on-one support that is tailored for their unique challenges. Through our network of trained direct service providers, we offer personalized assistance to producers and connect producers with valuable resources to build their financial strength and long-term resilience.

We focus on connecting  producers with local direct service providers and farm support organizations in their communities, helping to build lasting relationships and ongoing support when they need it most.

DBAN strives to:

• Provide direct support and technical assistance to help farmers recover financially;
• Help farmers more easily access Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) service programs and other beneficial resources;
• Build the skills of direct service providers so they can better support farmers with tailored assistance;
• Train the next generation of direct service providers; and
• Support farmers in achieving stable and healthy financial futures.

DBAN was inspired by the crucial work of direct service providers during the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, who fought to keep their fellow farmers and neighbors on the land. Learn more about the 1980s Farm Crisis, the role of direct service providers and the work of Farm Aid, RAFI, FLAG and University of Arkansas in supporting farmers.

Who is involved in DBAN?

DBAN is a collaborative effort led by Farm Aid, Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG), and University of Arkansas, and funded by USDA.

The farm-support organizations participating in DBAN have proven experience in serving agricultural producers and have earned the trust of their farming communities. They provide personalized support, technical assistance, outreach services, and connections to valuable resources and referrals.

Our Approach

DBAN offers practical trainings, useful resources and thoughtful network facilitation to help individuals and organizations strengthen their capacity to reach and serve farmers in need. We create a supportive community where direct service providers from across the United States can share what works, learn from one another and find more effective ways to help farmers facing financial distress.

Our training spans a wide range of topics–from financial, technical and interpersonal skills–emphasizing approaches that respect each farmer’s unique situation.

By strengthening the skills of direct service providers and encouraging collaboration across participating organizations, DBAN helps financially distressed farmers:

• Get a clear picture of their financial situation and explore their options;
• Connect with helpful services and resources that can improve their financial health and stability; and
• Build stronger and more resilient farming operations for the long-term.

How DBAN Makes a Difference

• We connect farmers facing financial distress with skilled direct service providers who offer tailored, one-on-one support and technical assistance on improving financial stability.
• We help direct service providers develop the knowledge and skills they need to guide farmers through complex financial challenges and support their long-term financial health and stability.

Access Our Materials

DBAN training resources are freely available to support direct service providers working with financially distressed farmers. We encourage farm-support organizations and individuals to share these materials widely throughout their networks.

Below are a few resources for farmers experiencing financial distress. Check out all of Farm Aid’s farmer resources on our Resources for Farmers page.

Farm Aid Hotline: If you want to talk with one of our Hotline Operators, give us a call at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). We answer the Hotline Monday through Friday from 9am – 9pm ET; 6am – 6pm PT. The Spanish Hotline is answered Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET.

Don’t want to call the Hotline? You can also request assistance online. The Hotline Team responds to each request within 24-48 hours.

Farm Aid Farmer Resource Guides: Check out our Farmer Resource Guides, created by Farm Aid’s Hotline Team. They’ve compiled the best resources for several important topics including Farm Stress, Disaster Support, Legal Assistance and more.

Farm Aid Farmer Resource Network: The Farmer Resource Network (FRN) is a free search tool that can be used to find organizations and resources that are useful for farmers, agricultural service providers, farmworkers, farm communities and farming families across the United States. Be sure to check out these resources:

• Helping Farmers in Financial Crisis (PDF)
• Farm Stress and Emotional Well-Being (PDF)
• When Do I Need A Lawyer? (PDF)

Additional Resources

Agricultural Finance, Tax and Asset Protection (AgFTAP): The AgFTAP portal offers farm business resources for farmers and service providers.

• Identifying Financial Stress in Farmers and Ranchers
• Introduction to Risk Management (PDF)

Native Agriculture Financial Services (NAFS) Webinars: From July 2025-July 2026, NAFS is offering monthly financial webinars on topics including agricultural mediation, risk management and accounting.

Coalition of Agricultural Mediation Programs (CAMP): CAMP is a network of USDA Certified State Programs offering mediation services to the agricultural community.

Farm Advocates Photo: Rob Amberg

During the devastating Farm Crisis of the 1980s, hundreds of thousands of family farmers faced foreclosure. Out of the need to support family farmers in crisis arose a movement of farm supporters. Fellow farmers and rural leaders studied laws and regulations, started hotlines and answered farmers’ calls from their kitchen tables to keep their neighbors on the land. Homeplace Under Fire is a film, produced by Farm Aid in 2017, that celebrates these heroes and their remarkable work. Thousands of farmers are alive and on their land today because of them.

Farm Aid has been doing the work of supporting family farmers since 1985. A cornerstone of this work, The Farm Advocate Link, was established in 2011 as a structured national network of direct service providers partnering with grassroots farm organizations across the country. Farm Aid, RAFI and FLAG share a 40-year history of commitment and collaboration to support family farms–a mission that remains central to their work. Farm Aid brings decades of hotline and crisis response experience, FLAG contributes specialized legal expertise in agricultural issues, and RAFI provides deep experience in farm supporter programming. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture has more than 60 years of expertise delivering evidence-based research, guidance and education to farms and families, encompassing fields such as financial planning and policy. The mission of DBAN is to recruit, train and strengthen a new generation of direct service providers to support family farmers facing financial distress.

To learn more about DBAN, contact Mary Oxendine at mary@farmaid.org or 617-634-3413 or Nora Miller at nora@farmaid.org or 617-360-8297.