The FSFL program has provided Bouchard Farms the ability to finance better equipment and storage facilities at favorable rates, significantly improving the farm’s operations and productivity.
By Amanda May, Farm Service Agency
Bouchard Farms, a potato farming family legacy spanning four generations, is thriving in Aroostook County, Maine, thanks to Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program, which provided crucial financing for storage and equipment upgrades ultimately boosting production, quality, and profitability.
According to Rickey Bouchard, a third-generation farmer, his grandfather planted the first crop of Bouchard Farms potatoes in 1965 laying the foundation for a family tradition that continues today. These days Rickey works alongside his sons Alex and Riley pulling in a fourth generation of potato farmers.
“The FSFL program has always been a key factor in our farm’s success, offering better financing options than we could find elsewhere,” said Bouchard. “In 1987, my cousin Craig and I planted our first crop of potatoes and both held Farm Operating Loans with FSA. In 2002, we used the FSFL program to finance our first new storage building.”
Bouchard Farms has utilized the FSFL program multiple times, including:
- 2020: A new storage building and equipment including two trucks, a trailer, bulk body, and a generator.
- 2024: Another storage building.
- 2025: A new bulk body and a used truck and body.
The Bouchard’s have been able to increase production and hold their product in storage longer, resulting in better marketing quality and higher profitability.
The FSFL program has provided Bouchard Farms the ability to finance better equipment and storage facilities at favorable rates, significantly improving the farm’s operations and productivity. As a result, they have been able to increase production and hold their product in storage longer, resulting in better marketing quality and higher profitability.
These upgrades have undeniably contributed to better crop quality, reduced waste, and increased profitability. The farm storage program has given Bouchard Farms the opportunity to improve both their equipment and storage which will continue to benefit the farm for years to come.
Bouchard Farms intends to use the FSFL program again in 2025 to purchase a new bulk body and used truck and body. They plan to continue utilizing the program to further improve their farm’s infrastructure and capabilities.
When asked about his use of the FSFL program Bouchard said, “I feel fortunate to be able to work with the Aroostook County [FSA] office and have the opportunity to make the improvements to the farm that need to be made.”
How to apply
Loan applications should be filed in the administrative FSA county office that maintains a producer’s farm records. Producers can contact their FSA County Office to make an appointment. Beginning farmers who haven’t worked with FSA can visit farmers.gov/your-business/beginning-farmers for more information or view the New Farmers Fact Sheet.
More information
2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the FSFL program. For more information on this popular program, visit the FSFL webpage, view the fact sheet and our Ask the Expert Blog, or contact your FSA County Office.
Amanda May is the Agricultural Program Chief for the Farm Service Agency in Maine.
