Cherryvale, Kan. -- Christopher Helt's dream of one day breeding his own calves came true with the approval of his application for a Beginner Farmer and Rancher Direct Operating Loan (DOL) from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Helt was approved for $30,000 in March 2009 to purchase 24 cows and has been actively caring for and breeding them since putting them to pasture. With the funding, he was also able to purchase a truck-mounted remote feeder and a large cement feeder trough from a local retailer in his town.

"I have always wanted to get into this business," said Helt. "I have always been an outdoors person and I have been helping others raise cattle over the years with the goal of one day starting my own herd."

With funds allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Helt's application was approved and expedited, allowing him to quickly purchase the cows to begin breeding them for eventual sale. He candidly admits that if it were not for this loan, his goal of starting this business would not have become a reality.

Not part of a farming family, Helt gained his experience breeding and raising calves helping others, when not working in his primary profession as a sandblaster. With the start of his own agricultural business, Helt aspires to grow his herd into the hundreds. He has already applied for an additional $40,000 Beginning Farmer and Rancher DOL to double the current size.

Helt first learned about FSA's loan programs from a friend and submitted a loan application when he believed the timing was right. He found an ideal 75-acre pasture for rent near his home and purchased various breeds of cattle, including Angus. His stepson has also become interested in raising calves and was recently approved for a Rural Youth Loan to purchase five cows for eventual breeding.

"I would not be able to do this if it were not for this FSA loan," added Helt. "My bachelors degree in business and years of experience helping other farmers has prepared me to run this business, but I needed the available loan funding to make it a reality."

Helt expects to have bred 20 calves by the end of this year and to use the profit to build a saving's account for his family. His long-term goals include eventually attaining an FSA ownership loan to buy his own land to raise cattle and possibly crops as well. He credits his success to having learned from veteran farmers and hopes to be a resource to next generation farmers down the road.