** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS PROJECT INVESTIGATES THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOIL QUALITY ON DEBT REPAYMENT POTENTIAL OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PRODUCERS (INCLUDING MINORITY FARMERS) AND IN-TURN ITS EFFECT ON DISCRIMINATION IN FSA FARM LOANS. SPECIFICALLY, THE TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE: 1) EXAMINE THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOIL QUALITY ON DEBT REPAYMENT POTENTIAL SEGMENTED BY SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZE PRODUCERS; 2) INVESTIGATE LOAN SERVICE DISCRIMINATION (MEASURED BY LOAN APPLICATION PROCESSING DAYS) WHILE CONTROLLING FOR FARM DEBT REPAYMENT POTENTIAL.THE RATIONALE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE THE PROFITABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS AND EXAMINE FACTORS THAT MAY RESULT IN A MORE RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. FARM EFFICIENCY IS IMPACTED BY THE LACK OF ACCESS OR DELAYED ACCESS TO CREDIT. FARM DEBT REPAYMENT POTENTIAL IS IMPORTANT FOR CREDIT APPROVAL AND PROCESSING PROCEDURES. CREDIT DISCRIMINATION CAN AFFECT A PRODUCER'S DECISION-MAKING AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, LEADING TO PRODUCERS MISALLOCATING RESOURCES, FINANCES AND LABOR.CLIMATE CHANGE MAY AFFECT FARMS' PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY, AND FARMERS WILL NEED TO ADAPT TO CHANGES IN WEATHER BY ADOPTING NEW CROPS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. THE COST OF ADAPTATION IS UNCLEAR, BUT FARM CREDIT WILL LIKELY BE AN IMPORTANT WAY FOR PRODUCERS TO FINANCE THEIR INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE RISK MITIGATION. IDENTIFYING THE DRIVERS OF FARM CREDIT REPAYMENT THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING THE RESILIENCY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE FARMS IN THE US.