The HumanLinks Foundation Loan Program, administered by Banner Bank, offers small loans ($2.5K-$25K) at low interest rates (3%) to sustainable farmers in Washington state. The initial application identifies four criteria used by the bank when vetting applicants: credit, cash flow projections, capacity for repayment (related to cash flow), and the applicant's character. That's all pretty straightforward except that I don't see collateral on the list. 

So far the program has mostly focused on flood victims, but it's purpose much broader. To learn more, contact Nancy Iscovitz at nancy@humanlinksfoundation.org.

Alex Moore is Program Manager at Cascade Harvest Coalition