My dad was telling me about something he heard from a real estate agent about an agricultural land loan program where you get 80% financing from a traditional lender, then the government program will provide some or all of the remaining 20% if its for agricultural use. I've done some googling and haven't found anything like this, and I don't even know if I'm looking for a real program or it was just something the real estate agent said. Does something like this exist?

Might be the beginner farmers and ranchers.
There are some hoops you got to jump through though.

http://www.start2farm.gov/usda/programs

One odd thing is that you have to have a contract on the land first THEN you can see if you can qualify for this program.

Thank you-- I think I came across that link while googling but didn't spend a lot of time on it. I will keep doing some research and pass it along to my dad to take a look at.

Talk to Captial Farm Credit. I bought my farm with 100% financing backed by the govt. This was back in 1997 and I think that's how the beginner farmer program was structured back then

Did you go through the Dayton branch?

Actually my land purchase back then was with Dayton St Bank. I have a buddy who's an Ag and works for CFC that I would highly recommend

Give your local Capital Farm Credit office a call. They can help answer any questions and point you in the right direction.