USDA Announces Signup for 2023 Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers 

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2023— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop producers of available assistance to help cover certain costs of complying with regulatory and market-driven food safety certification requirements. Applications for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program for eligible 2022 costs are due by Jan. 31, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for 2023 costs from Feb. 1, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2024. 

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 27, 2023.

Planning Projects 

USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Webinar to be held March 4

SAINT PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 18, 2021 — Understanding the many resources available to beginning farmers can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Minnesota will host a public webinar with the University of Minnesota Extension on March 4, 2021. The 45-minute presentation includes speakers from Minnesota FSA, Risk Management Agency (crop insurance), Rural Development, and Natural Resources Conservation Service on the programs and services available to beginning farmers.

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 27, 2023.

Planning Projects 

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Nebraska Farmers, Livestock Producers Impacted by Recent Winter Storms

Lincoln, Nebraska, Feb. 26, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides technical and financial assistance to help Nebraska farmers and livestock producers recover from damages brought on by winter storms Uri and Viola. Agricultural producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to learn about the programs available to help them recover from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses.

 Urban Producers, Public Invited to Attend February Meeting of Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages urban producers, innovative producers and other stakeholders to virtually attend the fourth public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (Committee) on Feb. 23, 2023.