USDA Begins Issuing Payments for Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2022— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is increasing the amount of funding available for the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) and expects to issue approximately $62.8 million in pandemic assistance payments to hog producers starting this week. SMHPP assists eligible producers who sold hogs through a spot market sale from April 16, 2020, through Sept. 1, 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) accepted SMHPP applications through April 29, 2022. 

USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020.

Farm Service Agency Seeking Nominations for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on Local County Committees

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2024 – Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024.    

Deadline Extended and More Pre-Filled Forms For 2020 and 2021 Disasters on the Way

More Producers to Soon Receive Applications for over $105 Million in Additional Emergency Relief 

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it will indefinitely extend the deadline for producers to return the pre-filled applications for Phase One of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP).  A new deadline will be announced after the last Phase One applications are mailed and provide at least 30 days following the mailing.  

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Emergency Loans for Producers in 4 Primary Ohio Counties Affected by Tornado, Flash Flood and Excessive Rain that occurred on April 2, 2024, with Additional Counties Eligible as Contiguous Counties

Ohio agricultural producers in Adams, Gallia, Lawrence, and Meigs counties who lost property due to recent natural disasters are eligible for physical loss loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). 

USDA Announces Updates for Honeybee Producers

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced updates to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). These updates include changes required by the 2018 Farm Bill as well as discretionary changes intended to improve the administration of the program and clarify existing program requirements.