USDA Expands Eligibility, Enhances Benefits for Key Disaster Programs

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made updates to several conservation, livestock and crop disaster assistance programs to give more farmers, ranchers, and tribes the opportunity to apply for and access programs that support recovery following natural disasters. Specifically, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded eligibility and enhanced available benefits for a suite of its programs.

USDA Offers Targeted Farm Loan Funding for Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers

Contact: greer.gill@usda.gov

(NASHVILLE, TN) – March 1, 2021 – USDA Tennessee Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director, Tyeisha L. Samples, reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.

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

Contact:
FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

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.   

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Farmers and Livestock Producers in Indiana Impacted by Recent Winter Storms

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 5, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides technical and financial assistance to help Indiana 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.

USDA Invests $9.4 Million in Compost and Food Waste Reduction Projects

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $9.4 million in 45 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. The Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s broad support for urban agriculture through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP).

USDA Develops Simplified Direct Loan Application to Improve Customer Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a simplified direct loan application to provide improved customer experience for producers applying for loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The simplified direct loan application enables producers to complete a more streamlined application, reduced from 29 to 13 pages. Producers will also have the option to complete an electronic fillable form or prepare a traditional, paper application for submission to their local FSA farm loan office.

March 15 Deadline to Complete Election & Enrollment for 2021 Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage Programs

Columbia, MO, March 8, 2021 – Agricultural producers in Missouri who have not yet elected and enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 have until March 15. Producers who have not signed a contract or who want to make an election change should contact their local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center to make an appointment. Right now, 71,500 farms have enrolled, about 91% of expected participation.