USDA Expands Funding Opportunities for Specialty Crop Growers to Help Offset On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for 2024 and 2025
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2024— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program to now include medium-sized businesses in addition to small businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can apply for assistance for expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification. The program has also been expanded to include assistance for 2024 and 2025 expenses.
USDA Designates Three New Mexico Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available
USDA Opens Application Period for Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, June 25, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2024. The cooperative agreements, using remaining funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, are jointly administered by USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
USDA Stands Up New Team to Better Serve Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2020 ─The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers.
“More than a quarter of producers are beginning farmers,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. “We need to support the next generation of agricultural producers who we will soon rely upon to grow our nation’s food and fiber.”
USDA Updates Farm Loan Programs to Increase Equity
WASHINGTON, March 8, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating its farm loan programs to better support current borrowers, including historically underserved producers. These improvements are part of USDA’s commitment to increase equity in all programs, including farm loans that provide important access to capital for covering operating expenses and purchasing land and equipment.
USDA to Begin Accepting Applications for Expanded Emergency Livestock Assistance Program to Help Dairy Producers Offset Milk Loss Due to H5N1
Confirmed H5N1 Positive Test Results Required for Recovery Assistance
USDA Designates Chippewa County, Minnesota, as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available
New Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture to Meet March 23-24
WASHINGTON, March 8, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the first public meeting of the inaugural Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on March 23-24, 2022. The public – including urban producers– is encouraged to attend.