USDA Expands and Renews Conservation Reserve Program in Effort to Boost Enrollment and Address Climate Change

VIRGINIA, April 21, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects and $25 million for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials.

USDA Releases Nationwide Farmer, Rancher and Forest Manager Prospective Customer Survey

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2023 – Producers can now take a nationwide survey to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) improve and increase access to its programs and services for America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. The survey includes new and existing customers. USDA encourages all agricultural producers to take the survey, especially those who have not worked with USDA previously.

Foreign Investors Must Report U.S. Agricultural Land Holdings

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Warwick, RI, April 16, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director J. Eric Scherer in Rhode Island reminds foreign investors with an interest in agricultural land in the United States that they are required to report their land holdings and transactions to USDA. 

Agricultural Producers Have Until March 15 to Enroll in USDA’s Key Commodity Safety Net Programs  

Lexington, Kentucky, Mar. 6, 2023 – Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year have until March 15, 2023, to elect and enroll a contract. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers these two safety net programs to provide vital income support to farmers experiencing substantial declines in crop prices or revenues.     

Dairy Producers in Indiana Reminded to Enroll in 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage by April 29 

Indianapolis, April 17, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging dairy producers to enroll by April 29, 2024, for 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), an important safety net program that helps offset milk and feed price differences. This year’s DMC signup began Feb. 28, 2024, and payments, retroactive to January, began in March 2024. So far, DMC payments triggered in January and February of 2024 at margins of $8.48 and $9.44 respectively.   

USDA Announces Listening Session on Impacts of COVID-19 on New Farmers

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a virtual listening session for beginning farmers and ranchers to learn how COVID-19 impacted their farming operations and to get their feedback on USDA assistance. The listening session will take place on May 6, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Eastern time.  

Agricultural Producers Have Until March 15 to Enroll in USDA’s Key Commodity Safety Net Programs  

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year have until March 15, 2023, to elect and enroll a contract. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers these two safety net programs to provide vital income support to farmers experiencing substantial declines in crop prices or revenues.