USDA Announces Funding Available to Organizations to Assist Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers under Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2021— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers impacted by the pandemic.

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Signup for 2023

Jackson, MS, Feb. 27, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP is a cornerstone voluntary conservation program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a key tool in the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to address climate change and help agricultural communities invest in the long-term well-being of their land and natural resources.

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

South Dakota, 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 Offers Targeted Farm Loan Funding for Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers

Contact: Greer Gill
greer.gill@usda.gov
615-277-2615

(NASHVILLE, TN) – March 1, 2023 -- USDA Tennessee Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, John Litz, reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.

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

Contact:
FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

STILLWATER, Ok, March 3, 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.      

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  

Lansing, MI, 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.      

Twin Cities Metro Growers Network to Host Session on Formation of USDA FSA Urban Ag County Committee

SAINT PAUL, MN, May 10, 2021 —The Twin Cities Metro Growers Network is hosting a webinar with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Minnesota on May 26. Topics will include an overview of USDA programs that align with urban and suburban agriculture and the formation of the FSA County Committee for Urban Agriculture. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the pilot Suburban/Urban Ag County Committee (COC) in Minneapolis-St. Paul, including how to participate through nominating COC candidates and voting in the election.

USDA Announces Sign-up for Cost-Share Assistance for On-Farm Grain Storage in Areas with Limited Commercial Capacity Due to Severe Storms

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2023 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that producers in counties affected by eligible disaster events in Kentucky, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, and Tennessee can apply for cost-share assistance through the Emergency Grain Storage Facility Assistance Program (EGSFP). The new program provides cost-share assistance for the construction of new grain storage capacity and drying and handling needs, in order to support the orderly marketing of commodities.