USDA Seeks Members for Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production.  USDA will accept nominations from May 7, 2024, to July 7, 2024. The 12-member Committee, which first convened in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production.

USDA Innovative Agriculture Micro-grants for Chicago (IAM-Chi) *

* SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 8, 2024 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency Outreach Office and Illinois FSA Office, in cooperation with University of Illinois Extension, announces an opportunity for urban farmers and producers, beginning farmers, historically underserved producers, and food entrepreneurs in Chicago, Illinois to apply for an IAM-Chi grant. 

USDA Now Accepting Applications for Available Funds to Help Cover Organic Certification Costs

South Dakota, May 16, 2024 – Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31, 2024, deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved. 

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

HARRISBURG, PA, 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.