Kansas News Releases

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  1. USDA Invests $1.7 Billion to Protect Sensitive Agricultural Land

    Fri Oct 28, 2016 at 03:45 PM

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue nearly $1.7 billion in payments to more than half of a million Americans who have contracts with the government to protect sensitive agricultural lands. The investment, part of the voluntary USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), will allow producers to protect almost 24 million acres of wetlands, grasslands and wildlife habitat in 2016.

  2. 2015 Kansas ARCPLC Payments Issued

    Fri Oct 28, 2016 at 12:00 AM

    MANHATTAN, KANSAS, October 14, 2016 – USDA Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Adrian Polansky announced that many Kansas farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2015 crop year. The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues due to market downturns.

  3. USDA Announces Streamlined Guaranteed Loans

    Thu Oct 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of a streamlined version of USDA guaranteed loans, which are tailored for smaller scale farms and urban producers. The program, called EZ Guarantee Loans, uses a simplified application process to help beginning, small, underserved and family farmers and ranchers apply for loans of up to $100,000 from USDA-approved lenders to purchase farmland or finance agricultural operations.

  4. USDA Issues 2015 Safety-Net Payments

    Thu Oct 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that beginning today, many of the 1.7 million farms that enrolled in either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will receive safety-net payments due to market downturns during the 2015 crop year.

  5. USDA to Purchase Surplus Cheese for Food Banks and Families in Need, Continue to Assist Dairy Producers

    Fri Sep 2, 2016 at 11:14 AM

    Department Also Will Extend Margin Protection Program for Dairy Enrollment Deadline

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase approximately 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories to assist food banks and pantries across the nation, while reducing a cheese surplus that is at its highest level in 30 years. The purchase, valued at $20 million, will be provided to families in need across the country through USDA nutrition assistance programs, while assisting the stalled marketplace for dairy producers whose revenues have dropped 35 percent over the past two years.

  6. USDA Announces Availability of Additional Farm Loan Funding

    Fri Sep 2, 2016 at 12:00 AM

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that additional funding will be made available to assist more than 1,900 approved applicants who are awaiting farm operating loans. The funds, which were reprogrammed by FSA with the approval of Congress, will leverage up to $185 million in additional lending for direct and guaranteed farm operation loans and will allow the agency to address up to 30 percent of its projected shortfall of funds until the next federal fiscal year resumes on Oct. 1.

  7. USDA Announces Safety Net Assistance for Milk Producers

    Thu Aug 4, 2016 at 12:00 AM

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to American dairy producers enrolled in the 2016 Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The payment rate for May/June 2016 will be the largest since the program began in 2014. The narrowing margin between milk prices and the cost of feed triggered the payments, as provided for by the 2014 Farm Bill.

  8. Deadline Nearing to Submit Nominations for 2016 COC Elections

    Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 12:45 PM

     (Manhattan, Kansas) July 25, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Adrian Polansky, SED, today reminded farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers that they have until Aug. 1, 2016, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees.

  9. Dairy Producers Can Enroll Today to Protect Milk Production Margins

    Fri Jul 8, 2016 at 08:00 AM

    (Manhattan, Kansas), July 8, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas today announced that dairy producers can enroll for 2017 coverage in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) starting July 1. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the producer.

  10. Kansas SED OpED: ACRSI - USDA's New Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative

    Mon Jun 27, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) requires farmers and ranchers participating in our programs to submit an annual report on all cropland use on their farms. Crop insurance agents for providers approved by the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) also require these reports to ensure accuracy with your premiums and when you file claims.

  11. USDA Expands Safety-Net for Dairy Operations Adding Next-Generation Family Members

    Tue Apr 12, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, April 12, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program (MPP) can now update their production history when an eligible family member joins the operation. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, protects participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below levels of protection selected by the applicant.

  12. USDA Sees Strong Demand for Conservation Reserve Program

    Thu Feb 11, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding farmers and ranchers that the competitive sign-up deadline for its most popular voluntary conservation program, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), is Feb. 26, 2016. This will be one of the most competitive general sign-up periods in history, in part due a statutory limit on the number of acres that can be enrolled in the program. The most competitive applications will be those that combine multiple conservation benefits, such as water quality and wildlife habitat.

  13. USDA Removes Farm Program Payments to Managers Not Actively Engaged in Farming

    Tue Dec 15, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today finalized a rule to ensure that farm safety-net payments are issued only to active managers of farms that operate as joint ventures or general partnerships, consistent with the direction and authority provide by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill. The action, which exempts family farm operations, closes a loophole where individuals who were not actively part of farm management still received payments.

  14. USDA Begins 49th Enrollment Period for the Conservation Reserve Program

    Tue Dec 1, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the next general enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) begins today, Dec. 1, 2015, and ends on Feb. 26, 2016. December 2015 also marks the 30th anniversary of CRP, a federally funded program that assists agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.

  15. FSA County Committee Elections to Begin; Producers to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 9

    Mon Nov 9, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2015 – Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the 2015 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 7, 2015, to ensure that their vote is counted.

  16. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden Announces New USDA Commitments to Help Build Up Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers

    Thu Oct 29, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    LOUISVILLE, October 29, 2015—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced a commitment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize $5.6 billion over the next two years within USDA programs and services that serve new and beginning farmers and ranchers. Deputy Secretary Harden also announced a new, tailored web tool designed to connect burgeoning farm entrepreneurs with programs and resources available to help them get started.

  17. USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Farmers Facing Market Downturn

    Mon Oct 26, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2015 — The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that beginning today, nearly one half of the 1.7 million farms that signed up for either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will receive safety-net payments for the 2014 crop year.

  18. USDA Extends Dairy Margin Protection Program

    Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the deadline to enroll for the dairy Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016 has been extended until Nov. 20, 2015. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

  19. USDA Commits $2.5 Million to Expand New Farmer Education

    Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2015 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that $2.5 million in grants is now available for projects to educate new and underserved farmers about more than 20 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency programs that can provide financial, disaster or technical assistance to the agricultural community.

  20. USDA Encourages Producers to Consider Risk Protection Coverage before Fall Crop Sales Deadlines

    Thu Aug 20, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2015 – Farm Service Agency Administrator Val Dolcini today encouraged producers to examine the available U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop risk protection options, including federal crop insurance and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage, before the sales deadline for fall crops

  21. USDA Announces Incentives to Establish Biomass Crops

    Wed Aug 19, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that enrollment begins today for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or biobased products within designated projects areas. The funds are available from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

  22. USDA Announces Incentives to Establish Biomass Crops

    Wed Aug 19, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that enrollment begins today for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or biobased products within designated projects areas. The funds are available from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

  23. Kansas Producers Reminded of Nearing Deadline to Submit Nominations for Farm Service Agency County Committees

    Wed Jul 29, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    Manhattan, Kan., July 29, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Adrian J. Polansky, today reminded farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers that they have until Aug. 3, 2015, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees.

  24. USDA Accepting More Farmland for Wildlife Habitat in Kansas

    Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    Manhattan, Kan. – July 24, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Adrian J. Polansky today announced that an additional 55,000 acres of agricultural land in Kansas is eligible for funding for wildlife habitat restoration.

  25. USDA Announces Conservation Incentives for Working Grass, Range and Pasture Lands

    Wed Jul 15, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, July 15, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that beginning Sept. 1, farmers and ranchers can apply for financial assistance to help conserve working grasslands, rangeland and pastureland while maintaining the areas as livestock grazing lands.

  26. Enrollment for 2016 Dairy Margin Protection Program to Begin July 1

    Mon Jun 29, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    Freeport, ME -- June 29, 2015 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that starting July 1, 2015, dairy farmers can enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. Harden made the announcement while visiting Wolfe’s Neck Farm and dairy school in Freeport, Maine.

  27. USDA Opens Enrollment Period for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Safety-Net Programs

    Mon Jun 15, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, June 15, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that eligible producers may now formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2014 and 2015. The enrollment period begins June 17, 2015, and will end Sept. 30, 2015.

  28. USDA Begins Accepting Applications from States for $100 Million Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership

    Fri Jun 12, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, June 12, 2015 – Following an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 29, 2015, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced that all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. may now apply for up to $100 million in grants under the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). The funding is to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available to American consumers. The Farm Service Agency will administer BIP.

  29. Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15

    Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, June 8, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Monday, June 15, 2015.