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  1. USDA Makes it Easier to Transfer Land to the Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers

    Fri Dec 30, 2016 at 10:06 AM

    Allows for Transfer of Certain Conservation Reserve Program Land to New Farmers;
     Provides Priority Enrollment in Working Lands Conservation Programs

    DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 29, 2016 – Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Lanon Baccam today announced that beginning Jan. 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer an early termination opportunity for certain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, making it easier to transfer property to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including family members. The land that is eligible for the early termination is among the least environmentally sensitive land enrolled in CRP.

  2. USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Investments in New Jersey

    Fri Dec 30, 2016 at 08:56 AM

    More than 1560 acres in New Jersey can begin enrollment to protect water quality and improve wildlife habitat.

    (Hamilton Square, New Jersey), Dec. 30, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Paul Hlubik today announced that up to 1560 acres can be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in New Jersey for critical wildlife and water quality efforts.

  3. USDA Provides New Cost Share Opportunities for Organic Producers and Handlers

    Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 09:08 AM

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting March 20, 2017, organic producers and handlers will be able to visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic or transitional certification.

  4. USDA Announces Additional Financial Incentives for Conservation Reserve Program Participants to Improve Forest Health and Enhance Wildlife Habitat

    Wed Dec 14, 2016 at 04:11 PM

    JACKSON, Miss., Dec. 9, 2016 – In an effort to improve wildlife habitat and the health of private forest lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced additional incentives available for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants to actively manage forest lands enrolled in the program.

  5. USDA Announces New Conservation Opportunities to Improve Water Quality and Restore Wildlife Habitat

    Fri Dec 9, 2016 at 12:48 PM

    DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 7, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer farmers and ranchers more opportunities to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The announcement includes new CRP practices to protect water quality and adds an additional 1.1 million acres targeted to benefit wildlife, pollinators and wetlands.

  6. Farm Service Agency Extends Voting Deadline for County Committee Elections

    Tue Nov 29, 2016 at 03:06 PM

    Farm Service Agency Extends Voting Deadline for County Committee Elections

    New Jersey Producers Now Have Until Dec. 13 to Submit Ballots

    (Hamilton Square, New Jersey) Nov. 29, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) New Jersey Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Paul J. Hlubik, today announced that the deadline to submit ballots for the 2016 County Committee Elections has been extended to ensure farmers and ranchers have sufficient time to vote. Eligible voters now have until Dec. 13, 2016 to return ballots to their local FSA offices. Producers who have not received their ballot should pick one up at their local FSA office.

  7. USDA Resumes Incentives to Grow the Bioeconomy and Improve Forest Health

    Thu Nov 10, 2016 at 10:08 AM

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that $1.5 million will be available in fiscal year 2017 for farmers and foresters who harvest and deliver biomass for renewable energy. The funds are from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. 

  8. FSA County Committee Elections to Begin; Producers to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 7

    Fri Nov 4, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 – 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 2016 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 5, 2016, to ensure that their vote is counted.

  9. USDA Expands Working-Lands Conservation Opportunities through CRP

    Fri Nov 4, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 4, 2016 – Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Under Secretary Alexis Taylor today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands practice specifically tailored for small-scale livestock grazing operations. Small livestock operations with 100 or fewer head of grazing dairy cows (or the equivalent) can submit applications to enroll up to 200 acres of grasslands per farm. USDA’s goal is to enroll up to 200,000 acres.

  10. USDA Invests $1.7 Billion to Protect Sensitive Agricultural Lands through Conservation Reserve Program

    Fri Oct 28, 2016 at 01:00 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.

  11. USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Safety Net Coverage in 2017

    Fri Oct 28, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that producers on farms with base acres under the safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, can begin visiting FSA county offices starting Nov. 1, 2016, to sign contracts and enroll for the 2017 crop year. The enrollment period will continue until Aug. 1, 2017.

  12. USDA Designates 11 Counties in New Jersey as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

    Fri Oct 7, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 counties in New Jerseyas primary natural disaster designations due to losses caused by the combined effects of freeze, excessive heat and drought that occurred from April 1, 2016, through Sep. 19, 2016.

  13. USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Farmers in Response to 2015 Market Downturn

    Tue Oct 4, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    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.

  14. USDA Announces Availability of Additional Farm Loan Funding

    Fri Sep 2, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    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.

  15. USDA Announces Safety Net Assistance for Milk Producers Due to Tightening Dairy Margins

    Tue Aug 9, 2016 at 02:14 PM

    (WASHINGTON, DC) 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.

  16. New Jersey Producers Reminded of Nearing Deadline to Submit Nominations for Farm Service Agency County Committees

    Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 01:40 PM
    (Hamilton Square, NJ) July 25, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) New Jersey Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Paul J. Hlubik, 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.

  17. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Proclaims August 7-13 "National Farmers Market Week"

    Mon Jul 11, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, July 11, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 7-13, 2016, as "National Farmers Market Week." This year marks the 17th annual National Farmers Market Week to honor and celebrate the important role that farmers markets play in local economies.

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

    Wed Jul 6, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    (Hamilton Square, NJ), July 6, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Jersey 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.

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

    Tue Jun 14, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, June 14, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins Wednesday, June 15, 2016.

  20. USDA Unveils New Improvement to Streamline Crop Reporting

    Tue May 31, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, May 31, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that farmers and ranchers filing crop acreage reports with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and participating insurance providers approved by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) now can provide the common information from their acreage reports at one office and the information will be electronically shared with the other location.

  21. USDA Extends Deadline for Recording Farm Structure

    Fri May 27, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, May 27, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a one-time, 30-day extension to the June 1 deadline for recording farm organization structures related to Actively Engaged in Farming determinations. This date is used to determine the level of interest an individual holds in a legal entity for the applicable program year. Farming operations will now have until July 1 to complete their restructuring or finalize any operational change. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the extension in response to farmers and ranchers who requested more time to comply, and to assure that everyone has enough time to provide their information under the new rules.

  22. USDA Resumes Incentives to Grow and Harvest Biomass for Energy and Biobased Products

    Mon May 23, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, May 23, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that incentives resume this month for farmers and foresters who grow and harvest biomass for renewable energy and biobased products. The funds come through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

  23. USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Results

    Thu May 5, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, May 5, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the enrollment of more than 800,000 acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Through CRP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) helps farmers offset the costs of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and strengthen wildlife habitat. Farmers’ and ranchers’ participation in CRP continues to provide numerous benefits to our nation, including helping reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gases and providing resiliency to future weather changes.

  24. USDA Offers New Loans for Portable Farm Storage and Handling Equipment

    Fri Apr 29, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 29, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Elanor Starmer announced changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program today during a local and regional food roundtable in Columbus, Ohio. The loans, which now include a smaller microloan option with lower down payments, are designed to help producers, including new, small and mid-sized producers, grow their businesses and markets.

  25. USDA Establishes New Partnerships to Link Underserved Farmers to FSA Programs

    Wed Apr 27, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, April 27, 2016 – The U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) today announced cooperative agreements with 55 partners to educate farmers and other producers that have been underserved by USDA programs historically about Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that provide financial, disaster or technical support. Nearly $2.5 million will go to nonprofits, associations, universities, and foundations that will provide training and information on agricultural best practices, local networking opportunities, and more.

  26. USDA To Offer Certificates for Farm Commodities Pledged to Marketing Loans

    Wed Feb 3, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that producers who have crops pledged as collateral for a marketing assistance loan can now purchase a commodity certificate that may be exchanged for the outstanding loan collateral. The authority is provided by the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, legislation enacted by Congress in December. Commodity certificates are available beginning with the 2015 crop in situations where the applicable marketing assistance loan rate exceeds the exchange rate. Currently, the only eligible commodity is cotton.

  27. USDA Expands Microloans to Help Farmers Purchase Farmland and Improve Property

    Tue Jan 19, 2016 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2016 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new financing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. These microloans will be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations.

  28. USDA Shares 2015 Results: Building a Stronger Rural America through Partnership, Progress and Promise

    Tue Dec 22, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2015 – This year, millions of rural businesses and families were positively impacted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments in their communities. Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a list of USDA's top achievements in 2015, demonstrating USDA's efforts to help farmers and ranchers bring their products to tables domestically and abroad, build critical infrastructure in America's rural areas, conserve our nation's natural resources through long-lasting partnerships, and continuously work toward improving the lives of all Americans.

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

    Wed Dec 16, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    USDA 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.

  30. Enrollment Period for 2016 USDA Safety Net Coverage Begins Dec. 7

    Fri Dec 4, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced that producers who chose coverage from the safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, can begin visiting FSA county offices starting Dec. 7, 2015, to sign contracts to enroll in coverage for 2016. The enrollment period will continue until Aug. 1, 2016.

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

    Tue Dec 1, 2015 at 01:00 PM
    Farmers and ranchers are reminded 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.

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

    Tue Nov 10, 2015 at 01:00 PM
    Farm Service Agency (FSA) 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.

  33. USDA Designates 13 Counties in New Jersey as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

    Tue Nov 10, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated in multiple disaster designations 13 counties in New Jersey as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by abnormally dry drought conditions and excessive heat, followed by excessive rain, flash flooding, high winds, lightning, and back to excessive heat and drought that occurred in 2015.

  34. New USDA Commitments to Help Build Up Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers

    Tue Nov 3, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture 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.

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

    Wed Oct 28, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has 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.

  36. Farmers to Receive Documentation of USDA Services

    Mon Oct 19, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    (Hamilton Square, NJ) October 19, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Paul Hlubik reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs.

  37. USDA Extends Dairy Margin Protection Program Deadline

    Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) 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.

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

    Tue Sep 22, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA has announced that $2.5 million in grants is now available for projects to educate new and underserved farmers about more than 20 Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that can provide financial, disaster or technical assistance to the agricultural community.

  39. USDA Commodity Loans Available to New Jersey Producers

    Tue Sep 8, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that USDA offers interim financing at harvest time to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell commodities when market prices are at harvest-time lows. The programs, known as Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs) and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs), were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill for the 2014-2018 crop years.

  40. Deadline to Enroll in Key Farm Bill Safety Net Programs Approaches

    Thu Sep 3, 2015 at 01:00 PM
    Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers that they have until Sept. 30 to enroll in several key Farm Bill safety net programs – Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy).