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

    Wed Jan 4, 2017 at 09:26 AM

    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 Provides New Cost Share Opportunities for Organic Producers and Handlers

    Thu Dec 22, 2016 at 02:24 PM

    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.

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

    Fri Dec 16, 2016 at 01:08 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.

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

    Thu Dec 8, 2016 at 07:15 AM

    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.

  5. USDA Partners with Farmers and Ranchers to Protect More Than 500,000 Acres of Working Grasslands

    Thu Dec 1, 2016 at 08:31 AM

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2016 – Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Under Secretary Alexis Taylor today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will accept more than 504,000 acres that were offered by producers during the recent ranking period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands enrollment. Through the voluntary CRP Grasslands program, grasslands threatened by development or conversion to row crops are maintained as livestock grazing areas, while providing important conservation benefits.

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

    Wed Nov 30, 2016 at 07:35 AM

    (Morgantown, W.Va.) Nov. 29, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Richard V. Snuffer II, 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

    Tue Nov 15, 2016 at 02:05 PM

    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. USDA Expands Working-Lands Conservation Opportunities through CRP

    Fri Nov 4, 2016 at 02:24 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.

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

    Fri Nov 4, 2016 at 09:44 AM

    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.

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

    Mon Oct 31, 2016 at 03:03 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

    Mon Oct 31, 2016 at 01:54 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 Announces Streamlined Guaranteed Loans and Additional Lender Category for Small Scale Operators

    Fri Oct 21, 2016 at 10:25 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.

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

    Wed Oct 5, 2016 at 10:36 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.

  14. USDA Announces Availability of Additional Farm Loan Funding

    Wed Sep 7, 2016 at 11:57 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.

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

    Thu Aug 25, 2016 at 03:18 PM

    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.

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

    Wed Aug 10, 2016 at 02:31 PM

    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.

  17. USDA Reminds West Virginia Producers of Aug. 1 Deadline to Enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs

    Thu Jul 21, 2016 at 02:27 PM

    (Morgantown, W.Va.), July 21, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Richard V. Snuffer II reminds farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1 to enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and/or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2016 crop year.

    “Producers have already elected ARC or PLC, but they must enroll for the 2016 crop year by signing a contract before the Aug. 1 deadline to receive program benefits,” said Snuffer. “Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment to enroll.”

  18. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Proclaims August 7-13 “National Farmers Market Week”

    Tue Jul 12, 2016 at 10:31 AM

    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.

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

    Fri Jul 1, 2016 at 10:40 AM

    (Morgantown, W.Va.), July 1, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in West Virginia 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.

  20. USDA Reminds Individuals and Small Businesses Affected by Flooding in West Virginia that USDA Offers Disaster Assistance Programs to Help

    Fri Jul 1, 2016 at 08:47 AM

    Washington, June 30, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by flooding in West Virginia that USDA has several programs which provide assistance before, during and after disasters. USDA staff in regional, State and county offices are ready to help.

    When floods destroy or severely damage residential property, USDA Rural Development (RD) can assist with providing priority hardship application processing for single family housing. Under a disaster designation, RD can issue a priority letter for next available multi-family housing units.

  21. USDA Offers Flood Impacted West Virginia Farmers and Ranchers Immediate Disaster Assistance

    Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 07:27 AM

    (Morgantown, W. Va.) – June 28, 2016 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Richard V. Snuffer II,reminds farmers and ranchers across the state of federal farm program benefits that may be available to help eligible producers recover from recent heavy rains and flooding.

    “These widespread, significant rain and flood events in West Virginia have left extensive damage in their wake,’” said Snuffer. “As such, many farmers and ranchers are experiencing prevented planting, failed acres, displaced and deceased livestock and property damage.”

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

    Wed Jun 15, 2016 at 12:34 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.

  23. USDA Extends Deadline for Recording Farm Structure. Gives Non-Family Farming Operations More Time to Restructure in Response to ‘Actively Engaged’ Farm Management Rule.

    Thu Jun 2, 2016 at 09:46 AM

    WASHINGTON, June 1, 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.

  24. USDA Unveils New Improvement to Streamline Crop Reporting. Update Lets Farmers and Ranchers Report Common Acreage Information Once

    Thu Jun 2, 2016 at 09:36 AM

    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.

  25. USDA Offers Targeted Farm Loan Funding for Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers

    Tue May 24, 2016 at 09:56 AM

    (Morgantown, WV) – May 24, 2016-- USDA West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Richard V. Snuffer II, reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.

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

    Tue May 24, 2016 at 09:47 AM

    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. 

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

    Mon May 2, 2016 at 12:38 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.

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

    Mon May 2, 2016 at 08:25 AM

    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.

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

    Tue Apr 12, 2016 at 12:06 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.

  30. USDA Financial Assistance Available to Help Organic Farmers Create Conservation Buffers Additional Opportunities for Organic Farmers are Available through the Farm Service Agency

    Tue Mar 1, 2016 at 06:47 AM

    LA CROSSE, Wis., Feb. 26, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intent to assist organic farmers with the cost of establishing up to 20,000 acres of new conservation buffers and other practices on and near farms that produce organic crops. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs, Brad Pfaff, issued the announcement today at the Midwest Organics and Sustainable Education Service conference in La Crosse, Wis.

  31. 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.

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

    Wed Dec 16, 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.

  33. USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Safety Net Coverage in 2016

    Thu Dec 3, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today 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.

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

    Wed Dec 2, 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.

  35. USDA Reminds Dairy Producers of Nov. 20 Deadline

    Tue Nov 10, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Nov, 9, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that almost half of all dairy farms in America have made their annual elections for 2016 coverage under the Margin Protection Program, and reminded producers who have not yet enrolled that they have until Nov. 20, to select coverage.

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

    Fri Nov 6, 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.

  37. 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.

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

    Tue Oct 27, 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.

  39. USDA Commodity Loans Available to West Virginia Producers

    Mon Sep 7, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    (Morgantown, W.Va.), September 7, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Richard V. Snuffer II, reminds producers that SDA 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

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini 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).

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

    Mon Aug 24, 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.

  42. USDA Announces Incentives to Establish Biomass Crops

    Thu Aug 20, 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.

  43. USDA Adds More Eligible Commodities for Farm Storage Facility Loans

    Tue Aug 18, 2015 at 01:00 PM

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program, which provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade storage facilities, will now include dairy, flowers and meats as eligible commodities.