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.
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.
Honolulu, HAWAII, August 29, 2016 - Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a number of loan programs available to assist applicants to begin or continue in agriculture production. Loans are available for operating type loans and/or to purchase or improve farms or ranches.
Honolulu, HAWAI, July 25, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Diane Ley, 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.
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.
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees is open for the 2016 election process.
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.
WASHINGTON, April 13, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hawaii County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Maui County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
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.
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
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.
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed members of the USDA Minority Farmers Advisory Committee (MFAC). The committee provides farmer, rancher, industry and public perspectives on USDA strategies, policies and programs that impact minority farmers and ranchers.
Honolulu, Hawaii, October 9, 2015 - USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is partnering with the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) to host workshops to assist producers in better understanding the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), and how the program can assist in financial recovery from natural disasters. Workshop highlights will include:
Hilo, Hawaii, October 8, 2015 - Commercial agricultural producers in Hawaii County, whose operations suffered physical damage or losses caused by flash flooding that occurred August 24, 2015 through September 27, 2015, may be eligible for Emergency Loans through the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Honolulu, Hawaii, October 8, 2015 - Producers who filed a timely application with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the 2015 Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (RTCP) have until November 3, 2015 to bring their supporting receipts and documentation to the FSA County Office.
Barrigada, Guam, Sept. 23, 2015 - Today, Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Farm Service Agency County Executive Director Thomas Camacho announced the extension of the deadline to sign up for Reimbursement of Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) to October 9, 2015 for CNMI producers. This extension will assist producers who have had problems accessing communication systems following Typhoon Soudelor and may have missed the program deadline.
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.
Honolulu, Hawaii, August 31, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii and Pacific Basin State Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Diane Ley announced that beginning July 20, farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous continental United States can enroll in the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2015. Applicants must submit their application to their administrative county FSA office by Sept. 11, 2015. Applicants will have until Nov. 2, 2015, to provide supporting documentation.
Honolulu, Hawaii, August 21, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Diane Ley reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Kauai and Maui counties in Hawaii as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
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.
Honolulu, Hawaii, June 3, 2015 - The Hawaii and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for low interest loans available through the FSA direct farm ownership program. Applications must be approved by September 30, 2015, to take advantage of the funding available.
WASHINGTON, June 1, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that incentives will resume this summer for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners interested in growing and harvesting biomass for renewable energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. BCAP provides financial assistance to establish and maintain new crops of energy biomass, or who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a qualifying energy facility.
MILWAUKEE, May 29, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that an additional 800,000 acres of highly environmentally sensitive land may be enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under certain wetland and wildlife initiatives that provide multiple benefits on the same land.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers that the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA service center by June 1, 2015, in order to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support.
(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 24, 2015 – Farmers and ranchers in the counties of Hawaii and Honolulu who suffered damages from severe winds on January 2-3, 2015 may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). A qualifying producer may receive cost share assistance up to 75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures, such as debris removal or repair of conservation practices. No producer is eligible to receive more than $200,000 per natural disaster occurrence.
March 16, 2015 - Agricultural producers negatively impacted by Tropical Storm Bavi may be eligible for disaster assistance through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) if they are signed up for the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and file a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) within 72 hours for hand-harvested crops under the new provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill.
(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 10, 2015 - Commercial agricultural producers on Hawaii Island, who were negatively impacted by the volcanic eruption and lava flow from Kilauea Volcano, may be eligible for Emergency Loans through the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).
(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 3, 2015 - Financial assistance is available for farmers and ranchers who have debris to remove or conservation practices to repair as a result of the high winds that occurred in Hawaii and Honolulu Counties on January 2-3, 2015. According to Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Diane Ley, a total of $1.4 million in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funding has been requested to assist producers recover from damages caused by the high winds. Eligible producers will receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost of the approved practice, as determined by the FSA County Committee.
Honolulu, Hawaii, February 06, 2015 — Agricultural producers whose operations suffered severe physical losses caused by high winds and flooding that occurred January 2-3, 2015 in the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu may qualify for a Farm Service Agency (FSA) Emergency Physical Loss Loan.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds livestock producers that the Jan. 30, 2015, deadline to request assistance for losses suffered from Oct. 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2014, is fast approaching.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation's dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety-net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program 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.