(San Juan, Puerto Rico), November 15, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Perez reminds State producers who experienced losses from natural disasters during the 2017 and 2018 calendar years that they may be eligible for assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 12, 2018 - USDA’s Farm Service Agency has announced the selection of Wanda J. Perez as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Puerto Rico Farm Service Agency (FSA). Perez assumed her new position as state executive director on Sept. 16, 2018.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 12 de octubre de 2018 - La Agencia de Servicios Agrícolas (FSA) del USDA anunció la selección de Wanda J. Pérez como la nueva Directora Ejecutiva Estatal (SED) para la Agencia de Servicios Agrícolas (FSA) de USDA en Puerto Rico. Pérez comenzó en su nueva posición el 16 de septiembre de 2018.
Descripción: La asistencia de WHIP está disponible para productores elegibles para cultivos, árboles, arbustos y enredaderas que sufrieron pérdidas debido a las consecuencias de los huracanes Harvey, Irma, María y otros huracanes e incendios forestales que ocurrieron en el año 2017. El programa cubre tanto la pérdida del cultivo, árbol, arbusto o enredadera, así como la pérdida en la producción. Los huracanes durante el 2017 causaron daños significativos y catastróficos a los cultivos, propiedades e infraestructura en Puerto Rico. FSA reconoce que debido a estas condiciones y para garantizar que la asistencia por desastre se brinde de manera oportuna y eficiente, se aplicarán disposiciones especiales en la administración de WHIP en Puerto Rico.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 16, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Puerto Rico State Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director Wanda Perez today announced to farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous continental United States that the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2018 will begin on July 16, 2018, and end on Sept. 7, 2018.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 16, 2018– Puerto Rico Acting State Executive Director Wanda Perez today announced that agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Maria in 2017 may now apply for assistance to help recover and rebuild their farming operations. Signup begins July 16, 2018, and continues through Nov. 16, 2018.
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2018 – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the re-enrollment deadline for the Margin Protection Program (MPP) for Dairy will be extended until June 22, 2018. The new and improved program 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. USDA has already issued more than $89 million for margins triggered in February, March, and April, and USDA offices are continuing to process remaining payments daily.
WASHINGTON, June 1, 2018 – As part of a 33-year effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on private lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Eligible farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can sign up at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office between June 4 and Aug. 17, 2018.
WASHINGTON, May 31, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting disaster assistance program applications on June 4 from agricultural producers who suffered livestock, honeybees, farm-raised fish and other losses due to natural disasters.
(Washington, D.C., May 11, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Richard Fordyce to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). In his role, Fordyce will provide leadership for FSA and its mission to support agricultural production across America through a network of over 2,100 county and 50 state offices.
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $34 million to help agricultural producers recover from 2017 natural disasters through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), which covers losses not covered by certain other USDA disaster assistance programs. These payments are being made available today, and they are part of a broader USDA effort to help producers recover from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, wildfires and drought. A large portion of this assistance will be made available in federally designated disaster areas.
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires. The funds are available as part of the new 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). Sign-up for the new program, authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, will begin no later than July 16.
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2018— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, January 16, 2018- U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the individuals who will serve on the Puerto Rico USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. The state committee is responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving appeals from the agriculture community, and helping to keep producers informed about FSA programs.
WASHINGTON, 20 de octubre de 2017 - A raíz de los huracanes de 2017, el Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (“U.S. Department of Agriculture” o USDA) está proporcionando asistencia de emergencia a los productores de leche del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. El USDA tiene programado comenzar inscripciones el 21 de octubre de 2017.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2017 – In the wake of the 2017 hurricanes, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing emergency assistance to dairy operators in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. USDA is preparing for signup to begin Oct. 21, 2017.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced special procedures to assist producers who lost crops or livestock or had other damage to their farms or ranches as a result of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Also, because of the severe and widespread damage caused by the hurricanes, USDA will provide additional flexibility to assist farm loan borrowers.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses impacted Hurricane Irma that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices that stand ready and eager to help.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico), 17 de julio de 2017 – Jean Pierre Giuliani, Director Ejecutivo Estatal del USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA, por sus siglas en inglés) en Puerto Rico anunció hoy que agricultores y ganaderos radicados fuera del territorio continental de Estados Unidos podrán inscribirse para participar en el Programa de Pagos de Reembolso de Gastos para Agricultores y Ganaderos en Desventaja Geográfica (“Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers” o RTCP) del año fiscal 2017 a partir del 17 de julio de 2017 hasta el 8 de septiembre de 2017.
WASHINGTON, May 25, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Thursday, June 15, 2017.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the expansion of a unique service for farmers and ranchers. FSA’s Bridges to Opportunity program provides a one-stop-shop that connects producers with resources, programs and educational services offered across the department, as well as from other USDA partner organizations. Bridges to Opportunity, which currently provides enhanced customer support to more than 150,000 customers in 20 states, will expand to serve customers across the country before the end of the month using fiscal year 2016 funds.
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. 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.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico) Nov. 29, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Puerto Rico Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Giuliani, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico) July 25, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Puerto Rico Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Jean Pierre Giuliani, 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.
(San Juan, PR), June 30, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Puerto Rico 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.
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2016 – Today, during National Pollinator Week and in advance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) seventh annual Pollinator Week Festival, the USDA is announcing two initiatives in support of the President’s National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honeybees and Other Pollinators, announced just over one year ago. A review of USDA’s most popular conservation program found that farmers and ranchers across the country are creating at least 15 million acres of healthy forage and habitat for pollinators, and the department has also entered into a new partnership with leading honey bee organizations that will help to ensure future conservation projects continue to provide benefits to these important species.
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.
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.
(San Juan, PR) – May 25, 2016-- USDA Puerto Rico Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director, Jean P. Giuliani, reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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, 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.
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.
(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.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico), October 13, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director Jean P. Giuliani reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs.
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.
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.
WASHINGTON, el 2 de septiembre de 2015 - El Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA por sus siglas en inglés) ha designado 17 municipios en Puerto Rico como zonas primarias de desastre natural debido a los daños y las pérdidas ocasionadas por la sequía reciente.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 21, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Puerto Rico State Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Juan M. Ortiz Serbiá today reminded farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous United States that they have until Sept. 11, 2015, to enroll in the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) for fiscal year 2015. Applicants will have until Nov. 2, 2015, to provide supporting documentation.
WASHINGTON, el 19 de agosto de 2015 - El Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA por sus siglas en inglés) ha designado el municipio de Corozal en Puerto Rico como zona primaria de desastre natural debido a los daños y las pérdidas ocasionadas por la sequía reciente.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Corozal Municipality in Puerto Rico as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
WASHINGTON, August 12, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 13 counties in Puerto Rico as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
WASHINGTON, el 12 de agosto de 2015 - El Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA por sus siglas en inglés) ha designado a 13 municipios en Puerto Rico como zonas primarias de desastre natural debido a los daños y las pérdidas ocasionadas por la sequía reciente.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico,) July 28, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Puerto Rico Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Juan M. Ortiz Serbiá, 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.
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.
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Caguas, Gurabo, Juncos and San Lorenzo counties in Puerto Rico as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
WASHINGTON, el 15 de julio de 2015 - El Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA por sus siglas en inglés) ha designado los municipios de Caguas, Gurabo, Juncos y San Lorenzo en Puerto Rico como zonas primarias de desastre natural debido a los daños y las pérdidas ocasionadas por la sequía reciente.
WASHINGTON, July 10, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that over 98.2 percent of producers have met the 2014 Farm Bill requirement to certify conservation compliance to qualify for crop insurance premium support payments.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico), July 2, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Juan M. Ortiz-Serbiá reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico) -- June 30, 2015 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden 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.
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.
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.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico) - May 28, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Juan M. Ortiz Serbiá, today announced that producers who apply for FSA farm loans also will be offered the opportunity to enroll in new disaster loss protections created by the 2014 Farm Bill. The new coverage, available from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), is available to FSA loan applicants who grow non-insurable crops, so this is especially important to fruit and vegetable producers and other specialty crop growers.
(San Juan, Puerto Rico), 14 de mayo de 2015—Juan M. Ortiz Serbiá, Director Ejecutivo de Farm Service Agency del Departamento de Agricultura Federal (USDA), anunció hoy que el Departamento ha hecho disponible asistencia económica a los productores de cítricos elegibles de Puerto Rico para la remoción de árboles afectados con Huanglongbing (HLB, también conocido como enverdecimiento de los cítricos, “citrus greening”) y la replantación con árboles nuevos y sanos. El apoyo viene a través de del Programa de Asistencia de Árboles, (TAP, por sus siglas en inglés).
(San Juan, Puerto Rico), May 14, 2015-- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Juan M. Ortiz Serbiá today announced that the Department has made available financial assistance to eligible Puerto Rico’s citrus growers for the removal of trees afflicted with Huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening) and for replanting groves with new healthy stock. The support comes through USDA's Tree Assistance Program.
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.
WASHINGTON, March 24, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a proposed rule to limit farm payments to non-farmers, consistent with requirements Congress mandated in the 2014 Farm Bill. The proposed rule limits farm payments to individuals who may be designated as farm managers but are not actively engaged in farm management. In the Farm Bill, Congress gave USDA the authority to address this loophole for joint ventures and general partnerships, while exempting family farm operations from being impacted by the new rule USDA ultimately implements.
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, 21 de enero de 2015 — El Departamento de Agricultura Federal recuerda a los productores pecuarios que el 30 de enero de 2015, es la fecha límite para solicitar la asistencia por pérdidas sufridas desde el 1 de octubre de 2011 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2014.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack 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.