Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2
Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? USDA is implementing Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.
Farm Service Agency will accept CFAP 2 applications from September 21 through December 11, 2020.
A call center will be available for producers who would like additional one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process. Please call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. To find the latest information on CFAP 2, including forms and the contact information for your local Service Center, visit farmers.gov/CFAP.
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19.
On May 26th, FSA began accepting applications for CFAP. To find the latest information on CFAP, including forms and the contact information for your local Service Center, visit farmers.gov/CFAP.
Click here for a complete list of currently eligible specialty crops https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/specialty
Are you considering participating in an Farm Service Agency program?
Farmers that do not have records and eligibility documentation on file with FSA are encouraged to complete the required documents in preparation for program sign up and to reduce delays in receiving program benefits. Please direct any questions to you local county office.
Eligibility Documentation Needed for Participating with Farm Service Agency
Documents are also available at the USDA eForms website and farmers.gov/CFAP/apply
Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers
USDA Service Centers in New Jersey will continue to be open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with our producers by phone, and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. In the event a Service Center is not currently available to serve customers on location, producers can receive assistance from the closest alternate Service Center by phone. Learn more at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
New Jersey Service Center Phone Numbers
Dial extension 2 for FSA, 3 for NRCS, and 4 for RD (*where available)
Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections
Click here for a special election message from New Jersey State Executive Director, Barry Calogero |
County committees are unique to FSA and serve as a direct link between agricultural communities across the country and USDA. Committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Their input is vital on how FSA
carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.
Throughout the nomination period, we’ll introduce you to county committee members from around the nation. To see their stories and to learn more on FSA county committees, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Fact Sheets:
County Committee Elections - 2020 (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office as a County Committee Member-2020 (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
The nomination period begins. Request nomination forms from your local USDA Service Center or download from this site.
Last day to file nomination forms at the local USDA Service Center.
Since Aug. 1 falls on a weekend this year, nomination forms will be accepted through Aug. 3, 2020.
Ballots mailed to eligible voters.
Last day to return voted ballots to the USDA Service Center.
Newly elected county committee members take office.
Click below to access your Service Center election information:
The 2018 Farm Bill reclassified hemp, and it is now legal to grow industrial hemp. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a rule that outlines how states and tribes can submit plans that will enable producers to grow hemp in those areas.
Click on the links below for additional information:
Please reach out your local FSA office if you or anyone you know has experienced crop or farm property damage as a result of recent weather events. This information is vital for emergency declarations which make additional assistance available to you and your peers.
Farm Service Agency has programs to assist with fruit trees, berry bushes, ornamental, and vine losses as well as losses of livestock, honeybees, and farm raised fish. These programs are not insurance programs and do not require purchasing coverage prior to the weather event or disaster (excludes NAP). Click on the links below for information on some of our programs:
If you have crop coverage under the Non Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and feel that the weather has affected your covered crop
please make sure you contact your local FSA office immediately (within 72 hours). If you would like to sign up for NAP contact your local FSA office for details.
Farmers in the following counties are eligible for Emergency Loans through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Please contact your local County Office for more information or visit our Emergency Loan website at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index or read the Disaster Designations Fact Sheet by clicking here.
New Jersey, known as the Garden State, has a vast diversity of landscapes and is a unique combination of densely populated urban centers and open agricultural areas. For a small state, agriculture in New Jersey is quite significant with more than 100 crops being produced. Despite legislative and public pressures, high input costs, and the second highest per-acre market value of farmland in the nation, 16% of New Jersey land is dedicated to agriculture production and the ag industry contributes $987 million to the state’s economy.
The Garden State is 3rd in the nation for producing Cranberries, Peaches and Spinach; 4th in Bell Pepper production; 6th in Blueberries, Cucumbers, and Squash; and 7th in Tomatoes. Other major commodities are nursery, berries, equine and aquaculture.
Check out the video below to find out more about Morris Gbolo of World Crops Farms who take advantage of FSA Loans and Programs to help keep the garden in the Garden State.
The Farm Service Agency is a safety outlet for producers. It helps ensure:
Our Goals are to:
FSA has six regional county offices. Click here to find your office.
Each year, state committees will review and approve or disapprove county committee recommended changes or additions to specific combinations of crops.
Double-cropping is approved when the two specific crops have the capability to be planted and carried to maturity for the intended use, as reported by the producer, on the same acreage within a crop year under normal growing conditions. The specific combination of crops recommended by the county committee must be approved by the state committee.
Double-cropping is approved in New Jersey on a county-by-county basis. Click here to see the 2020 Approved Double Cropping Combination list or contact your local FSA Office for a list of approved double-cropping combinations for your county.
A crop following a cover crop terminated according to termination guidelines is approved double cropping and these combinations do not have to be approved by the state committee.
See how the Farm Service Agency has benefited New Jersey Agriculture!
Resources for Small & Mid-Size Farmers
Barry Calogero (Biography)
State Executive Director
Farm Service Agency NJ State Office
300 Clocktower Drive, Suite 202
Hamilton Square, NJ 08690
Phone: (609) 587-0104
Fax: Administrative: (855) 305-6635
Programs: (855) 305-6513