COLCHESTER, Vt., November 1, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Vermont announced payments are now available to eligible producers who lost stored commodities due to natural disaster in 2018 or 2019. The On-Farm Storage Loss Program (OFSLP) was authorized by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019.
WASHINGTON, October 28, 2019 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on November 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2019 – Agricultural producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs – for the 2020 crop year. Meanwhile, producers who enrolled farms for the 2018 crop year have started receiving more than $1.5 billion for covered commodities for which payments were triggered under such programs.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2019 – Dairy producers can now enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for calendar year 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened signup today for the program that helps producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today extended the deadline to September 27 for dairy producers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2019. The deadline had been September 20.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2019 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 10 Vermont counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Orange, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor counties who suffered losses due to excessive rain and prolonged, cool temperatures that have occurred since April 1, 2019, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.
WASHINGTON, July 29, 2019 – Signup opens today for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program to assist farmers who continue to suffer from damages because of unjustified trade retaliation from foreign nations. Through MFP, USDA will provide up to $14.5 billion in direct payments to impacted producers, part of a broader trade relief package announced in late July. The sign-up period runs through Dec. 6.
COLCHESTER, Vt., July 12, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that they must file accurate and timely crop acreage reports for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage, to prevent the potential loss of FSA program benefits.
Colchester, VT, June 28, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is extending the prevented plant crop reporting deadline for Vermont producers affected by spring flooding and excessive moisture.
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2019 — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announces that signup begins June 17 for the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, the cornerstone program of the dairy safety net that helps dairy producers manage the volatility of milk and feed prices, operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Washington, D.C., May 8, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the March 2019 income over feed cost margin was $8.85 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the third payment for dairy producers who purchase the appropriate level of coverage under the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.
Washington, D.C., May 7, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for fiscal 2019 funding are due Oct. 31, 2019.
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2019 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today the availability of a new web-based tool – developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin – to help dairy producers evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.
Washington, D.C., September 5, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of certain commodities can now sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), while USDA will also begin to purchase identified commodities under a food purchase and distribution program. Additionally, USDA has begun accepting proposals for the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP), which will help American farmers find and access new markets for their products. In total, USDA will authorize up to $12 billion in programs, consistent with World Trade Organization obligations.
Colchester, Vt. August 1, 2018 – Vermont agricultural producers who lost property due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) physical loss loans. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers these low-interest loans for losses caused by two separate disaster events. Approval is limited to applicants who suffered severe physical losses, including the loss of buildings and livestock.
COLCHESTER, Vt. – July 11, 2018- Do you have an interest in supporting Vermont’s agricultural community and economy? The USDA Farm Service Agency in Vermont has three immediate job openings throughout the state. The three openings include two positions for Farm Loan Officer Trainees and a Program Technician. All positions require a degree or equivalent experience in a financial or customer service setting. Agricultural study or experience is preferred but not required. These positions are permanent, full time positions with benefits. All interested persons should apply at www.USAjobs.gov before July 18.
WASHINGTON, May 25, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds dairy farmers of the June 1 deadline to enroll in the improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). Many producers will see payments in early June, depending on the coverage they elect.
COLCHESTER, Vt. -- Dec. 26, 2017- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Grafton County in New Hampshire as a primary natural disaster area due to losses and damages caused by early season, excessive moisture and unseasonably cool temperatures that occurred from May 1 through Sept. 10, 2017.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2017 – Through the work of dedicated staff in over 2,100 county and state offices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides vital farm safety-net assistance to agricultural producers across America.
COLCHESTER, Vt. -- Nov. 21, 2017- The Trump Administration recently appointed Wendy Wilton as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Vermont Farm Service Agency (FSA). Wilton will join the Vermont FSA team on Monday, Nov. 27.
Colchester, Vermont, October 12, 2016 – USDA Vermont Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Robert Paquin announced that approximately 1,939 Vermont farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2015 crop year. The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues due to market downturns.
St. Albans, Vermont, September 27, 2016 –Franklin/Grand Isle County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting County Executive Director, Paul Remillard announced that his office is approved to accept applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damage to farmland, notably maple orchards, from high winds that occurred on July 22, 2016 in Franklin County. ECP sign-up will begin on October 1, 2016, and end on October 31, 2016.
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.
Colchester, VT, July 26, 2016 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Vermont Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Robert Paquin 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.
Colchester, VT, July 14, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Vermont today announced that dairy producers can enroll for 2017 coverage in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) now. 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.
Colchester, VT, 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.