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United States Department of Agriculture
 Farm Service Agency
United States Department of Agriculture
 Farm Service Agency
New Jersey
New Jersey

New Jersey

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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.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program signup deadline was 9/11/2020. 
In some limited cases, you may still be able to file an application. 
For more information, please contact your local FSA offices.

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.

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Eligibility Documentation Needed for Participating with Farm Service Agency

  1. 4 Easy Steps to Get Started with FSA (Summary)
  2. CCC-901 – Identifies members of a farm or ranch that is a legal entity. Member Information will be completed by legal entities and joint operations to collect the following:
    • member names, addresses, and Tax Identification Numbers
    • citizenship status
  3. CCC-941 – Reports your average adjusted gross income for programs where income restrictions apply. Forms CCC-941 and CCC-942 (if applicable) used for certifying average AGI and Farm AGI are required to be filed by the applicant. The individual or a legal entity applying must provide information on all members, stockholders, or partners at or above the fourth level of ownership in the business structure.
  4. CCC-942 – If applicable, this certification reports income from farming, ranching, or forestry-related activities for those exceeding the adjusted gross income limitation. Forms CCC-941 and CCC-942 (if applicable) used for certifying average AGI and Farm AGI are required to be filed by the applicant. The individual or a legal entity applying must provide information on all members, stockholders, or partners at or above the fourth level of ownership in the business structure.
  5. AD-1026 (Also Available in Spanish) – Ensures compliance with highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation.
  6. AD-2047 – Provides basic customer contact information.
  7. SF-3881 – Collects your banking information to allow USDA to make payments to you via direct deposit. 
  8. Payment Eligibility and Payment Limitation Fact Sheet
  9. In addition our staff will work with you to complete portions of the CCC-902 – Farm Operating Plan – if necessary. 

Documents are also available at the USDA eForms website and farmers.gov/CFAP/apply 

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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) 

  • Columbus Service Center, Columbus*, NJ – 609-267-1639
  • Freehold Service Center, Freehold, NJ- 732-462-0075
  • Frenchtown Service Center, Frenchtown, NJ- 908-782-4614
  • Hackettstown Service Center, Hackettstown*, NJ- 908-852-2576
  • Vineland Service Center, Vineland*, NJ- 856-205-1225
  • Woodstown Service Center, Woodstown, NJ- 856-769-1126

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Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections

FSA State Executive DirectorClick 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:

Important Election Dates

June 15, 2020

The nomination period begins. Request nomination forms from your local USDA Service Center or download from this site.

Aug. 1, 2020

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.

Nov. 2, 2020

Ballots mailed to eligible voters.

Dec. 7, 2020

Last day to return voted ballots to the USDA Service Center.

Jan. 1, 2021

Newly elected county committee members take office.

Click below to access your Service Center election information:     

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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. 

FSA Hemp Deadlines
  • 3/15 – Deadline to purchase coverage under the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
  • 6/15 – Final plant date, applicable to NAP and Crop Insurance
  • 8/15 – Acreage reporting deadline

Click on the links below for additional information:

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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 informatPumpkin Damageion 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:

Crop Damage

Property Damage

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.

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Disaster Designations

Farmers in the following counties are eligible for Emergency Loans through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

  • Secretarial Disaster Designation #S4748 is due to losses caused by Freeze and Frost
    • Incident Period of April 6, 2020 - May 15, 2020
    • Primary County New Jersey: Sussex, Warren, Morris, Salem, Gloucester
    • Contiguous Counties in New Jersey: Hunterdon, Somerset, Cumberland,
      Camden, Atlantic, Passaic, Essex, Union. Pennsylvania Counties:Bucks, Delaware,
      Philadelphia, Monroe, Northampton, Pike. 2 Delaware Counties: Kent, New Castle. New York Counties: Orange. 
    • Application Deadline: close of business April 28, 2021

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. 

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About New Jersey Agriculture!

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.

About New Jersey FSA

The Farm Service Agency is a safety outlet for producers. It helps ensure:

  • The well-being of American Agriculture, the environment, and the American People though efficient and equitable administration of farm commodity programs;
  • Farm ownership, operating, and emergency loans;
  • Conservation and environmental programs;
  • Emergency and disaster assistance;
  • Domestic and international food assistance and international export credit programs.

Our Goals are to:

  • Stabilize Farm Income
  • Help Farmers Conserve Land and Water Resources
  • Provide Credit to New or Disadvantaged Farmers
  • Help Farm Operations Recover From the Effects of Disaster

FSA has six regional county offices. Click here to find your office.

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Double-Cropping

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.

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New Jersey Accomplishments

See how the Farm Service Agency has benefited New Jersey Agriculture!

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Resources for Small & Mid-Size Farmers

Contact...

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

Your State Committee
  • Linda A. DuBois (Committee Chair) - Pittsgrove
  • Kurt W. Alstede - Chester
  • Samuel G. Conard - Hillsborough
  • Martin J. Bullock - Cream Ridge
  • Sean Gertner - Jackson

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