Program Contacts

Public Relations/Outreach
Voice: (334) 279-3502
Fax: (855) 747-0599
Cassondra Searight, Public Affairs Specialist

Conservation/Price Support
Voice: (334) 279-3523
Fax: (855) 747-0599
Shnequie Bowman-Greene, Key Agricultural Program Specialist
Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Agricultural Program Specialist
Wanda Bowden, Agricultural Program Specialist

Production Adjustment/Compliance
Voice: (334) 279-3523
Fax: (855) 747-0599
Rita Brown, Chief Agricultural Program Specialist
Sydney Griffin, Agricultural Program Specialist
Kathy Patterson, Agricultural Program Specialist 
Shawn Gable, Agricultural Program Technology (GIS) Specialist

Farm Loan Programs
Voice: (334) 279-3434
Fax: (855) 747-0599
Nicole Cleggs-Burns, Farm Loan Chief
James Jackson, Farm Loan Specialist
Kathy Guerin, Farm Loan Analyst

Administrative Voice: (334) 279-3504
Fax: (855) 747-0599
Ginger Rider, Administrative Officer
Patricia Epps, Administrative Specialist
Debra Jenkins, Administrative Specialist
Valerie Moses, Administrative Specialist

State Executive Director Voice: (334) 279-3501
Blair Williams, Executive Secretary

Information Management Voice: (334) 279-3527
Tammy Jones, Management Information Systems (eGOV) Coordinator

Farm Programs

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
CRP is the USDA's single-largest, most effective environmental program. Producers enroll in CRP and plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve water quality, control soil erosion and enhance habitats for waterfowl and wildlife. In return, USDA provides producers with annual rental payments. CRP contract duration is from 10 to 15 years.

• SAFE Fact Sheet

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance to help farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and to help put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought.

Emergency Forestry Restoration Program (EFRP)
EFRP provides payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land in order to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster.

Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
BCAP provides financial assistance to owners and operators of agricultural and non-industrial private forestland who wish to establish, produce, and deliver biomass feed stocks.

The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
GRP is a voluntary conservation program that emphasizes support for working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity and protection of grassland under threat of conversion to other uses.

Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP)
NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting. Eligible crops include commercial crops and other agricultural commodities produced for food or fiber for which the catastrophic level of crop insurance is not available.

The Livestock Forage Program (LFP)
LFP provides financial assistance to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or is planted specifically for grazing. The grazing losses must be due to a qualifying drought condition during the normal grazing period for the county. LFP also provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses on rangeland managed by a federal agency if the eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire.

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides financial assistance to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather. In addition, LIP covers attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators.

Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP)
ELAP provides emergency relief to producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish. Covers losses from disaster such as adverse weather or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary, not adequately covered by any other disaster program.

Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.

Farm Storage Facility Loans
FSA may make loans to build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities. The maximum term is 7 years, 10 years and 12 years.

Marketing Assistance Loans
Marketing assistance loans provided producers interim financing at harvest to meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at harvest-time lows.

Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy)
The MPP-Dairy is a voluntary risk management program that offers production to diary producers when the difference between the all milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer.

Farm Loan Programs

FSA makes and guarantees loans to farmers who are temporarily unable to obtain private commercial credit. Under the guaranteed loan program, FSA guarantees loans made by commercial agricultural lenders up to 95 percent of any loss.

Farm Ownership Loans
Farm ownership loan funds may be used to purchase a farm, enlarge an existing farm, construct new farm buildings and/or improve structures, pay closing costs, and promote soil and water conservation and protection. In FY 2014, Alabama loans exceeded $59.1 million.

Farm Operating Loans
Farm operating loans may be used for normal operating expenses, machinery and equipment, real estate repairs, and refinancing debt. In FY 2014, Alabama loans exceeded $20.8 million.

Microloans
Microloans are direct farm operating loans with a shortened application process and reduced paperwork designed to meet the needs of smaller, non-traditional, and niche type operations. Apprentice and mentorship programs, non-farm business experience, and farm labor experience are acceptable alternative solutions for helping to meet farm experience and managerial requirements. In FY 2014, Alabama loans exceeded $5.6 million.

Socially Disadvantaged Loans
The Agency targets a portion of its loan funds to minorities and women farmers and ranchers. These targeted funds are not a program type; rather it distinguishes a specific funding source, which is known as Socially Disadvantaged Applicants (SDA). SDA’s include women, African-Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Hispanics, Asians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The loan process and all loan requirements are identical for SDA applicants to those for non-SDA applicants. In FY 2014, Alabama loans exceeded $26.1 million