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Coronavirus and USDA Assistance for Farmers

We are committed to delivering USDA programs and services to America’s farmers and ranchers while taking safety measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak. USDA employees continue to assist agricultural producers with disaster assistance, conservation, safety net, and farm loan programs and services like conservation planning and acreage reporting while supporting flexibilities for producers and implementing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act.

Updated Service Center Status and Continued Service

All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including those that restrict in-person visits or require appointments. Service Center staff from FSA and NRCS will continue to work with producers via phone, email, and other digital tools like Microsoft Teams, Box, and OneSpan.

USDA is using a phased, data-driven approach to determine which Service Centers are open for in-person appointments. Please check the status of your local USDA Service Center at farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status.

All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment.

USDA will continue using Microsoft Teams to enable producers to meet with USDA Service Center staff virtually. Download step-by-step instructions for getting started via desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

Through Box and OneSpan, USDA now offers services that make it easier than ever for producers working with our Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service to conveniently access, sign, and share documents online. These tools do not require any software downloads – you can get started with a simple username and password for Box or, for OneSpan, a quick identity verification. Learn more at farmers.gov/mydocs.

Field work, including conservation planning assistance, still continues with appropriate social distancing.

 

Updates on USDA Program Flexibilities and the CARES Act

USDA's Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency offer resources to support producers impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

USDA flexibilities and programs for farmers and ranchers include:




U.S. Small Business Administration Programs for Farmers

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers multiple programs available to agricultural producers whose operations have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The new Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act provides additional resources for both the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.

Participation in SBA’s PPP or EIDL program does not impact producer eligibility for USDA’s forthcoming  Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). There is no linkage among these programs. Likewise, participation in SBA’s PPP or EIDL program does not impact producer eligibility for any USDA farm program. The PPP duplicate benefit provision does not have an impact on FSA farm programs or farm loan programs.


Resources for Conducting Business Online

A suite of online services are available for conducting business with USDA, including our new Box and OneSpan functionality that enable customers to sign and share FSA and NRCS documents with USDA Service Center staff in just a few clicks. Producers can get started with a simple username and password for Box or, for OneSpan, a quick identity verification.  

Additional services are available to customers with an eAuthentication account, which provides access to the farmers.gov portal, and FSAfarm+. Customers who do not already have an eAuthentication account can enroll by selecting the “Sign In | Sign Up” option at the top of the page. This provides step-by-step instructions for creating an account.

    Farmers.gov Portal

    With eAuthentication access, through the farmers.gov portal, you can:

    FSA Websites

    • Request Loan Deficiency Payments through eLDP;
    • Choose a payment option, assign crop shares, and sign and submit ARC/PLC contracts online, as well as view and print submitted contracts; and
    • View your FSA data on FSAfarm+, including farm records data and maps.

    News & Resources


    Find Your Local Service Center

    We are committed to delivering USDA services to America’s farmers and ranchers while taking safety measures in response to COVID-19. While employees continue to staff our Service Centers, some are only available for phone appointments at this time. You can learn the status of your service center through this tool. Learn more at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.

    Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office or to find an insurance agent near you.