Stabilizing farm income, helping farmers conserve land and water resources, providing credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and helping farm operations recover from the effects of disaster are the missions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA). FSA was set up when the Department was reorganized in 1994; though its name has changed over the years, the Agency's relationship with farmers goes back to the 1930s. At that time, Congress set up a unique system under which Federal farm programs are administered locally. Farmers who are eligible to participate in these programs elect a three- to five-person county committee, which reviews county office operations and makes decisions on how to apply the programs. This grassroots approach gives farmers a much-needed say in how Federal actions affect their communities and their individual operations. After more than 60 years, it remains a cornerstone of FSA's efforts to preserve and promote American agriculture.
 Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) provides financial assistance to producers or entities that deliver eligible biomass material to designated biomass conversion facilities for use as heat, power, biobased products or biofuels. Initial assistance will be for the collection, harvest, storage and transportation costs associated with the delivery of eligible materials.
Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn has proclaimed his support for the twelfth biennial Governors Conference on the Management of the Illinois River System. The conference will take place in Peoria at the Hotel Père Marquette on Oct. 20-22, 2009. See additional information and proceedings of the past conferences
SAFE allows for individual states to offer special projects within CRP, Conservation Reserve Program, to address high priority wildlife needs through habitat restoration. Illinois currently has 4 SAFE areas designated: Illinois Grassland/Wetland Habitat Restoration in Prairie Landscapes-20,600 acres in parts of 33 different counties Mercer County upland Habitat Restoration Project includes 500 acres in Mercer County Sangamon County Northern Bobwhite Quail Conservation Initiative 2000 acres in Sangamon County Western Illinois Pheasant Habitat Restoration Project 1500 acres in parts of 8 counties CLICK HERETo view the FSA webpage regarding the SURE payment calculator. From this site, under the "Tools" section, you will be able to download the SURE payment calculator and view instructions for using the SURE payment calculator.
Contact your local FSA Office for additional information on these and other USDA benefits.
USDA-Illinois State Farm Service Agency 3500 Wabash Ave. P.O. Box 19273 Springfield, Illinois 62711
Phone: (217) 241-6600 Ext.2 Fax: (217) 241-6619
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