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West Virginia State Office

State Executive Director

John D. Perdue

John D. Perdue

Read John D. Perdue'

State Office Address

1550 Earl L Core Rd.
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 284-4800
(855) 854-3076

Welcome to West Virginia Farm Service Agency

Our primary mission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is to assist West Virginia farmers and ranchers secure the greatest possible benefit from programs administered by FSA such as farm loans, commodity price support, disaster relief, conservation, or other available resources. The hard-working men and women of West Virginia's 23 FSA offices are at the forefront of our efforts and remain the primary contact for program participation. We encourage you to speak with the staff at your local FSA office on how we can be of service. Visit farmers.gov for important national updates and resources. The state website features the monthly newsletter, online data resources, and can help you locate your local FSA Service Center. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you.

Best Wishes,
John Perdue
State Executive Director


Notice of Availability

Implementation of the Conservation Reserve Program

Draft Environmental Assessment

U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (FSA) announces they will be completing an Environmental Assessment for the Implementation of the Conservation Reserve Program encompassing the entire state of West Virginia. The primary objective of the activity is to implement long-term conservation measures designed to improve the quality of ground and surface waters, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat on environmentally sensitive agricultural land.

FSA is accepting comments on the potential effects of the proposed project on protected resources and the human environment through March 31, 2024. Information regarding this project can be reviewed either online by Clicking Here or in Person at the West Virginia Farm Service Agency at 1550 Earl L. Core Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. Comments should be submitted to State Environmental Coordinator Josh Lewis, 1550 Earl L. Core Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, or by email to josh.lewis@usda.gov



Beginning Farmer & Rancher Resources

Are you interested in getting started into farming and need assistance that connects farm entrepreneurs with programs, services and resources available?

Check out USDA's New and Beginning Farmers Website.

The site features advice and guidance on everything a new farm business owner needs to know, from writing a business plan, to obtaining a loan to grow their business, to filing taxes as a new small business owner, starting or expanding an operation, developing new markets, supporting more effective farming and conservation practices, and having access to relevant training and education opportunities. By answering a series of questions about their operation, farmers can use the site’s Discovery Tool to build a personalized set of recommendations of USDA programs and services that may meet their needs.

To learn more about USDA's New and Beginning Farmers website, visit www.usda.gov/newfarmers

West Virginia's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator is Matt Taylor. Matt.Taylor@usda.gov



Are you interested in a Farm Loan through USDA Farm Service Agency?

Farming is a business, and just like other business owners, farmers need access to financial resources (i.e., capital) to grow and build their enterprises. FSA Direct Farm Operating Loans support established, underserved, and beginning farmers by providing short-term financing to cover annual operating expenses. FSA Guaranteed Farm Operating Loans help farmers obtain more affordable financing from a bank or other lending institution by providing the commercial lender a government guarantee.  FSA Microloans are tailored to the smaller-scale operations of beginning farmers and farmers serving local and regional food markets – including urban and small-scale diversified farmers.

FSA offers loans to help farmers get the financing they need to start, expand or maintain a family farm.  FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers. USDA defines underserved applicants as a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For farm loan program purposes, targeted underserved groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics and Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Check out FSA's Guide to Farm Loans.  This guidebook simplifies information on the types of farm loans available; how to apply for a guaranteed loan, direct loan, or land contract guarantee; what you can expect once you submit your application; and most importantly, your rights and responsibilities as an FSA customer. 

Visit our  Farm Loan Discovery Tool  to find the loan that’s right for you. FSA launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.  Farmers can also access the Loan Assistance Tool by visiting farmers.gov/farm-loan-assistance-tool and clicking the ‘Get Started’ button. From here they can follow the prompts to complete the Eligibility Self-Assessment and start the farm loan journey.

Visit our Farm Loan page, to learn more about our types of loans.

Farm Loan Current Interest Rates

 

Sign-up to receive free electronic news from your FSA County Office

FSA provides electronic news on programs direct to your email inbox.  It can help you remember important program announcements, deadlines and requirements so you can effectively utilize FSA programs in your farm operation.  In addition to the newsletter, you also can sign up to receive information through our Farmers.gov text messaging service from your County FSA office.  Our offices will only issue text messages to remind subscribers of timely, important program deadlines or other information. 

Visit farmers.gov/subscribe to sign-up and receive email and text message alerts from your West Virginia County FSA office.  



West Virginia FSA Program Key Dates

USDA in West Virginia reminds agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency (FSA) program dates. Contact your local service center to apply and with any questions. Visit online at farmers.gov and fsa.usda.gov/wv.

    • January 30 ---- Deadline to file a notice of loss and application for payment for ELAP. The 30-calendar-day (livestock and farm-raised fish) and 15-calendar-day (honeybees) timeframes to submit a notice of loss from the date the loss is apparent for the 2023 and subsequent program years, has been waived.  The new deadline for filing a notice of loss under ELAP will be the same as the final date to submit an application for payment, which is 30 calendar days following the program year of which the loss occurred.
    • January 30 ---- Deadline for the 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) Application and all supporting documentation.
    • January 31 ---- Final loan and LDP availability for 2023 LDPs for wool and unshorn lamb pelts.
    • February 29 --- Deadline to file a notice of loss and application for payment for LIP. The 30-calendar-day timeframe to submit a notice of loss from the date the loss is apparent for the 2023 and subsequent program years has been waived.  The new deadline for filing a notice of loss under LIP will be the same as the final date to submit an application for payment, which is 60 calendar days after the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred. 
        
    • March 1 --- Primary Nesting Season begins.
       
    • March 15 - Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) election and enrollment application deadline for 2024 crop season.
        
    • March 15 - Deadline to obtain 2024 NAP coverage on spring planted crops.
    • March 15-Deadline to apply for NAP Forage Program for hay crops
        
    • March 15 - Deadline to purchase NAP coverage for hemp. NAP will be available for 2024 to provide insurance-type coverage due to adverse weather conditions. NAP provides coverage against loss for hemp grown for fiber, grain, seed, or cannabidiol (CBD) for the 2024 crop year where no permanent federal crop insurance program is available.
        
    • March 31 - Final Availability for 2023 crop wheat, barley, oats, honey loans and LDPs.

    For more information, contact your local FSA office and/or visit www.farmers.gov.