Getting Started
Are you new to farming or ranching? Or new to working with FSA?
Are you new to farming or ranching? Or new to working with FSA?
We can help you get started or grow your farming operation through a variety of programs and services:
- Use the Program Finder to explore loans and other financial assistance
- Our Loan Assistance Tool is a step-by-step guide to choosing a loan
- The Outreach and Education Office provides many ways to begin your journey
- Meet in person at your FSA Location
National Deadlines
- Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Ranking Date
- Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program
USDA to Issue More than $235 Million to Farmers Hit by Natural Disasters, Including Hurricane Milton
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing payments this week to agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and about $92 million for livestock producers, nationwide, who faced increased supplemental feed costs as a result of forage losses due to 2022 qualifying drought and wildfire. The payments for Milton-impacted Florida producers are for those who have Federal crop insurance coverage through the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement and the Tropical Storm (TS) option. These crop insurance payments are part of USDA’s broader support to help producers after Hurricane Milton. The payments for livestock producers are through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2022, and are a second round of payments to producers using remaining funds in the program.