USDA Extends Application Deadline for Organic Pandemic Program Assistance

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2021— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021 eligible expenses is now Feb. 4, 2022, rather than the original deadline of Jan. 7, 2022.  

Biden Administration Appoints Sherry Hamel to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Maine

Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2022— The Biden Administration recently appointed Sherry Hamel as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Maine Farm Service Agency (FSA). Hamel joined the Maine FSA team on Jan. 3, 2022.

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Iowa Farmers and Livestock Producers Impacted by Derecho

DES MOINES, IA, Aug. 25, 2020 – Iowa agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the Derecho, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. As agricultural producers move into recovery mode and assess damages, they should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages.

Biden Administration Appoints Matt Gellings to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Idaho

Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2022— The Biden Administration recently appointed Matt Gellings as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Idaho Farm Service Agency (FSA). Gellings joined the Idaho FSA team on Jan. 18, 2022.