USDA Announces Additional Assistance for Dairy Farmers

WASHINGTON, January 23, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the details of additional assistance for dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The update to PMVAP and the new ODMAP will enable USDA to better support small- and medium-sized dairy operations who weathered the pandemic and now face other challenges. 

Financial Assistance Application Process Opens for USDA Farm Loan Borrowers Who Have Faced Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently opened the financial assistance application process for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) directs USDA to provide this assistance. Since the law’s passage, USDA has worked diligently to design the program in accordance with significant stakeholder input. 

USDA Reminds Producers of Continuous Certification Option for Perennial Forage

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers with perennial forage crops of an option to report their acreage once, without having to report that acreage in subsequent years, as long as there are no applicable changes on the farm. Interested producers can select the continuous certification option after USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) certifies their acreage report.

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Kentucky Producers Affected by Natural Disasters

Physical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay. 

Impacted Area: Kentucky

USDA Offers Disaster Program Flexibilities for Flood-Impacted Producers in the Northeast

Bangor, ME Aug. 15, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) have authorized policy flexibilities for key disaster assistance programs and crop insurance to aid Northeast agricultural operations that have been significantly impacted by recent flooding in 2023.   

USDA Updates Form Requirement for Conservation Program Eligibility Determination

USDA Updates Form Requirement for Conservation Program Eligibility Determination

Producers and landowners participating or applying for certain NRCS conservation programs must complete form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is informing producers and landowners that they must have form CCC-902, the Farm Operating Plan form on file with USDA and receive a determination of eligibility if they are participating or applying to participate in certain NRCS conservation programs.

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 27, 2023.

Planning Projects