Thank a Farmer for Food, Fiber, Fuel, and Our Future

By Gene Schriefer, State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency; Eric Allness, Acting State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Pam Stahlke, Regional Office Director for USDA’s Risk Management Agency

March 22 is National Ag Day, a time for us to thank farmers and landowners for feeding, sheltering and powering our nation. We also want to celebrate and recognize the pivotal role of producers in mitigating climate change through voluntary conservation efforts.

USDA Issues First Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Payments

Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

Washington, D.C., June 4, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already approved more than $545 million in payments to producers who have applied for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. FSA began taking applications May 26, and the agency has received over 86,000 applications for this important relief program.

Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Natural Disasters - Wildfires that Occurred Jan. 14, 2022 and Continuing

Physical loss loans 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.

State: Texas

Triggering Disaster Event: Wildfires that occurred Jan. 14, 2022 and continuing.

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $3 million for grants through its new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. 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 midnight July 6, 2020. 

Deadline Approaching in Idaho for SBA Working Capital Loans Due to Drought

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today reminded small nonfarm businesses in seven Idaho counties and neighboring counties in Montana and Washington of the May 6, 2024, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury.