Alaska State Office

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Welcome to the Alaska Farm Service Agency Website

Our primary mission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is to assist Alaska farmers and ranchers secure the greatest possible benefit from programs administered by FSA such as farm loans, commodity price support, disaster relief, conservation, reimbursable transportation cost payment program (RTCP) or other available resources. The hard-working men and women of Alaska’s FSA county 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. Our user friendly web site can help you learn more about FSA programs and services.

Alaska State Executive Director

Amy Pettit, amy.pettit@usda.gov

907-761-7750

Cell 907-419-0137

Alaska State Committee

Committee Chair Kelli Foreman - Kodiak

Anne Corinne Kell - Palmer

Christine St. Pierre - Fairbanks

Deadline Extended to Sept. 29 for USDA’s Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program 

Program Helps Offset Transporting Costs for Farmers and Livestock Producers Outside the Contiguous U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline to Sept. 29 for enrollment in the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP). The deadline for producers to provide supporting documentation is Nov. 3, 2023. 

RTCP helps U.S. farmers and ranchers outside the 48 contiguous states who are at a competitive disadvantage when transporting agricultural products to market by offsetting a portion of the cost of transporting agricultural products over long distances.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 authorized $4 million for RTCP and allows farmers and livestock producers in Alaska, Hawaii and insular areas including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands of the United States, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau, to recover costs to transport agricultural commodities or inputs used to produce an agricultural commodity. Nearly $3 million was issued to almost 1,100 producers through the 2022 Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment program.  

RTCP payments are calculated based on the costs incurred for transportation of agricultural commodities or inputs during a 12-month period, subject to an $8,000 per producer cap per fiscal year. If claims for payments exceed the funds available from the program for a fiscal year, payments will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. 

Farmers and livestock producers interested in participating in RTCP can obtain applications and other documents by calling toll-free 1-866-794-1079.  

To find their local FSA county office, producers can visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.

Application Packets Available at the following link:

RTCP Producer Packets

Please join us for virtual open office hours every Tuesday at 4PM and Thursday at 8AM. We will discuss the ins and outs of RTCP and how to participate. Come with any questions you may have concerning the RTCP Program and our staff will be happy to help!

You can join by clicking the following links:

Tuesdays at 4PM

Thursdays at 8AM

Inflation Reduction Act Section 22007 – Discrimination Financial Assistance Program

The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program is a new program, authorized by Section 22007(e) of the Inflation Reduction Act, that will provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to 2021.

Details about the program, including an application and e-filing portal, are available at 22007apply.gov. Applicants can also call the free call center at 1-800-721-0970

Filing an application is FREE and does not require a lawyer. The application period is open and runs through October 31, 2023.

USDA Encourages Producers to Consider NAP Risk Protection Coverage Before Crop Sales Deadlines

The Farm Service Agency encourages producers to examine available USDA crop risk protection options, including federal crop insurance and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage, before the applicable crop sales deadline.

Producers are reminded that crops not covered by insurance may be eligible for NAP. Beginning, underserved and limited resource farmers are now eligible for free catastrophic level coverage.

Federal crop insurance covers crop losses from natural adversities such as drought, hail and excessive moisture. NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including perennial grass forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass, ginseng, honey, syrup, bioenergy, and industrial crops.

Producers can determine if crops are eligible for federal crop insurance or NAP by visiting https://webapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/ActuarialInformationBrowser2018/CropCriteria.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

The 2018 Farm Bill reinstates higher levels of coverage, from 50 to 65 percent of expected production in 5 percent increments, at 100 percent of the average market price. Producers of organics and crops marketed directly to consumers also may exercise the “buy-up” option to obtain NAP coverage of 100 percent of the average market price at the coverage levels of between 50 and 65 percent of expected production. NAP basic coverage is available at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production.

For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties.

For Alaska, 2023 Spring deadlines for crop year 2024 coverage:

The following crops in Alaska have a NAP application deadline of March 15, 2024:

Spring planted annual crops (vegetables)

Deadlines for coverage vary by state and crop. To learn more about NAP visit www.fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local USDA Service Center. To find your local USDA Service Centers go to http://offices.usda.gov.

For Alaska, 2023 Fall deadlines for crop year 2024 coverage:

The following crops in Alaska have a NAP application deadline of September 01, 2023: Floriculture (Peonies), Aquaculture, Turf Grass

The following crops in Alaska have a NAP application deadline of September 30, 2023: Perennial Grass Forage (Perennial Grasses intended use seed), Honey

Deadlines for coverage vary by state and crop. To learn more about NAP visit www.fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local USDA Service Center. To find your local USDA Service Centers go to http://offices.usda.gov.

Federal crop insurance coverage is sold and delivered solely through private insurance agents. Agent lists are available at all USDA Service Centers or at USDA’s online Agent Locator: http://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/AgentLocator/#. Producers can use the USDA Cost Estimator, https://ewebapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/costestimator/Default.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery, to predict insurance premium costs.

Alaska County Office Committee Structure

The three-member Northern and Southern County Farm Service Agency committees will meet as announced. A notice will be posted in the monthly State newsletter announcing the next scheduled meeting.

Northern Committee members

Rebecca Hammond, Chair LAA-1
Steven Helkenn, LAA-2
Matthew Bates, LAA-3

Southern Committee members

Rita Jo Shoultz, LAA-1
Abby Ala, LAA-2
Janet Dinwiddie, Chair LAA-3

Elected county committee members serve a three-year term and are responsible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity, and price support programs, as well as other important federal farm program issues.

County committee members are a valuable asset because they are comprised of local producers who participate in FSA programs themselves and have a direct connection to farmers and ranchers in the community.

For more information about county committees, please contact the Northern County FSA office at 907-895-4242 and the Southern County FSA office at 907-761-7773 or visit fsa.usda.gov/elections

SIGN UP NOW: INSTANT ELECTRONIC BULLETINS

GovDelivery is a free email service that enables FSA County Offices to send you bulletins, deadline reminders and newsletters instantly. Sign up now to receive information faster and reduce printing and mailing costs. Sign up HERE.

Subscribers Can Receive Important Program Reminders and Updates

Farmers and ranchers in Alaska now can receive notifications from their county office through text messages on their cell phone.

Whether producers are in the field, on a tractor or even on horseback, this service enables FSA customers and stakeholders to receive notifications while on the go. Producers will receive text messages regarding important program deadlines, reporting requirements, outreach events and updates.

Producers can text AKDeltaJunction or AKPalmer to FSANOW (372-669) to subscribe to text message alerts from the Northern and Southern County Offices. Standard text messaging rates apply. Contact your wireless carrier for details associated with your particular data plan. Participants may unsubscribe at any time.

Please contact Robert Garcia, Northern County Executive Director, at (907) 895-4242, ext 101 roberto.garcia2@usda.gov or Hazen Kazaks, Southern County Executive Director, at (907) 761-7773 hazen.kazaks@usda.gov if you have questions regarding FSA’s email news service or text message option.

Newsletters

Farm Service Agency 2022 Annual Policy Reminders Newsletter

Farm Service Agency Farm Loans

Are you a farmer or rancher who has substantially participated in a farming operation for at least three but no more than 10 years? Or are you a woman or minority-owned agricultural business? If so, you may qualify for beginning farmer or socially disadvantaged targeted loan funds with the Farm Service Agency. The USDA/Farm Service Agency makes both direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain financing from commercial credit sources. FSA loans can be used to purchase land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed and supplies. The loans can also be used to construct buildings or make farm improvements.

If you believe this program could be of benefit to you, please contact the Farm Service Agency Northern County Office at (907) 895-4242 or call (907) 761-7773 to reach the Southern County Office for more information. FSA loan officials will be happy to arrange an appointment to meet with you and discuss your options.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Farm Service Agency Programs

Reporting Farm Information

It is the responsibility of the producer to notify FSA throughout the year of any changes in farming operation or entity status. Please remember to update FSA records if you move or change your mailing address.