Welcome to the Arizona Farm Service Agency Home Page
Our primary mission is to help ensure the success of Arizona’s farmers and ranchers through various programs and technical assistance. The work that FSA continues to accomplish day to day is important not only to the agricultural producers around the State but also to the rural communities that depend on the agricultural industry.
The hard-working men and women of Arizona's 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 website can help you learn more about FSA programs and services.
Arizona Disaster Designation Deadline Sept 30, 2023
Presidential Tribal Disaster Declaration M4681
On December 30, 2022, President Joe Biden, under 7 CFR 759.5(a), designated one (1) Arizona Indian Tribal Community as a primary disaster area due to flooding during the period of October 1 to October 2, 2022. This designation makes farm operators in primary counties, and those counties contiguous to such primary counties, eligible to be considered for certain assistance from FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have eight (8) months to apply for emergency loans. FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator.
Applications for emergency loans will be received through September 30, 2023.
Arizona Primary Counties: Havasupai Reservation
Arizona Contiguous Counties: Coconino
Deadline October 31 to Apply for the 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.
Phoenix Urban Ag Center- Update
The Phoenix Urban Ag Center is currently in progress. It will be situated at the U of A Cooperative Extension Service.
- New Urban Service Centers and Urban County Committees
- Arizona Urban Ag Committee
- Urban Service Center page (https://www.farmers.gov/your-business/urban-growers/urban-service-centers)
- Brochure and worksheet (https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/documents/farmersgov-factsheet-urban-service-centers.pdf)
Are you a New/Beginning Farmer?
USDA Service Centers across the country, are hearing from people who are interested in more space and working the land and we want to let you know we can help. Are you new to farming because of the pandemic? USDA can help you get started in farming – on everything from helping you register your farm to getting financial assistance and advice.
Get Started with USDA
First, you want to make sure your farm is registered. If you purchased land, it might already be established with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) with a farm number on file. If not, FSA can help you register your farm.
To obtain a farm number, you’ll bring an official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID) and a property deed. If you do not own the land, bring a lease agreement to your FSA representative to show you have control of the property. If your operation is incorporated or an entity, you may also need to provide proof that you have signature authority and the legal ability to enter into contracts with USDA. Find your local service center here
Access to Capital
USDA can provide access to capital through its farm loans, which is a great resource when producers aren’t able to get a loan from a traditional lender. Loans can help with purchasing land or equipment or with operating costs, and FSA even offers microloans, which are especially popular among producers with smaller farms. For more information, check out our Farm Loan Discovery Tool.
Conservation Practices
We can help you make conservation improvements to your farm, which are good for your bottom line and your operation. We’ll help you develop a conservation plan and apply for financial assistance that’ll cover the bulk of the costs for implementing. To learn more about some of the conservation practices that we help producers with, check out our Conservation at Work Video Series.
If you purchase land, and you don’t want to farm all of it, you can look at either a conservation easement or managing for native shrubs and grasses through either the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) or Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Easements are long-term, while a CRP contract is 10-15 years. These are good options for land that is not optimal for production or sensitive lands like wetlands and grasslands.
Additional Resources
Depending on your farm, you may want to look at crop insurance. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency provides crop insurance to help you manage risks on your farm. There are many types of insurance products available for a wide variety of production practices, including organic and sustainable agriculture.
Your local communities also have great resources for farmers including conservation districts, Rural Development, cooperative extensions, and different farming groups. To get started with USDA, contact your local USDA service center. We encourage you to check the status of your local USDA Service Center and make an appointment to discuss your business needs.
Disaster Designations
On March 17, 2022, Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsack, under 7 CFR 759.5(a), designated two (2) Arizona counties as a primary disaster area due to drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional.
This designation makes farm operators in primary counties, and those counties contiguous to such primary counties, eligible to be considered for certain assistance from FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have eight (8) months to apply for emergency loans. FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator.
Arizona USDA/FSA reminds our agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency (FSA) program dates. Contact your local service center to apply and for any questions.
Dates To Remember:
Upcoming Program Signup Deadlines:
Oct 31- Discrimination Assistance Program
Nov 1- Organic Certification Cost Share Program
Nov 6 - COC Election Ballots mailed to eligible voters
Dec. 4: Completed FSA County Committee Election Ballots to be returned to the FSA County Office or post-marked.
NAP Application Closing Dates:
Aug 31 Onion, Leeks
Sept 1 Garlic, Finfish, Flowers
Sept 30 Alfalfa, Grass, Mixed Forage
Oct 31 Rye, Cantaloupes, Honeydew, Lettuce (All), Oats, Triticale, Canary, Dates
Nov 20 Apple, Apricot, Cherry, Honey, Peach, Pears, Peas, Plums, Pomegranate, Watermelons,
Nov 20 Grapefruit, Greens, Lemons, Orange, Radish, Tangelo
Nov 30 Potato
Dec 31 Pistachios
Crop Reporting Dates:
Nov 15 Arizona Apiculture, Onions
For more information about USDA programs and to find your local service center please contact your local USDA Service Center. or visit our website at: www.farmers.gov.
About the Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency is a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Located in all 50 states, our mission is to help American farmers provide reasonably priced food and fiber to the nation and the world.
The Arizona State Office is located in Phoenix, Arizona. County Service Centers are located in eight Arizona communities to serve the needs of area farmers and ranchers. Click the link below for County Office phone numbers and addresses: HERE
The Farm Service Agency State Committee in Arizona oversees the activities of the agency. The members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture each year. They hear appeals from local farmers and guide the direction of agency policy.
Arizona State Committee:
William K. Perry - Chairman
Brett Hunt -Acting Chairman
Cherilyn Yazzie - Member
Sign Up Now: Instant Electronic Bulletins & SMS Texting
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. To sign up use the email box “Sign up for updates:" on the right column of this page. Subscribe to text message alerts to receive timely updates on: deadline reminders, program notifications, reporting requirements, local outreach events. To subscribe to text message alerts, text AZ and COUNTY NAME to FSANOW (372-669). Standard text messaging rates apply. Participants may unsubscribe at any time. No more than two reminder messages will be sent each month on average. GovDelivery is your one-stop shop for the most up-to-date USDA program information. Sign up online
FSA Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Resources
It is FSA's policy to provide equal opportunity in all programs, services, and activities to LEP persons.
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) persons are individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. As directed in Executive Order 13166 " Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency", LEP statutes and authorities prohibit exclusion from participation in, denial of benefits of, and discrimination under federally assisted and/or conducted programs on the ground of race, color, or national origin.
FSA offers three types of language translation and interpretation services available to customers at no cost: (1) document translation; (2) telephonic interpretation; and (3) in-person interpretation. These language translation and interpretation services will assist both customers and staff with overcoming language barriers.
iSpeak posters are displayed in each office to identify the language need to the county office staff.
For more information, visit farmers.gov/translations.
Please contact your local county office. To find the office closest to you, visit http://offices.usda.gov.
Need Help with ERP 2 / PARP or other FSA Programs? FSA's Partnership with Flower Hill Institute's Webinars Can Help!
Flower Hill Institute provides nationwide outreach, education, and technical assistance services to historically underserved farmers and ranchers through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). These services are designed to help raise awareness for FSA relief programs and educate qualified farmers and producers on submission requirements and post-award management for the Emergency Relief Program – Phase 2 (ERP-2) and other FSA programs.
IAC conducted a public webinar on ERP Phase 2, YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsCAG1xkCD0.
Upcoming Office hours Zoom meetings. Must pre-register.
3:00-4:00 pm Central Time
September 20 – Organic Certification Cost Share Program:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvf-yhrzwqGdZm-xax09sc7Lt0ijUBs8fz
October 25 – Urban Agriculture:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-msqTkuGdLp0ZGp_xUoLEaGfAQIjXtn
November 15 – Conservation Reserve Program:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ucOCupzgtHdCEvXRv1Iw2srx-5iTjF3cy
December 8 – Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoc-ugqDIoHdRtRWQr5ersxS-sYZMRbwqQ
USDA Reminds Arizona Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports
Agricultural producers in Arizona who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center before the applicable deadline.
“Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Ginger Torres, State Executive Director in Arizona. “Once planting is complete, call your local FSA office to make an appointment to report your acreage. Our FSA staff can assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.”
An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits.
How to File a Report
Acreage reporting dates vary by crop and by county. Contact your local FSA office for a list of acreage reporting deadlines by crop.
To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide:
Crop and crop type or variety;
Intended use of the crop;
Number of acres of the crop;
Map with approximate boundaries for the crop;
Planting date(s);
Planting pattern, when applicable;
Producer shares;
Irrigation practice(s);
Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable;
Other information as required.
Acreage Reporting Exceptions
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