Florida State Office

USDA to Invest $67 Million to Help Heirs Resolve Land Ownership and Succession Issues

USDA is providing $67 million in competitive loans through the new Heirs’ Property Relending Program, which aims to help agricultural producers and landowners resolve heirs’ land ownership and succession issues.

Intermediary lenders -- cooperatives, credit unions, and nonprofit organizations – can apply for loans up to $5 million at up to 1% interest once the Farm Service Agency (FSA) opens the two-month signup window in late August.  Visit www.farmers.gov/heirs/relending to learn more

Ask the Expert: Understanding the U.S. Drought Monitor; a Q&A with Brian Fuchs

In this Ask the Expert, climatologist Brian Fuchs answers questions about the U.S. Drought Monitor and how it relates to USDA and supports agricultural producers. Brian is part of the team at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that manages the drought map. The drought monitor is an online, weekly map showing the extent and severity of drought across the United States.

Learn more about the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Pandemic Assistance for Producers

USDA is committed to delivering financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers who have been impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions through our new initiative – USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers. Stay updated on announcements under the USDA Pandemic Assistance to Producers initiative at farmers.gov.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

USDA is implementing updates to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for producers of agricultural commodities marketed in 2020 who faced market disruptions due to COVID-19. Farm Service Agency will reopen sign-up for CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning on April 5, 2021. Learn more about applying for CFAP 2 and other recent CFAP updates.

Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers

USDA Service Centers in Florida will continue to be open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with our producers by phone, and using online tools whenever possible.

All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. In the event a Service Center is not currently available to serve customers on location, producers can receive assistance from the closest alternate Service Center by phone. Learn more at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

You can receive important FSA Florida News Releases in your email or urgent local notices on your mobile device. To subscribe, go to the FSA subscription page.

County Committee Elections

Farm Service Agency Accepting Nominations for County Committees June 15 through Aug. 2

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting nominations for county committees now through Aug. 2, 2021. Elections will take place starting in November.

County committees are unique to FSA and serve as a direct link between agricultural communities across the country and USDA. For more information on FSA county committees, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Important Election Dates

June 15, 2021

The nomination period begins. Request nomination forms from your local USDA Service Center or download from this site.

Aug. 2, 2021

Last day to file nomination forms at the local USDA Service Center. 

Nov. 1, 2021

Ballots mailed to eligible voters.

Dec. 6, 2021

Last day to return voted ballots to the USDA Service Center.

Jan. 1, 2022

Newly elected county committee members take office.

To request free mediation or for more information, please call (800) 616-7863 or go online at www.agmediation.org. All calls are confidential.