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USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool

Thu Apr 5, 2018 12:50 PM

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2018— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018.
USDA Helps Cotton Producers Maintain, Expand Domestic Market

Tue Mar 6, 2018 01:23 PM

(MEMPHIS, TN, March 3, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced at the 66^th Annual Mid-South Farm and Gin Show the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking action to assist cotton producers through a Cotton Ginning Cost Share (CGCS) program in order to expand and maintain the domestic marketing of cotton.
Perdue Names Appointees to the Georgia USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee

Thu Jan 18, 2018 01:43 PM

Athens, Ga., Jan. 11, 2018- U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the individuals who will serve on the Georgia USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. The state committee is responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving appeals from the agriculture community, and helping to keep producers informed about FSA programs.
Georgia Producers Reminded of Approaching Deadline to Submit Ballots for Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections

Mon Dec 4, 2017 12:14 PM

(Athens, GA) Nov. 28, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Georgia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Tas Smith, today reminded farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers that FSA county committee elections began Nov. 6, with the mailing of ballots. Eligible voters must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 4, 2017, to ensure that their vote is counted. Producers who have not received their ballot should pick one up at their local FSA office.
USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Safety Net Coverage in 2018

Wed Nov 1, 2017 09:15 AM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting Nov. 1, 2017, farmers and ranchers with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net program may enroll for the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will end on Aug. 1, 2018.
USDA Processing Pending Conservation Reserve Program Continuous Enrollment Offers

Tue Oct 10, 2017 12:44 PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will process many pending eligible offers for land enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and it will temporarily suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year.
USDA Issues Farm Safety Net and Conservation Payments

Wed Oct 4, 2017 08:30 AM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that over $9.6 billion in payments will be made, beginning this week, to producers through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing approximately $8 billion in payments under the ARC and PLC programs for the 2016 crop year, and $1.6 billion under CRP for 2017.
Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma Granted Extra Time, Procedures, to Document and Claim Disaster Losses

Thu Sep 28, 2017 08:56 AM

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced special procedures to assist producers who lost crops or livestock or had other damage to their farms or ranches as a result of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Also, because of the severe and widespread damage caused by the hurricanes, USDA will provide additional flexibility to assist farm loan borrowers.
USDA Recovery Efforts for Hurricane Irma

Wed Sep 13, 2017 12:01 PM

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses impacted Hurricane Irma that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices that stand ready and eager to help.
Dairy Producers Can Enroll for 2018 Coverage Secretary Allows Producers to Opt Out

Fri Sep 1, 2017 01:55 PM

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that starting Sept. 1, 2017, dairy producers can enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Secretary Sonny Perdue has utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018.
Deadline to Enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC)

Tue Jul 18, 2017 01:34 PM

Athens, GA, July 13, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Georgia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director (SED) Dianne R. Westmoreland reminds farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1 to enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and/or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2017 crop year. These programs trigger financial protections for participating agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues.
Georgia Producers Have Until Aug. 1 to Submit FSA County Committee Nominations

Tue Jul 18, 2017 01:19 PM

Athens, GA July 18, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director for Georgia, Dianne R. Westmoreland, today reminded farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1, 2017, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees.
USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15

Fri May 26, 2017 10:24 AM

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Thursday, June 15, 2017.
USDA Makes it Easier to Transfer Land to the Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers

Fri Jan 13, 2017 08:18 AM

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 29, 2016 – Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Lanon Baccam today announced that beginning Jan. 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer an early termination opportunity for certain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, making it easier to transfer property to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including family members. The land that is eligible for the early termination is among the least environmentally sensitive land enrolled in CRP.
USDA Provides New Cost Share Opportunities for Organic Producers and Handlers

Fri Jan 13, 2017 08:09 AM

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting March 20, 2017, organic producers and handlers will be able to visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic or transitional certification.
FSA Targets Funds for Historically Underserved Farmers

Thu Nov 3, 2016 01:41 PM

Athens, GA, November 1, 2016 – The Georgia State Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the availability of direct and guaranteed loan funds for historically underserved individuals who want to purchase or operate a family-size farm in fiscal year 2017.
USDA Prepares for Hurricane Matthew

Thu Oct 6, 2016 01:39 PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses that could potentially be affected by Hurricane Matthew that USDA has several programs that provide assistance before, during and after disasters. USDA staff in the regional, State and county offices along the East Coast are ready to help.
USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Farmers in Response to 2015 Market Downturn

Thu Oct 6, 2016 08:47 AM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that beginning today, many of the 1.7 million farms that enrolled in either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will receive safety-net payments due to market downturns during the 2015 crop year.
USDA Announces Availability of Additional Farm Loan Funding

Tue Sep 6, 2016 09:51 AM

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that additional funding will be made available to assist more than 1,900 approved applicants who are awaiting farm operating loans. The funds, which were reprogrammed by FSA with the approval of Congress, will leverage up to $185 million in additional lending for direct and guaranteed farm operation loans and will allow the agency to address up to 30 percent of its projected shortfall of funds until the next federal fiscal year resumes on Oct. 1.
USDA to Purchase Surplus Cheese for Food Banks and Families in Need, Continue to Assist Dairy Producers

Tue Aug 30, 2016 01:55 PM

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase approximately 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories to assist food banks and pantries across the nation, while reducing a cheese surplus that is at its highest level in 30 years. The purchase, valued at $20 million, will be provided to families in need across the country through USDA nutrition assistance programs, while assisting the stalled marketplace for dairy producers whose revenues have dropped 35 percent over the past two years.
North Georgia Counties Eligible for Grazing Assistance

Tue Jul 19, 2016 01:00 PM

ATHENS, GA, July 12, 2016 --- The Georgia Farm Service Agency (FSA) has been notified that livestock producers in 36 Georgia counties are now eligible for assistance under the Livestock Forage Program (LFP). The eligible counties are located primarily in the northern part of the state; however, eligibility is determined weekly and other counties could become eligible for LFP assistance in the coming weeks if drought conditions persist.
USDA Designates 21 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Alabama

Wed Jul 13, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 21 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought. Those counties are:
Dairy Producers Can Enroll to Protect Milk Production Margins

Tue Jul 5, 2016 01:00 PM

ATHENS, GA - July 5, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia today announced that dairy producers can enroll for 2017 coverage in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) starting July 1. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy producers when the margin - the difference between the price of milk and feed costs - falls below the coverage level selected by the producer.
USDA Provides Targeted Assistance to Cotton Producers to Share in the Cost of Ginning

Mon Jun 6, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide an estimated $300 million in cost-share assistance payments to cotton producers through the new Cotton Ginning Cost-Share program, in order to expand and maintain the domestic marketing of cotton.
USDA Extends Deadline for Recording Farm Structure

Fri May 27, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a one-time, 30-day extension to the June 1 deadline for recording farm organization structures related to Actively Engaged in Farming determinations. This date is used to determine the level of interest an individual holds in a legal entity for the applicable program year. Farming operations will now have until July 1 to complete their restructuring or finalize any operational change. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the extension in response to farmers and ranchers who requested more time to comply, and to assure that everyone has enough time to provide their information under the new rules.
USDA Offers Targeted Farm Loan Funding for Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers

Tue May 24, 2016 01:00 PM

(Athens, GA) – May 24, 2016-- USDA Georgia Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Fred Harrison, Jr., reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.
USDA Resumes Incentives to Grow and Harvest Biomass for Energy and Biobased Products

Mon May 23, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that incentives resume this month for farmers and foresters who grow and harvest biomass for renewable energy and biobased products. The funds come through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Results

Thu May 5, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the enrollment of more than 800,000 acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Through CRP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) helps farmers offset the costs of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and strengthen wildlife habitat. Farmers' and ranchers' participation in CRP continues to provide numerous benefits to our nation, including helping reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gases and providing resiliency to future weather changes.
USDA Offers New Loans for Portable Farm Storage and Handling Equipment

Fri Apr 29, 2016 01:00 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 29, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Elanor Starmer announced changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program today during a local and regional food roundtable in Columbus, Ohio. The loans, which now include a smaller microloan option with lower down payments, are designed to help producers, including new, small and mid-sized producers, grow their businesses and markets.
USDA Establishes New Partnerships to Link Underserved Farmers to FSA Programs

Wed Apr 27, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2016 – The U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) today announced cooperative agreements with 55 partners to educate farmers and other producers that have been underserved by USDA programs historically about Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that provide financial, disaster or technical support. Nearly $2.5 million will go to nonprofits, associations, universities, and foundations that will provide training and information on agricultural best practices, local networking opportunities, and more.
USDA Expands Safety-Net for Dairy Operations Adding Next-Generation Family Members

Tue Apr 12, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program (MPP) can now update their production history when an eligible family member joins the operation. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, protects participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below levels of protection selected by the applicant.
USDA Designates 2 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Thu Mar 17, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Glascock and Jefferson counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain that occurred from Sept. 15, 2015, through Dec. 22, 2015.
USDA Financial Assistance Available to Help Organic Farmers Create Conservation Buffers

Fri Feb 26, 2016 01:00 PM

LA CROSSE, Wis., Feb. 26, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intent to assist organic farmers with the cost of establishing up to 20,000 acres of new conservation buffers and other practices on and near farms that produce organic crops. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs, Brad Pfaff, issued the announcement today at the Midwest Organics and Sustainable Education Service conference in La Crosse, Wis.
FSA County Committee Elections to Begin; Producers to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 9

Tue Nov 10, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2015 – Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the 2015 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 7, 2015, to ensure that their vote is counted.
USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Farmers Facing Market Downturn

Thu Oct 29, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2015 — The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that beginning today, nearly one half of the 1.7 million farms that signed up for either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will receive safety-net payments for the 2014 crop year.
USDA Commits $2.5 Million to Expand New Farmer Education

Tue Sep 29, 2015 01:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2015 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that $2.5 million in grants is now available for projects to educate new and underserved farmers about more than 20 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency programs that can provide financial, disaster or technical assistance to the agricultural community.