(Dallas, TX, May 31, 2018) - U.S. Secretary f Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas A&M's AgriLife Extension Service to help military veterans obtain loans and pursue careers as farmers and ranchers.  Secretary Perdue joined local dignitaries, members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and community leaders at the Dallas Farmers Market to unveil the new pilot program. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Kauai County in Hawaii as a primary disaster area due to losses and damages caused by record-breaking rainfall, excessive flooding and massive landslides that occurred from April 13, 2018, through April 20, 2018.  

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced another year of high activity in its farm loan programs. Hard-working farm families across the country accessed nearly $6 billion in new credit, either directly or guaranteed through commercial lenders in 2017. At year end, FSA was assisting more than 120,000 family farmers with loans totaling just over $25 billion.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2017 – Through the work of dedicated staff in over 2,100 county and state offices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides vital farm safety-net assistance to agricultural producers across America.

“We’ve seen recent challenges in farm income and commodity prices,” said Dr. Robert Johansson, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for the Farm Production and Conservation mission area. “The ‘safety net’ provided in the 2014 Farm Bill has helped producers withstand economic losses as well as losses resulting from natural disasters. Loans for operating expenses, farm purchases and other purposes help current producers stay in business and allow a new generation of farmers and ranchers get their start.”

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Nov.  28, 2017- The Trump Administration recently appointed Allen “AL” Frenzel as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Hawaii Farm Service Agency (FSA). Frenzel joined the Hawaii FSA team on Monday, Nov. 27.

Frenzel is an entrepreneur who recently owned and operated several businesses in Hawaii, including consulting services in the area of logistics, leadership and business optimization. He is a logistics management professional who previously worked for Defense Logistics Agency on the United States Pacific Command staff after retiring as an Army Colonel with 27 years of active service. He served as a Professor and Director of Logistics Management at the U.S. Army War College. Originally an agriculture student at the University of Nevada-Reno, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Texas College and his Master of Science in business administration from Boston University.

(Honolulu, Hawaii), October 31, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Active Executive Director Steve Peterson reminds producers that FSA offers specially targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.

“Each year, a portion of FSA’s loan funds are set aside to lend to targeted underserved and beginning farmers and ranchers,” said Peterson. “Farming and ranching is a capital intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers start and maintain their agricultural operations.”

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.

Honolulu, Hawaii, July 25, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii State and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director Steve Peterson recently announced to farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous continental United States that the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2017 began on July 17, 2017, and ends on Sept. 8, 2017.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the expansion of a unique service for farmers and ranchers. FSA’s Bridges to Opportunity program provides a one-stop-shop that connects producers with resources, programs and educational services offered across the department, as well as from other USDA partner organizations. Bridges to Opportunity, which currently provides enhanced customer support to more than 150,000 customers in 20 states, will expand to serve customers across the country before the end of the month using fiscal year 2016 funds. 

Allows for Transfer of Certain Conservation Reserve Program Land to New Farmers; Provides Priority Enrollment in Working Lands Conservation Programs

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.

Honolulu, HAWAII, August 29, 2016 - Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a number of loan programs available to assist applicants to begin or continue in agriculture production. Loans are available for operating type loans and/or to purchase or improve farms or ranches.

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 7-13, 2016, as "National Farmers Market Week." This year marks the 17th annual National Farmers Market Week to honor and celebrate the important role that farmers markets play in local economies.

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.

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Maui County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2015 – This year, millions of rural businesses and families were positively impacted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments in their communities. Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a list of USDA's top achievements in 2015, demonstrating USDA's efforts to help farmers and ranchers bring their products to tables domestically and abroad, build critical infrastructure in America's rural areas, conserve our nation's natural resources through long-lasting partnerships, and continuously work toward improving the lives of all Americans

WASHINGTON, November 6, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed members of the USDA Minority Farmers Advisory Committee (MFAC). The committee provides farmer, rancher, industry and public perspectives on USDA strategies, policies and programs that impact minority farmers and ranchers.

Hilo, Hawaii, October 8, 2015 - Commercial agricultural producers in Hawaii County, whose operations suffered physical damage or losses caused by flash flooding that occurred August 24, 2015 through September 27, 2015, may be eligible for Emergency Loans through the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Barrigada, Guam, Sept. 23, 2015 - Today, Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Farm Service Agency County Executive Director Thomas Camacho announced the extension of the deadline to sign up for Reimbursement of Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) to October 9, 2015 for CNMI producers. This extension will assist producers who have had problems accessing communication systems following Typhoon Soudelor and may have missed the program deadline.

Honolulu, Hawaii, August 31, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii and Pacific Basin State Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Diane Ley announced that beginning July 20, farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous continental United States can enroll in the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2015. Applicants must submit their application to their administrative county FSA office by Sept. 11, 2015. Applicants will have until Nov. 2, 2015, to provide supporting documentation.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Kauai and Maui counties in Hawaii as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.

Honolulu, Hawaii, June 3, 2015 - The Hawaii and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for low interest loans available through the FSA direct farm ownership program. Applications must be approved by September 30, 2015, to take advantage of the funding available.

MILWAUKEE, May 29, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that an additional 800,000 acres of highly environmentally sensitive land may be enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under certain wetland and wildlife initiatives that provide multiple benefits on the same land.

(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 24, 2015 – Farmers and ranchers in the counties of Hawaii and Honolulu who suffered damages from severe winds on January 2-3, 2015 may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). A qualifying producer may receive cost share assistance up to 75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures, such as debris removal or repair of conservation practices. No producer is eligible to receive more than $200,000 per natural disaster occurrence.

(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 10, 2015 - Commercial agricultural producers on Hawaii Island, who were negatively impacted by the volcanic eruption and lava flow from Kilauea Volcano, may be eligible for Emergency Loans through the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Honolulu, Hawaii, February 06, 2015 — Agricultural producers whose operations suffered severe physical losses caused by high winds and flooding that occurred January 2-3, 2015 in the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu may qualify for a Farm Service Agency (FSA) Emergency Physical Loss Loan.