Indiana State Executive Director

Steven E. Brown   

Indiana State FSA Committee

Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers

USDA is beginning a phased approach to reopening offices to in-person visitors, including USDA Service Centers that deliver important programs to farmers and ranchers. These reopening procedures have been developed to maximize the safety of USDA employees and the agricultural producers who rely on USDA programs and services.

The reopening status of USDA Service Centers across Indiana is different depending on local conditions. Some USDA Service Centers in Indiana will begin allowing in-person office visits by appointment only. Our program delivery staff will be in the office and work with our producers in person, by phone, by email, or by using other online tools. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business should call ahead to confirm the office’s status and make an appointment before visiting. Visitors will be pre-screened based on health concerns or recent travel and must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors may also be required to wear a face covering during their appointment.

Our program delivery staff will be in the office and work with our producers in person, by phone, by email, or by using other online tools.

Online services are still available to customers, including our new Box and OneSpan functionality that enable customers to sign and share FSA and NRCS documents with USDA Service Center staff in just a few clicks. Producers can get started with a simple username and password for Box or, for OneSpan, a quick identity verification. Additional services are available to customers with an eAuth account, which provides access to the farmers.gov portal where producers can view USDA farm loan information and payments and view and track certain USDA program applications and payments. Through the FSA website, customers can access certain FSA programs and view FSA data, including maps, on FSAfarm+. Customers who do not already have an eAuth account can enroll at farmers.gov/sign-in.

For the most current updates on available services and flexibilities due to COVID-19, or to find contact information for your local Service Center farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19.

FSA is currently accepting applications for CFAP. To find the latest information on CFAP, including forms and the contact information for your local Service Center, visit farmers.gov/CFAP.

New FSA producers should utilize the customer call center to work one-on-one with an FSA employee. Call: 877-508-8364

The USDA Farm Service Agency CFAP National Program Specialists hosted a series of webinars to discuss what producers should know to sign up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. 

All webinars have been recorded. The webinars and the slide deck presentations can be viewed via the link at farmers.gov/cfap or directly at fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/outreach-and-education/webinars/index

Indiana Farm Service Agency Executive Director Steve Brown joined Jim Mintert to discuss the CFAP program. FSA staff members Kaitlin Myers, Susan Houston and Greg Foulke were also on the program to provide additional details regarding CFAP eligibility requirements, payment calculations and the application process. Purdue University - Indiana FSA CFAP Webinar Link. A detailed slide presentation is available on their site to download for your reference.

Farm Service Agency Accepting Nominations for County
Committees June 15 through Aug. 1

The nomination period for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees runs June 15 through Aug. 1, 2020, and 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.

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