Welcome to the Massachusetts Farm Service Agency Home Page

Massachusetts FSA is proud to continue its strong tradition of customer-based service to Massachusetts farmers and producers. The staff in our seven county offices is committed to securing the highest possible financial assistance from USDA programs through accurate, timely and efficient program delivery. This website can help you learn more about our programs and point you toward your local office so that you can speak directly with staff on how we can be of service.

FSA programs include

• Commodity price supports
• Disaster and emergency relief
• Conservation and environmental programs
• Farm emergency, ownership, and operating loans – including our new Microloan program which aims to assist small farmers, veterans, and disadvantaged producers

Massachusetts agriculture contributes over $492 million annually to the state’s economy, ranks 5th nationally in direct market sales, and first in the percentage of farms practicing Community Supported Agriculture. Noted for great diversity in both crops and in the nature of farming enterprises, our state has some of the best quality agricultural land in the country with 7,755 farms on over 523,000 total acres. 80% of our farms are family-owned, 95% qualify as "small farms" (under $250,000 in sales), and more new farms are beginning operations each year. Challenges for farmers include high input costs and contending with one of the highest farmland values in the U.S. at $10,600 per acre.

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Staff

State Executive Director: Daniel Smiarowski
District Director: Katie Bodzinski
Executive Officer: Lori Carver
Farm Loan Chief: Eric Bodzinski
Farm Loan Specialist: Robert Wigmore
Farm Program Specialist: John Devine
Farm Technology Specialist: Thomas Cairns
State Outreach Coordinator: Bailey Albert

Massachusetts State Committee

Nathan L'Etoile - Chair - Northfield, MA
Christopher Grant - Essex, MA
Melissa "Missy" Leab - Hancock, MA
Linda Rinta - West Wareham, MA
Philip Stevens - Barre, MA

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In the Spotlight:

Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Borrowers

Since October 2022, USDA has provided approximately $1.5 billion in immediate assistance to more than 24,000 financially distressed direct and guaranteed FSA loan borrowers through the Inflation Reduction Act.

FSA is currently accepting individual requests for assistance from borrowers who took certain extraordinary measures to avoid delinquency on their direct FSA loans, missed a recent installment, or are unable to make their next scheduled installment.

For more information on eligibility, or to submit a request for assistance, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.  

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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 January 13, 2024.

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Massachusetts Farm Service Agency Accepting Applications for Loss Adjusters

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently accepting applications from individuals interested in providing contracted crop adjusting services throughout Massachusetts. Applications can be submitted electronically to Lori.Carver@usda.gov.

Loss adjusters perform crop loss and related program services as assigned by FSA. Duties associated with these services include:

• Visiting farms to inspect damaged or destroyed crops
• Appraising potential crop production
• Determining and verifying the cause and time of loss
• Determining farm-stored production
• Visiting FSA offices and/or farms to perform inspections, reviews or other loss services.

As part of the contract process, Loss Adjusters must pass a required fingerprint background check.

Starting pay for adjusters in training is $15.75/hour. A pay raise to $21.20/hour is contingent on satisfactory completion of a full certification on at least one crop. Mileage and per diem will be paid by FSA; however, contracted adjusters are expected to provide their own mode of transportation.

Click here to access the application and a complete position description.