Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers

USDA Service Centers in Mississippi 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

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.

State Committee:

• Barbara Gray, STC Chairperson
• Ronnie Brown, Member
• Melvin Ellis III, Member
• Essie Patterson, Member
• Bennie Rouser, Member

STC shall be generally responsible for carrying out the following in the State:

• Conservation programs
• Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers
• Price Support Loan and LDP Administrative Systems
• Disaster Program (NAP, LFP etc.)
• Safety Net Program
• Developing an interest in and understanding of State programs
• Designed to meet for individual farmers, ranchers, and farm and nonfarm groups
• Other programs assigned by the Secretary or Congress

All STC members have the right to vote on all matters that come before STC for consideration and determination. STC, working with SED, is subject to the direction and supervision of Deputy Administrator Field Operations.

STC has responsibilities in 4 major areas

• FSA and CCC commodity and conservation programs
• COC operations
• Policy determinations
• Information available to public.

Operational Responsibilities

According to applicable regulations and instructions, STC shall:

• Serve in an advisory capacity to SED, as necessary
• Be responsible for efficient and orderly operations of FSA including general oversight of
  • COC's
  • County Offices.

County Committee Election

Click here to access County Committee Elections page

Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher 

The term “Socially Disadvantaged” means an

Individual or entity who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. A socially disadvantaged group is a group whose members have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities 

Socially disadvantaged groups consist of the following: 

• American Indians or Alaskan Natives
• Asians
• Blacks or African Americans
• Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders

Beginning Farmer or Rancher

 The term “Beginning Farmer or Rancher” means a participant who:

• Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years, and who
• Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.
• In the case of a contract with an individual, individually or with the immediate family, material and substantial participation requires that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or State where the farm is located.

In the case of a contract made with a legal entity, all members must meet these requirements.

Hot Links

• U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Page
• Farm Service Agency -National Office
• Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

Farm Loan Interest Rates and Planning Guides

• Farm Loan Program Interest Rates
• Farm Storage Facility Loan Interest Rates
• View the New FSA Farm Loan Compass

Conduct FSA Business Online

With a USDA Customer Level 2 eAuth Account you can have one stop access to your USDA program participation information.

Learn how to create a Level 2 eAuth Account

Visit our Online Service for Apps

• Farmers.gov
• FSAfarm+
• eARCPLC
• Financial Services
• Sign up for FSA Newsletters by email- GovDelivery