In the news

• USDA Expands Microloans to Help Farm Purchase Farmland and Improve Property
• USDA Removes Farm Program Payments to Managers Not Actively Engaged in Farming

See other news releases by clicking on our State News Release page

 Spotlight

Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Launch June 15

The nomination period for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committees runs June 15 through Aug. 1, 2018, 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. FSA’s been across the country interviewing current committee members to spotlight their involvement in their county. Read what they have to say and check back each week.

For more information on FSA county committees, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Specialty Crop and Organic Producers

If America is to remain food secure and continue exporting food to the world, FSA must also support new types of farming who have not traditionally participated in FSA programs, such as niche operations, specialty crop, and organic producers. FSA's programs, such as Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provide greater coverage for losses when natural disasters affect specialty crops such as vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass, ginseng, honey, syrup, and energy crops. The FSA microloan is also a viable source for specialty crop producers to obtain credit to help start or expand their operation.

To help support expansion of organic products made in rural America, FSA has strengthened programs that support organic agriculture. One example is the Farm Storage Facility Loan to build or upgrade storage facilities for organic commodities, including cold storage, grain bins, bulk tanks and drying and handling equipment. Learn more about help for Organic Farming.

We encourage you to contact your local office or USDA Service Center to learn more about all FSA programs and the information you will need for a complete application.

2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP)

The 2017 WHIP covers losses of producers impacted by hurricanes and wildfires during 2017.

Wildfire Recovery: FSA will determine eligibility for wildfire losses on an individual basis, factoring in the level of insurance coverage purchased by the producer. Wildfire recovery will also include mudslides and heavy smoke.

Hurricane Recovery: 2017 WHIP for hurricane losses and related conditions, such as excessive rain and flooding, will be available for eligible farms in counties that received a qualifying Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration or Secretarial Disaster designation. This includes counties or parishes in at least nine states and territories –  Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas and the Virgin Islands. Other crops, trees, bushes or vines outside of these identified counties may be eligible if the producer provides documentation the loss was caused by a 2017 hurricane.

Contact Us

USDA Farm Service Agency
6311 Ridgewood Road, Suite W100
Jackson, MS 39211-2035
601-965-4300