Spotlights
Nebraska FSA State Office Newsletter: August
Click HERE to access the most recent newsletter.
FSA Reminds Producers to Report Livestock Losses Due to Extreme Weather
As extreme heat and humidity hang on in Nebraska, Farm Service Agency is reminding livestock producers of the availability of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). LIP provides financial benefits to producers who suffer livestock losses above normal mortality due to adverse weather.
Losses must be reported to FSA within 30 days of when they are apparent. A phone call to the county FSA office can serve as official notice of loss. Documentation of the losses is important. If you have questions about appropriate documentation, please contact your county office.
Drought Disaster Resources
CLICK HERE to view a webinar, and access summary information, about provisions of key drought assistance programs mentioned below.
As drought conditions persist across Nebraska, a number of FSA assistance programs have triggered in many counties. These programs trigger on a county-by-county basis and track with conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor, including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program, and the Conservation Reserve Program emergency haying and grazing program. Producers who are interested in learning more about these programs and their availability locally are encouraged to contact the county FSA office. Click here for county FSA office contact information.
In addition, USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has designated a number of Nebraska counties as primary natural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought. To access designation information, including maps showing current county designations, visit this link. Disaster designations for these counties and those contiguous to the primary designated counties trigger implementation of the FSA Emergency Loan Program and the FSA Disaster Set-Aside Program. Producers who are interested in learning more about these options are encouraged to contact their county FSA office to visit with farm loan program staff.
There are other drought assistance programs. A comprehensive overview can be found at farmers.gov.
Application Period Open for 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.
This program is not being administered by Farm Service Agency offices but by private companies with USDA oversight and supervision.
Filing an application is free and does not require a lawyer. The application period is open and runs through October 31, 2023.
Beginning Farmer/Rancher Resources
Nebraska Farm Service Agency is among several Nebraska agriculture organizations that have programs designed to assist beginning farmers and ranchers as they establish their operations. You can find a listing of resources in Nebraska at nebraskabeginningfarmer.org.
FSA presented on its programs during a webinar with the Nebraska Land Link. The hour-long video resource on these FSA beginning farmer/rancher tools is available for viewing at this link. Additional information about FSA beginning farmer and rancher programs can be found within the New Farmers section of fact sheets on the FSA website or at farmers.gov.
Nebraska FSA Farmers.gov Electronic News
FSA provides the digital Farmers.gov news service to distribute timely information on programs direct to your email inbox. It can help you remember important program deadlines and requirements so you can effectively utilize FSA programs in your farm or ranch operation. You also will find key information from FSA's partner organization, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
In addition to the newsletter, you also can sign up to receive information through our Farmers.gov text messaging service. Text messages only are issued to remind subscribers of timely, important program deadlines or other information. No more than two texts will be sent in a month, and often, it will be less than that amount. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Click here to subscribe to either the newsletter, text messaging, or both.
FSA Resources to Assist with Impacts of Adverse Weather
Farm Service Agency has programs that can be implemented to assist producers whose operations are affected by adverse weather. To learn about the programs available, please review the fact sheets at this link by scrolling down to the Disaster Protection and Recovery section. Programs that are frequently used by livestock producers include Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
To view recent Nebraska disaster designations, click on these links: 2023 Counties; 2022 Counties or 2021 Counties.
FSA Loan Servicing Options
There are options for Farm Service Agency loan customers experiencing financial stress. If you are a borrower who is unable to make payments on a loan, contact your local FSA Farm Loan Manager to learn about the options available to you.
Primary and Preservation Loan Servicing for Delinquent FSA Borrowers Fact Sheet
From the Nebraska FSA State Executive Director
Our primary mission is to help Nebraska farmers and ranchers secure financial assistance from USDA programs through accurate, timely and efficient program delivery.
Nebraska FSA is proud to continue its strong tradition of providing customer-based service to Nebraska producers. The hard-working men and women of our FSA county offices are at the forefront of our efforts and remain the primary contact for program participation. We encourage you to speak with the staff at your local office about how we can be of service. Our website can help you learn more about FSA programs and services and help you locate your local FSA Service Center.
In the event you need additional assistance you can't get from the local level, please don't hesitate to contact me at the State FSA Office at the address or phone number listed in the left-hand information section of this page.
With regards,
Tim Divis, Nebraska FSA Acting State Executive Director
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