Spotlights
Nebraska FSA State Office Newsletter: May
Click HERE to access the most recent newsletter.
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 already 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.
Spring Acreage Reporting Deadline Nears; Contact Your County FSA Office Now
Producers are encouraged to contact their county FSA office as soon as possible to complete the spring acreage certification process ahead of the July 17, 2023, deadline. This includes reporting on all spring-seeded crops, plus Conservation Reserve Program acres, perennial grass acres and cover crop acres. County offices should also be informed of prevent plant acres, within 15 days of the final plant date, and failed acres, before destruction of the crop.
To learn about the acreage certification process, click here for a short informational video.
Application Period EXTENDED to JULY 14 for Revenue Based Disaster, Pandemic Assistance Programs (ERP 2 and PARP)
The application period for two financial assistance programs, the Emergency Relief Program Phase Two (ERP 2) and the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP), has been extended to a new deadline of July 14, 2023. ERP 2 addresses revenue losses from natural disasters in 2020 and 2021; producers who qualified under ERP Phase 1 may also qualify for ERP Phase 2. PARP addresses revenue losses in 2020 and is designed to cover gaps in previous pandemic assistance (which was targeted at price loss or lack of market access).
The extended deadline will allow producers more time post-planting to consider these programs. There also are new cooperators who can help producers with their applications and an upcoming webinar on PARP. To learn more about these options, read the news release.
These are producer certification programs, with most of the information necessary for the applications found in producers' personal financial records. Producers can learn more about the programs and how to fill out their applications by viewing this informational webinar. Other important producer information can be found in these documents:
ERP 2 Producer Information Packet
PARP Producer Information Packet
Program information also can be found at these links: ERP 2 Fact Sheet; PARP Fact Sheet; Comparison of ERP 2 and PARP Fact Sheet. Other important links are: ERP 2 Allowable Gross Revenue Worksheet; and PARP Allowable Gross Revenue Workbook.
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. FSA presented on its programs during a webinar with the Nebraska Land Link. The hour-long video resource on these FSA beginning farmer tools is available for viewing at this link.
The Nebraska Land Link is an initiative of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Ag Economics and Nebraska Extension. Nebraska Land Link provides opportunities to connect land seekers with retiring landowners.
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. Other Nebraska-based beginning farmer/rancher resources can be found at this link.
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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