Spotlights
Nebraska FSA State Office Newsletter: November
Click HERE to access the most recent newsletter.
Assistance for Distressed Farm Loan Borrowers
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. All requests for assistance must be received by Dec. 31, 2023. Learn more at this link.
USDA Announces Changes to Notice of Loss Requirements for Two Livestock Disaster Programs; Impacts 2023 Assistance
USDA recently changed certain notice of loss requirements for 2023 for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) Program and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Farm Service Agency (FSA) is waiving the requirement to submit ELAP or LIP notices of loss within a pre-determined number of days for 2023. Instead, producers now have the flexibility to submit 2023 notices of loss as soon as possible, once losses are realized, following a natural disaster event or no later than the established annual program application for payment deadlines for each program.
For livestock producers who may have suffered impacts of extreme weather earlier this year, but missed the ELAP or LIP required notice of loss window, this waiver allows them the opportunity to contact their FSA county office to discuss program eligibility and potentially file a notice of loss and apply for ELAP or LIP assistance ahead of application deadlines in early 2024.
To learn more about these program changes and how they may impact producers, read the news release here.
FSA Now Accepting Applications for Emergency Relief Program 2022
FSA offices across the state are now accepting applications for the Emergency Relief Program 2022, a program designed to provide financial assistance to commodity and specialty crop producers who experienced a loss of income due to qualifying natural disasters occurring in 2022.
To learn more, visit the Emergency Relief Program website and then contact your county FSA office. You also can find details through these fact sheets: ERP 2022 Track 1 and ERP 2022 Track 2.
Drought Disaster Resources
CLICK HERE to view a webinar, and access summary information, about provisions of key drought assistance programs mentioned below.
FSA offices continue to work with producers on drought program applications in counties impacted by drought in 2023. Key programs that triggered in many locations this year include 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.
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 January 13, 2024.
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.
Want to Work for Farm Service Agency?
Information on working for Nebraska Farm Service Agency can be found in the Resources section of this website. Scroll to Find Your Career with Nebraska FSA.
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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