Welcome to the Rhode Island Farm Service Agency (FSA) Home Page
Rhode Island Farm Service Agency
60 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
State Office, Suite 62
Phone: 401-828-3120 Option 3
State Committee
- David Frerichs, Chairperson
- Al Bettencourt, Member
- Maggie Laprise, Member
- Albert Brandon, Member
- Vanessa Garcia Polanco, Member
The Rhode Island State Committee meets the second Wednesday of every month subject to change.
County Office, Suite 49
Phone: 401-828-3120 Option 1
County Committee
- Joseph Polseno, Chairperson
- John Sousa, Vice Chairperson
- Erin Cabot, Member
- Kim Coulter, Member
- Gilbert Rathbun Jr.- Member
The County Committee meets the third Thursday of every month subject to change.
For information on the latest USDA Farm Programs and services, visit Farmers.gov.
Farm Loan Team, Suite 49
Phone: 401-828-3120 Option 2
District Director: Matthew Richter
Farm Loan Analyst: Patricia Sullivan
Farm Loan Specialist: Emma Schlam
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers a variety of loan options to help farmers finance their operations. From buying land to financing the purchase of equipment, FSA loans can help.
For more information about Farm Loan Programs click here.
RI Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
60 Quaker Lane
Warwick RI, 02886
Phone: 401-828-1300
A detail list of RI NRCS staff including their contact information can be accessed by visiting; https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/rhode-island
Get GovDelivery - Receive Instant News, Updates
Producers, owners and others interested in keeping up to date with important FSA program deadlines and information are strongly encouraged to sign up for GovDelivery. This instant communication system allows newsletters, deadline reminders and bulletins to be sent right to your email address. To subscribe to updates, click here.
Receive Text Messages
You can also subscribe to text alerts from the Rhode Island USDA Service Center by texting RIKent Keyword to 372-669. Standard text messaging rates apply. Contact your wireless carrier for details associated with your particular data plan. Participants may unsubscribe at any time.
Language Interpretation Available at USDA Service Centers
We offer free interpretation services for Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service assistance at your local USDA Service Center. Tell us your preferred language, and the USDA team member will call an interpreter to get the discussion started. Contact the RI USDA Service Center at 401-828-3120 Option 2. If you are not from Rhode Island, find your local Service Center at farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
For crop insurance, interpretation services are available through Approved Insurance Providers. Find an insurance agent by using our Agent Locator.
Find translated USDA materials at farmers.gov/translations.
2023 County Committee Elections
Farm Service Agency county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and location administration of federal farm programs. Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms.
Elections occur each year in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA). LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction.
COC Elections will occur in Local Administrative Area (LAA) # 3, Washington County, Rhode Island.
Read the COC Election factsheet for more information: Factsheet
For more information on FSA county committees, producers should contact the Rhode Island FSA County office today at 401-828-3120 Option 1 or visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Inflation Reduction Act Section 22007 - 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.
Filing an application is FREE and does not require a lawyer. The application period is open and runs through October 31, 2023.
Upcoming Sign up Deadlines for the Non Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
- September 30th Value Loss Crops; Aquaculture, Oysters, Turf Grass, Christmas trees, Floriculture (except Chrysanthemums) Mushrooms, Ginseng
- November 20th Perennial Crops, Grass, Mixed Forage, Alfalfa, Perennial Forage
- December 31st Specialty Type Crops; Honey, Maple sap
Upcoming Sign up Deadlines for Crop Insurance Under Risk Management Agency Programs.
- November 20th, Apples, Cranberries, Grapes and Peaches
Please contact either RMA or FSA to learn more about your eligibility for these Crop Insurance Coverages. Program eligibility may vary depending on the county in which the crop is grown in.
Upcoming Acreage Reporting Deadlines
- September 30th, Value Loss Crops such as Aquaculture, Oysters, Floriculture, Turf grass sod, Christmas Trees, Floriculture (except Chrysanthemums) Mushrooms, Ginseng
- January 2nd, Honey (beehive colonies)and Maple Sap
- January 15th, Apples Cranberries, Grapes and Peaches
Disaster Declarations
Farmers in the following counties are eligible for Emergency Loans through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Secretarial Designation S5482
For Excessive Rain and Flooding 07/02/2023 and continuing
Rhode Island Contiguous Counties: Kent and Washington
Emergency Loan Application Deadline: 05/06/2024
Secretarial Designation S5475
For Rain and Flooding 07/09/2023-07/16/2023
Rhode Island Contiguous Counties: Bristol, Newport and Providence
Emergency Loan Application Deadline: 03/31/2024
Secretarial Designation S5450
For Frost and Freeze 05/18/2023-05/18/2023
Rhode Island Contiguous Counties: Kent, Providence and Washington
Emergency Loan Application Deadline: 03/25/2024
Secretarial Designation S5446
For Freeze 05/17/2023-05/18/2023
Rhode Island Contiguous Counties: Bristol, Newport, Providence
Emergency Loan Application Deadline: 03/11/2024
For more information, please contact the Rhode Island FSA Farm Loan Team at 401-828-3120 Option 2.
Farming Success Stories
Visit the Farm Service Agency Fencepost Blog to view all stories.
To read success stories published for Rhode Island click here.
If you are interesting in submitting a success story, please contact the Rhode Island State Office at 401-828-3120 Option 3.
ASK USDA
Ask USDA is an online resource that helps you easily find information and answers to your USDA questions in one place. Ask USDA has information about all USDA programs, including USDA loans, farm and conservation programs.
Through Ask USDA you can:
- Access our knowledge base 24/7
- Ask questions through phone, email or online chat
- Receive a timely response from USDA experts
USDA’s self-service assistance anytime, anywhere!
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