Farm Service Agency

USDA Expands Aid for Farmers Affected by Hurricane Helene

October 7, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated communities, homes, farms and businesses across parts of the Southeast, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has deployed staff to assist with response and recovery efforts.

USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Organic Certification Costs

August 10, 2020 | Posted in Economics

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020.

Late Corn Harvest, Wet Spring Leads to Prevent Planting

July 20, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: Capital Journal (Pierre, SD)

For the first time ever, the Ed and Andrew Askegaard families are using their prevented-planting insurance. “Here we are,” Ed said, “after Memorial Day, harvesting our COVID-19 corn." Read more in this article from the Capital Journal (Pierre, SD).

USDA Announces Flexibilities for Producers Filing ‘Notice of Loss’ for Failed, Prevented Planted Acres

July 8, 2020 | Posted in Economics

The USDA is providing additional flexibilities for producers to file on acres with failed crops or crops that were prevented from planting because of extreme weather events. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is adding these flexibilities for Notice of Loss on both insured and uninsured crops to enable Service Centers to best assist producers.

USDA Launches Pilot Program for Prairie Pothole Producers Planting Cover Crops

February 28, 2020 | Posted in Economics

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a new pilot program that enables farmers in the Prairie Pothole region to receive payments for planting cover crops on their land for three to five years. The new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) pilot is available to producers in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Third Set of 2019 MFP Payments Coming This Week

February 3, 2020 | Posted in Economics

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the third and final tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments. The payments will begin to show up in farmers’ bank accounts by the end of this week.

Partnership on Ground Floor of Cover Crop Trials

July 31, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgriNews

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s planted acreage report indicated nationwide 15.3 million intended corn acres and 33 million intended soybean acres remained unplanted through the first two weeks of June, according to this article from AgriNews.

Cover Crops Eligible for USDA FSA Market Facilitation Program Payments

July 25, 2019 | Posted in Economics

USDA officials held a conference call on July 25 announcing further details of the $16 billion package to support American farmers. One of the highlights was new information on the Market Facilitation Program (MFP).