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USDA Launches Trade Mitigation Programs

Wed Sep 5, 2018 12:00 PM

(Washington, D.C., September 4, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of certain commodities can now sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), while USDA will also begin to purchase identified commodities under a food purchase and distribution program. Additionally, USDA has begun accepting proposals for the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP), which will help American farmers find and access new markets for their products. In total, USDA will authorize up to $12 billion in programs, consistent with World Trade Organization obligations.
USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Safety Net Coverage for 2018

Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:28 AM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting Nov. 1, 2017, farmers and ranchers with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net program may enroll for the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will end on Aug. 1, 2018.
USDA Designates Cumberland County in Maine as a Primary Natural Disaster Area

Thu Sep 29, 2016 12:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Sep. 29, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Cumberland County in Maine as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought.
USDA Designates 2 Counties in New Hampshire as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Tue Sep 6, 2016 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON, Sep. 2, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Cheshire and Strafford counties in New Hampshire as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought.
USDA Designates 8 Counties in New Hampshire as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

Thu Aug 25, 2016 11:28 AM

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eight counties in New Hampshire as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by freeze and unseasonably warm temperatures that occurred from Feb. 1, 2016, through April 30, 2016.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Proclaims August 7-13 National Farmers Market Week

Mon Jul 11, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2016 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 7-13, 2016, as National Farmers Market Week. This year marks the 17th annual National Farmers Market Week to honor and celebrate the important role that farmers markets play in local economies.
Dairy Producers Can Enroll Today to Protect Milk Production Margins

Thu Jun 30, 2016 01:00 PM

BANGOR, ME - June 30, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Maine today announced that dairy producers can enroll for 2017 coverage in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) starting July 1. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the producer.
Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15

Wed Jun 15, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins today, Wednesday, June 15, 2016.
USDA Extends Deadline for Recording Farm Structure

Fri May 27, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a one-time, 30-day extension to the June 1 deadline for recording farm organization structures related to Actively Engaged in Farming determinations. This date is used to determine the level of interest an individual holds in a legal entity for the applicable program year. Farming operations will now have until July 1 to complete their restructuring or finalize any operational change. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the extension in response to farmers and ranchers who requested more time to comply, and to assure that everyone has enough time to provide their information under the new rules.
USDA Offers Targeted Farm Loan Funding for Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers

Tue May 24, 2016 01:00 PM

BANGOR, ME – May 24, 2016 - USDA Maine Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, SED Donovan E. Todd, III, reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.
USDA Offers New Loans for Portable Farm Storage and Handling Equipment

Mon May 2, 2016 01:00 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 2, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Elanor Starmer announced changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program today during a local and regional food roundtable in Columbus, Ohio. The loans, which now include a smaller microloan option with lower down payments, are designed to help producers, including new, small and mid-sized producers, grow their businesses and markets.
USDA Establishes New Partnerships to Link Underserved Farmers to FSA Programs

Wed Apr 27, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2016 – The U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) today announced cooperative agreements with 55 partners to educate farmers and other producers that have been underserved by USDA programs historically about Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that provide financial, disaster or technical support. Nearly $2.5 million will go to nonprofits, associations, universities, and foundations that will provide training and information on agricultural best practices, local networking opportunities, and more.
USDA Expands Safety-Net for Dairy Operations Adding Next-Generation Family Members

Tue Apr 12, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program (MPP) can now update their production history when an eligible family member joins the operation. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, protects participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below levels of protection selected by the applicant.
USDA Expands Microloans to Help Farmers Purchase Farmland and Improve Property

Tue Jan 19, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2016 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new financing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. These microloans will be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations.
FSA County Committee Elections to Begin; Producers to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 9

Thu Nov 5, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2015 - Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the 2015 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 7, 2015, to ensure that their vote is counted.
USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Farmers Facing Market Downturn

Mon Oct 26, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2015 - The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that beginning today, nearly one half of the 1.7 million farms that signed up for either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will receive safety-net payments for the 2014 crop year.
Farmers to Receive Documentation of USDA Services

Fri Oct 9, 2015 01:00 PM

(Bangor, ME), October 9, 2015 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Donovan Todd, III reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs.
USDA Commits $2.5 Million to Expand New Farmer Education

Tue Sep 22, 2015 01:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2015 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that $2.5 million in grants is now available for projects to educate new and underserved farmers about more than 20 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency programs that can provide financial, disaster or technical assistance to the agricultural community.
USDA Commodity Loans Available to Maine Producers

Tue Sep 8, 2015 01:00 PM

(Bangor, ME) September 8, 2015 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Maine Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Donovan E. Todd, III, reminds producers that USDA offers interim financing at harvest time to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell commodities when market prices are at harvest-time lows. The programs, known as Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs) and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs), were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill for the 2014-2018 crop years.
USDA Announces Incentives to Establish Biomass Crops Deadline for Incentives to Harvest Biomass Residues is Sept. 4

Wed Aug 19, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2015 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that enrollment begins today for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or biobased products within designated projects areas. The funds are available from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15

Mon Jun 8, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Monday, June 15, 2015.