(SPRINGFIELD, IL), November 2, 2018 - Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director (SED) William Graff today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible agricultural producers for the 2018 FSA county committee elections on Monday, November 5, 2018. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by December 3, 2018, to ensure their vote is counted.

(SPRINGFIELD, IL), October 23, 2018 – USDA Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, William Graff, announced that approximately $60,055,708 will be paid to Illinois farms that enrolled in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for 2017 market downturns.   Additionally, Illinois FSA will distribute $173,910,193 in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments to landowners for their commitment to conservation stewardship.

Department Amends Timeline for Hog Operations

(SPRINGFIELD, IL), September 27, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the addition of commodities to the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations.  Starting Monday, September 24, producers of shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries may apply for Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.  In addition, the timeline for hog producers has been extended.

(SPRINGFIELD, IL), August 28, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director William Graff today announced that the CP8A practice is now authorized for emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2018 in Henderson, Mercer, and Warren Counties. FSA's fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that additional assistance has been made available for pecan growers to replant and replace trees through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) as they recover from the impacts of 2017 weather events, which was made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018.

(SPRINGFIELD, IL), August 22, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director William Graff today announced that Brown, Fulton, Kankakee, Knox, Mercer, Pike, and Schuyler Counties are now authorized for emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2018. Adams, Hancock, McDonough, and Warren Counties were authorized on August 2, 2018. Henderson County was authorized on August 9, 2018. FSA's fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

(SPRINGFIELD, IL), August 9, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director William Graff today announced that Henderson County is now authorized for emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2018. Adams, Hancock, McDonough, and Warren Counties were authorized on August 2, 2018. FSA's fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

(SPRINGFIELD, IL), August 3, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director William Graff today announced that 4 counties are authorized for emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2018.  FSA's fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, May 31, 2018 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service to help military veterans obtain loans and pursue careers as farmers and ranchers.  Secretary Perdue joined local dignitaries, members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and community leaders at the Dallas Farmers Market to unveil the new pilot program.

Springfield, Illinois June 1, 2018 – As part of a 33-year effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on private lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Eligible farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can sign up at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office between June 4 and Aug. 17, 2018.

May 14, 2018 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency recently released signup information for the Tree Assistance Program, a nationwide program that provides orchardists and nursery tree growers with cost share assistance to replant eligible trees, bushes, and vines following a natural disaster.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, April 25, 2018 - Starting today, agricultural producers who have lost livestock to disease, resulting from a weather disaster, have an additional way to become eligible for a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance program. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced an administrative clarification nationwide to the Livestock Indemnity Program.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, April 3, 2018 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices.  With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 27, 2018 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the Senate’s long-awaited confirmation of Bill Northey to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Northey will serve as Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service (FFAS)*.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, January 10, 2018 - U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the individuals who will serve on the Illinois USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.  The state committee is responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving appeals from the agriculture community, and helping to keep producers informed about FSA programs.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, December 29, 2017 – Through the work of dedicated staff in over 2,100 county and state offices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides vital farm safety-net assistance to agricultural producers across America.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, November 8, 2017 – The Trump Administration recently appointed William J. Graff as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA). Graff will join the Illinois FSA team on Monday, November 13, 2017.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, October 31, 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.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, October 10, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will process many pending eligible offers for land enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and it will temporarily suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, September 22, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Steven J. Peterson today announced that physical loss loans are available for 10 counties in Iowa, due to four separate disaster events. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding, hail, high winds, lightning and tornadoes that occurred from June 22 through August 18, 2017, may be eligible for emergency loans.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, July 24, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Chris Beyerhelm today announced that physical loss loans are available for nine counties in Iowa. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding, hail, high winds, lightning and tornados that occurred from June 12 through June 17, 2017, may be eligible for emergency loans.

Illinois Producers Have until August 1, 2017 to Enroll in ARC/PLC

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, July 13, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director (SED) Richard L. Graden reminds farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1 to enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and/or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2017 crop year.  These programs trigger financial protections for participating agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, July 13, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Chris Beyerhelm today announced that physical loss loans are available for 15 counties in Iowa. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding, hail, high winds, lightning and tornadoes that occurred from May 15 through May 17, 2017, may be eligible for emergency loans.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, June 1, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, April 14, 2017 – America’s farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to strongly represent agriculture in their communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture.  Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the census, to be mailed at the end of this year, is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, March 31, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Chris Beyerhelm announced that physical loss loans are available for 15 counties in Iowa.  Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by hail, high winds, lightning and tornadoes that occurred on March 6, 2017, may be eligible for emergency loans.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, January 12, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the expansion of a unique service for farmers and ranchers. FSA’s Bridges to Opportunity program provides a one-stop-shop that connects producers with resources, programs and educational services offered across the department, as well as from other USDA partner organizations.  Bridges to Opportunity, which currently provides enhanced customer support to more than 150,000 customers in 20 states, will expand to serve customers across the country before the end of the month using fiscal year 2016 funds.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, December 22, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting March 20, 2017, organic producers and handlers will be able to visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic or transitional certification.

SPRINGFIELD, IL, December 12, 2016 – In an effort to improve wildlife habitat and the health of private forest lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA), announced additional incentives available for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants to actively manage forest lands enrolled in the program.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS - November 30, 2016 – Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Under Secretary Alexis Taylor today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will accept more than 504,000 acres that were offered by producers during the recent ranking period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands enrollment.  Through the voluntary CRP Grasslands program, grasslands threatened by development or conversion to row crops are maintained as livestock grazing areas, while providing important conservation benefits.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, November 14, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that $1.5 million will be available in fiscal year 2017 for farmers and foresters who harvest and deliver biomass for renewable energy.  The funds are from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

SPRINGFIELD, IL October 31, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue nearly $1.7 billion in payments to more than half of a million Americans who have contracts with the government to protect sensitive agricultural lands. The investment, part of the voluntary USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), will allow producers to protect almost 24 million acres of wetlands, grasslands and wildlife habitat in 2016.

SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS, October 7, 2016 – USDA Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Scherrie V. Giamanco announced that approximately 158,622 Illinois farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2015 crop year.  The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues due to market downturns.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, September 2, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that additional funding will be made available to assist more than 1,900 approved applicants who are awaiting farm operating loans. The funds, which were reprogrammed by FSA with the approval of Congress, will leverage up to $185 million in additional lending for direct and guaranteed farm operation loans and will allow the agency to address up to 30 percent of its projected shortfall of funds until the next federal fiscal year resumes on Oct. 1.

May/June 2016 Average Margins Below $6

SPRINGFIELD,ILLINOIS, Aug. 5, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to American dairy producers enrolled in the 2016 Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The payment rate for May/June 2016 will be the largest since the program began in 2014. The narrowing margin between milk prices and the cost of feed triggered the payments, as provided for by the 2014 Farm Bill.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - July 22, 2016 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director (SED) Scherrie V. Giamanco reminds farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1 to enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and/or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2016 crop year.

(SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS) December 16, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today finalized a rule to ensure that farm safety-net payments are issued only to active managers of farms that operate as joint ventures or general partnerships, consistent with the direction and authority provide by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill. The action, which exempts family farm operations, closes a loophole where individuals who were not actively part of farm management still received payments.

(SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS) December 1, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the next general enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) begins today, Dec. 1, 2015, and ends on Feb. 26, 2016. December 2015 also marks the 30th anniversary of CRP, a federally funded program that assists agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.

(SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS) November 16, 2015 — USDA Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Scherrie V. Giamanco announced that program benefits for the 2014 crop year will be issued for approximately 54,000 Illinois farms enrolled in the new safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues due to market downturns.

(SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS) November 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.