(Hilo, Hawaii), September 19, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Lester Ueda today announced that Hawaii County is approved to accept applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Lane. ECP signup will begin on September 21, 2018, and end on October 23, 2018.
(Kahului, Hawaii), September 19, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director James Robello today announced that Maui County is approved to accept applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Lane. ECP signup will begin on September 21, 2018, and end on October 23, 2018.
(Washington, D.C., August 27, 2018) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of actions the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified rtaliation by foreign nations. President Donald J. Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a short-term relief strategy to protect agricultural producers wile the Administration works on free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals to open more markets in the long run to help American farmers compete globally.
Honolulu, Hawaii, July 16, 2018 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii State and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director AL Frenzel today announced to farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous continental United States that the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2018 will begin on July 16, 2018 and end on September 7, 2018.
WASHINGTON, May 31, 2018 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting disaster assistance program applications on June 4 from agricultural producers who suffered livestock, honeybees, farm-raised fish and other losses due to natural disasters.
USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reopening the application period for two disaster assistance programs in response to statutory changes made by Congress earlier this year.
(Dallas, TX, May 31, 2018) - U.S. Secretary f 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.
Giving Farmers a Voice in their Community
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2018 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages America's farmers and ranchers to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their local county committee. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept nominations for county committee members beginning Friday, June 15, 2018.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Kauai County in Hawaii as a primary disaster area due to losses and damages caused by record-breaking rainfall, excessive flooding and massive landslides that occurred from April 13, 2018, through April 20, 2018.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Richard Fordyce to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). In his role, Fordyce will provide leadership for FSA and its mission to support agricultural production across America through a network of over 2,100 county and 50 state offices.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced another year of high activity in its farm loan programs. Hard-working farm families across the country accessed nearly $6 billion in new credit, either directly or guaranteed through commercial lenders in 2017. At year end, FSA was assisting more than 120,000 family farmers with loans totaling just over $25 billion.
Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2018 - U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the individuals who will serve on the Hawaii 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
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 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.
“We’ve seen recent challenges in farm income and commodity prices,” said Dr. Robert Johansson, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for the Farm Production and Conservation mission area. “The ‘safety net’ provided in the 2014 Farm Bill has helped producers withstand economic losses as well as losses resulting from natural disasters. Loans for operating expenses, farm purchases and other purposes help current producers stay in business and allow a new generation of farmers and ranchers get their start.”
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Kauai County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.
The county listed above was designated a natural disaster area on Nov. 21, 2017, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for FSA’s emergency (EM) loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.
HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Nov. 28, 2017- The Trump Administration recently appointed Allen “AL” Frenzel as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Hawaii Farm Service Agency (FSA). Frenzel joined the Hawaii FSA team on Monday, Nov. 27.
Frenzel is an entrepreneur who recently owned and operated several businesses in Hawaii, including consulting services in the area of logistics, leadership and business optimization. He is a logistics management professional who previously worked for Defense Logistics Agency on the United States Pacific Command staff after retiring as an Army Colonel with 27 years of active service. He served as a Professor and Director of Logistics Management at the U.S. Army War College. Originally an agriculture student at the University of Nevada-Reno, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Texas College and his Master of Science in business administration from Boston University.
Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 15, 2017 – Hawaii State and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director Steve Peterson today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2017 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 4, 2017, to ensure that their vote is counted.
(Honolulu, Hawaii), October 31, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Active Executive Director Steve Peterson reminds producers that FSA offers specially targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.
“Each year, a portion of FSA’s loan funds are set aside to lend to targeted underserved and beginning farmers and ranchers,” said Peterson. “Farming and ranching is a capital intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers start and maintain their agricultural operations.”
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Maui County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.
Farmers and ranchers in Kalawao County in Hawaii also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their county is contiguous.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 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.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2017 — In response to a request from Steve Peterson, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) acting State Executive Director in Hawaii, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hawaii County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.
Honolulu, Hawaii, July 25, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii State and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director Steve Peterson recently announced to farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous continental United States that the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2017 began on July 17, 2017, and ends on Sept. 8, 2017.
WASHINGTON, May 25, 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.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 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.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced cooperative agreements with 46 partners to educate producers, including those who have been historically underserved by USDA programs, about Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that provide financial, disaster or technical support. Nearly $2.5 million will go to nonprofits and universities that will provide training and access to FSA programs, financial resources and other information.
Allows for Transfer of Certain Conservation Reserve Program Land to New Farmers; Provides Priority Enrollment in Working Lands Conservation Programs
DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 29, 2016 – Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Lanon Baccam today announced that beginning Jan. 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer an early termination opportunity for certain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, making it easier to transfer property to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including family members. The land that is eligible for the early termination is among the least environmentally sensitive land enrolled in CRP.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 – 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 2016 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 5, 2016, to ensure that their vote is counted.
Honolulu, HAWAII, August 29, 2016 - Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a number of loan programs available to assist applicants to begin or continue in agriculture production. Loans are available for operating type loans and/or to purchase or improve farms or ranches.
Honolulu, HAWAI, July 25, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Diane Ley, today reminded farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers that they have until Aug. 1, 2016, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees.
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.
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees is open for the 2016 election process.
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.
WASHINGTON, April 13, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hawaii County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Maui County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
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.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2015 – This year, millions of rural businesses and families were positively impacted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments in their communities. Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a list of USDA's top achievements in 2015, demonstrating USDA's efforts to help farmers and ranchers bring their products to tables domestically and abroad, build critical infrastructure in America's rural areas, conserve our nation's natural resources through long-lasting partnerships, and continuously work toward improving the lives of all Americans
WASHINGTON, Dec. 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.
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed members of the USDA Minority Farmers Advisory Committee (MFAC). The committee provides farmer, rancher, industry and public perspectives on USDA strategies, policies and programs that impact minority farmers and ranchers.
Honolulu, Hawaii, October 9, 2015 - USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is partnering with the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) to host workshops to assist producers in better understanding the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), and how the program can assist in financial recovery from natural disasters. Workshop highlights will include:
Hilo, Hawaii, October 8, 2015 - Commercial agricultural producers in Hawaii County, whose operations suffered physical damage or losses caused by flash flooding that occurred August 24, 2015 through September 27, 2015, may be eligible for Emergency Loans through the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Honolulu, Hawaii, October 8, 2015 - Producers who filed a timely application with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the 2015 Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (RTCP) have until November 3, 2015 to bring their supporting receipts and documentation to the FSA County Office.
Barrigada, Guam, Sept. 23, 2015 - Today, Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Farm Service Agency County Executive Director Thomas Camacho announced the extension of the deadline to sign up for Reimbursement of Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) to October 9, 2015 for CNMI producers. This extension will assist producers who have had problems accessing communication systems following Typhoon Soudelor and may have missed the program deadline.
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.
Honolulu, Hawaii, August 31, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hawaii and Pacific Basin State Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Diane Ley announced that beginning July 20, farmers and ranchers residing outside the contiguous continental United States can enroll in the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2015. Applicants must submit their application to their administrative county FSA office by Sept. 11, 2015. Applicants will have until Nov. 2, 2015, to provide supporting documentation.
Honolulu, Hawaii, August 21, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Diane Ley reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Kauai and Maui counties in Hawaii as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.
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.
Honolulu, Hawaii, June 3, 2015 - The Hawaii and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for low interest loans available through the FSA direct farm ownership program. Applications must be approved by September 30, 2015, to take advantage of the funding available.
WASHINGTON, June 1, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that incentives will resume this summer for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners interested in growing and harvesting biomass for renewable energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. BCAP provides financial assistance to establish and maintain new crops of energy biomass, or who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a qualifying energy facility.
MILWAUKEE, May 29, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that an additional 800,000 acres of highly environmentally sensitive land may be enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under certain wetland and wildlife initiatives that provide multiple benefits on the same land.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers that the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA service center by June 1, 2015, in order to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support.
(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 24, 2015 – Farmers and ranchers in the counties of Hawaii and Honolulu who suffered damages from severe winds on January 2-3, 2015 may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). A qualifying producer may receive cost share assistance up to 75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures, such as debris removal or repair of conservation practices. No producer is eligible to receive more than $200,000 per natural disaster occurrence.
March 16, 2015 - Agricultural producers negatively impacted by Tropical Storm Bavi may be eligible for disaster assistance through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) if they are signed up for the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and file a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) within 72 hours for hand-harvested crops under the new provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill.
(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 10, 2015 - Commercial agricultural producers on Hawaii Island, who were negatively impacted by the volcanic eruption and lava flow from Kilauea Volcano, may be eligible for Emergency Loans through the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).
(Honolulu, Hawaii) March 3, 2015 - Financial assistance is available for farmers and ranchers who have debris to remove or conservation practices to repair as a result of the high winds that occurred in Hawaii and Honolulu Counties on January 2-3, 2015. According to Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Diane Ley, a total of $1.4 million in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funding has been requested to assist producers recover from damages caused by the high winds. Eligible producers will receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost of the approved practice, as determined by the FSA County Committee.
Honolulu, Hawaii, February 06, 2015 — Agricultural producers whose operations suffered severe physical losses caused by high winds and flooding that occurred January 2-3, 2015 in the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu may qualify for a Farm Service Agency (FSA) Emergency Physical Loss Loan.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds livestock producers that the Jan. 30, 2015, deadline to request assistance for losses suffered from Oct. 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2014, is fast approaching.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation's dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety-net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.