(SPRINGFIELD, IL), November 13, 2018 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director William Graff reminds Illinois producers who experienced losses from natural disasters during the 2017 and 2018 calendar years that they may be eligible for assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
(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 25, 2018 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 38 Missouri counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to a recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.
(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.
Farmers, Ranchers and Foresters Encouraged to Sign-In/Sign-Up
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – October 17, 2018 - Farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers in Illinois have new online options to access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Through USDA’s new streamlined process producers can now register, track and manage their applications for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) and 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP) on the secure and convenient https://www.farmers.gov/sign-in.
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), September 6, 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.
(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.
(SPRINGFIELD, IL), 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 retaliation by foreign nations. President Donald J. Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a short-term relief strategy to protect agricultural producers while the Administration works on free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals to open more markets in the long run to help American farmers compete globally. As announced last month, USDA will authorize up to $12 billion in programs, consistent with our World Trade Organization obligations.
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 28, 2018 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated four counties in Missouri as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Clark, Jackson, Lewis and Worth counties who suffered losses due to drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.
(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 22, 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 Adams and Hancock Counties. 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.
Producers Must File by August 17, One-Year Extension Available to Holders of Many Expiring Contracts
(SPRINGFIELD, IL), August 8, 2018 – Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce reminded producers today that the deadline to sign up for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is Friday, Aug. 17, 2018.
(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, June 14, 2018 - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the re-enrollment deadline for the Margin Protection Program (MPP) for Dairy will be extended until June 22, 2018. The new and improved program 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 has already issued more than $89 million for margins triggered in February, March, and April, and USDA offices are continuing to process remaining payments daily.
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, 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.
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.
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, May 29, 2018 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds dairy farmers of the June 1 deadline to enroll in the improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). Many producers will see payments in early June, depending on the coverage they elect.
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, May 16, 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.
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.
$34 Million in Payments for 2017 Losses Part of Broad Suite of Programs Aiding Ag Operations
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, April 9, 2018 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $34 million to help agricultural producers recover from 2017 natural disasters through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), which covers losses not covered by certain other USDA disaster assistance programs. These payments are being made available today, and they are part of a broader USDA effort to help producers recover from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, wildfires and drought. A large portion of this assistance will be made available in federally designated disaster areas.
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, March 27, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eight counties in Missouri as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.
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 16, 2018 - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of two members to serve three-year terms on the Popcorn Board.
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, January 4, 2018 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a slate of Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee Appointees. State committees are selected by the Secretary, serve at the pleasure of the Secretary, and are responsible for carrying out FSA’s farm programs within delegated authorities.
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 29, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, SED William J. Graff, today reminded farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers that FSA county committee elections began November 6, 2017 with the mailing of ballots. Eligible voters must return ballots to their local FSA offices by December 4, 2017, to ensure that their vote is counted. Producers who have not received their ballot should pick one up at their local FSA office.
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.
Farmers and Ranchers Have a Voice in Local Farm Program Decisions
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, November 2, 2017 –Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director Rick Graden today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2017 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, November 6, 2017. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by December 4, 2017, to ensure that their vote is counted.
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 24, 2017 – USDA Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director, (SED) Rick Graden announced over 125,000 Illinois farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2016 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, 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, October 3, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that over $9.6 billion in payments will be made, beginning this week, to producers through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing approximately $8 billion in payments under the ARC and PLC programs for the 2016 crop year, and $1.6 billion under CRP for 2017.
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, September 11, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that starting Sept. 1, 2017, dairy producers can enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Secretary Sonny Perdue has utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018.
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.
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, July 17, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director for Illinois, Richard L. Graden, today, reminded farmers and ranchers that they have until August 1, 2017, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees.
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 – In response to a request from Kimberly Viers, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) acting State Executive Director in Missouri, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 24 counties in Missouri as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rainfall and flooding that occurred from April 24, 2017, through May 11, 2017.
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 8, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Chris Beyerhelm today announced that physical loss loans are available for 11 counties in Wisconsin. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by high winds, hail, lightning, rain, flash flooding and tornadoes that occurred May 16 through May 18, 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, May 16, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue reminds farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses that were affected by the recent severe storms and flooding that USDA has several programs that provide assistance before, during and after disasters. USDA staff in the regional, State and county offices in the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas are ready to help.
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, April 11, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Chris Beyerhelm today announced that physical loss loans are available for five counties in Missouri. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by high winds and tornadoes that occurred from Feb. 28 through March 1, 2017, may be eligible for emergency loans.
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 17, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that USDA will accept over 300,000 acres in 43 states that were offered by producers during the recent ranking period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands enrollment with emphasis placed on small-scale livestock operations. 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. Approximately 200,000 of the accepted acres were offered by small-scale livestock operations.
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 30, 2016 – Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Lanon Baccam today announced that beginning January 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.
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, ILLINOIS, December 21, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director (SED) Scherrie V. Giamanco today announced that up to 15,000 acres can be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Illinois for critical wildlife and water quality efforts.
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 - December 8, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer farmers and ranchers more opportunities to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The announcement includes new CRP practices to protect water quality and adds an additional 1.1 million acres targeted to benefit wildlife, pollinators and wetlands.
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 30, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director (SED), Scherrie V. Giamanco, announced today that the deadline to submit ballots for the 2016 County Committee Elections has been extended to ensure farmers and ranchers have sufficient time to vote. Eligible voters now have until Dec. 13, 2016 to return ballots to their local FSA offices. Producers who have not received their ballot should pick one up at their local FSA office.
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 November 7, 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, November 7, 2016. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by December 5, 2016, to ensure that their vote is counted.
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 21, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of a streamlined version of USDA guaranteed loans, which are tailored for smaller scale farms and urban producers. The program, called EZ Guarantee Loans, uses a simplified application process to help beginning, small, underserved and family farmers and ranchers apply for loans of up to $100,000 from USDA-approved lenders to purchase farmland or finance agricultural operations.
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, October 5, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that beginning today, many of the 1.7 million farms that enrolled in either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will receive safety-net payments due to market downturns during the 2015 crop year.
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.
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, Aug. 26, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase approximately 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories to assist food banks and pantries across the nation, while reducing a cheese surplus that is at its highest level in 30 years. The purchase, valued at $20 million, will be provided to families in need across the country through USDA nutrition assistance programs, while assisting the stalled marketplace for dairy producers whose revenues have dropped 35 percent over the past two years.
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, ILLINOIS) July 26, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Illinois State Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, (SED) Scherrie V. Giamanco, 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.
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, IL - July 6, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Illinois 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.
(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 3, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that producers who chose coverage from the safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, can begin visiting FSA county offices starting Dec. 7, 2015, to sign contracts to enroll in coverage for 2016. The enrollment period will continue until Aug. 1, 2016.
(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) December 1, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is expanding the availability of farm loans for Indian tribes and members to purchase tribal farmland that has multiple owners. The improved lending opportunities are possible due to new authority granted by the 2014 Farm Bill, which allows USDA to provide revolving loan funds to qualified intermediary lenders that can relend the funds to qualified tribes and individuals. The program becomes available today, Dec.1, 2015.
(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 9, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) to conduct agricultural credit training sessions in the Midwest for military veterans and beginning farmers and ranchers. States under consideration to host the workshops include Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska.
(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.
(SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS) October 27, 2015 — The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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.
(SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS) October 15, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Scherrie V. Giamanco reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs.