Massachusetts News Releases

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USDA Announces Details of Assistance for Farmers Impacted by Unjustified Retaliation

Tue Aug 28, 2018 08:55 AM

(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 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.
USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool

Tue Apr 3, 2018 12:36 PM

WASHINGTON, 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.
Trump Administration Appoints Ed Davidian to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Massachusetts

Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:43 PM

AMHERST, MA - Feb. 20, 2018- The Trump Administration recently appointed Ed Davidian as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Massachusetts Farm Service Agency (FSA). Davidian began his new position on Feb. 20, 2018.
Farm Service Agency – A Vital Source of Assistance to Farmers and Ranchers

Thu Dec 21, 2017 12:23 PM

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.
USDA Offers Targeted Farm Loan Funding for Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers

Fri Oct 13, 2017 09:32 AM

(AMHERST, MA), October 12, 2017 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Massachusetts Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director Daniel Smiarowski reminds producers that FSA offers specially targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers.
Massachusetts Producers Have Until Aug. 1, to Submit FSA County Committee Nominations

Wed Jul 19, 2017 08:14 AM

AMHERST, MA, July 19, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director for Massachusetts, Daniel Smiarowski, today reminded farmers that they have until Aug. 1, 2017, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees.
USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15

Thu May 25, 2017 01:56 PM

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.
Farm Service Agency Extends Voting Deadline for County Committee Elections

Wed Nov 30, 2016 11:08 AM

AMHERST, MA, Nov. 29, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Massachusetts Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Jon Niedzielski today announced that the deadline to submit ballots for the 2016 County Committee Elections has been extended to ensure farmers 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.
FSA County Committee Elections to Begin; Producers to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 7

Thu Nov 3, 2016 01:00 PM

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 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.
USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Massachusetts Farmers in Response to 2015 Market Downturn

Tue Oct 11, 2016 01:02 PM

(Amherst, MA), October 7, 2016 – USDA Massachusetts Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Jon Niedzielski announced that approximately 1,162 Massachusetts 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.
Livestock Producers in 11 Massachusetts Counties May Be Eligible for 2016 Drought Disaster Assistance

Tue Sep 20, 2016 01:44 PM

AMHERST, MA - September 19, 2016 – Jon Niedzielski, the State Executive Director (SED) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Massachusetts, announced today that livestock producers in 11 Massachusetts counties may be eligible for assistance from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses incurred in 2016.
USDA Designates 11 Counties in Massachusetts as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

Tue Sep 20, 2016 11:26 AM

WASHINGTON, Sep. 15, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 counties in Massachusetts as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by frost and freeze that occurred from February 14 through May 4, 2016. Those counties are: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Worcester.
USDA Designates 3 Counties in New Hampshire as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Massachusetts

Thu Aug 25, 2016 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hillsboro, Merrimack and Rockingham counties in New Hampshire as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought.
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 Producers, Including Beginning and Underserved Farmers, Have a New Option to Gain Access to Land

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.
December USDA Begins 49th Enrollment Period for the Conservation Reserve Program December 2015 Marks 30th Anniversary for the Nation's Most Successful Voluntary Conservation Program

Tue Dec 1, 2015 01:00 PM

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.
USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Massachusetts Farmers Facing Market Downturn

Tue Nov 10, 2015 01:00 PM

(AMHERST, Mass.), Nov. 10, 2015 – USDA Massachusetts Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Jon Niedzielski announced that approximately 536 Massachusetts farms who enrolled in the new safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will soon begin receiving financial assistance for the 2014 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.
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

Tue Oct 27, 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.
USDA Extends Dairy Margin Protection Program Deadline

Tue Sep 22, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the deadline to enroll for the dairy Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016 has been extended until Nov. 20, 2015. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, 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.
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 Designates 34 Counties in New York as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

Wed Sep 9, 2015 01:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Sep. 9, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 34 counties in New York, in three separate disaster designations, as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by multiple disasters.
USDA Commodity Loans Available to Massachusetts Producers

Wed Sep 9, 2015 01:00 PM

(Amherst, MA), September 9, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Massachusetts Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Jon Niedzielski 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.