Welcome to the USDA-Illinois Farm Service Agency
William J. Graff, State Executive Director
Springfield, Illinois
Stabilizing farm income, helping farmers conserve land and water resources, providing credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and helping farm operations recover from the effects of disaster are the missions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). FSA was set up when the Department was reorganized in 1994; though its name has changed over the years, the Agency’s relationship with farmers goes back to the 1930s. At that time, Congress set up a unique system under which Federal farm programs are administered locally. Farmers who are eligible to participate in these programs elect a three- to five-person county committee, which reviews county office operations and makes decisions on how to apply the programs. This grassroots approach gives farmers a much-needed say in how Federal actions affect their communities and their individual operations. After more than 60 years, it remains a cornerstone of FSA’s efforts to preserve and promote American agriculture.
Illinois Farm Service Agency State Committee
State Committee Chairperson
- Jim Reed
State Committee Members
- Melanie DeSutter
- George Obernagel
- Troy Uphoff
The State Committee responsibilities cover four major areas. They consist of the FSA and CCC commodity and conservation programs, COC operations, policy determinations and information available to public.
The State Committee, in conjunction with the SED, in carrying out responsibilities, determine and advise the COC’s of applicable program and administrative policies as authorized by: applicable regulations, instructions and procedures. This may involve applying national programs to meet local needs and conditions and exercising judgment based on the effect of program rules on producers.
For additional Organizational Structure please visit our FSA Structure and Organization webpage.
State Office Newsletters
All State Office Newsletters can be found by selecting the link “Newsletters” under Browse by subject on the left of each corresponding page.
Illinois News Releases
All News Releases can be found by selecting the link “State News Releases” under Browse by subject on the left of each corresponding page.
Spotlights
Sign in/Sign up!
Farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers have new online options to access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Through USDA’s new streamlined process, producers doing business as an individual 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 www.farmers.gov. USDA eAuthentication does not have the mechanism to issue login accounts to businesses, corporations, other entities, or for anyone acting on behalf of another individual or entity. Producers, doing business as an individual, first need to sign up for Level 2 eAuthentication access.
- Step 1: Create and online account at www.eauth.usda.gov
- Step 2: Complete identity verification by either using the online self-service identity verification method or by completing the identity verification in-person at your USDA Service Center.
- Step 3: Contact your local USDA Service Center to have your new Level 2 account linked with your USDA customer record
- Step 4: You’re enrolled and ready to log in
Users with a secure Level 2 eAuthentication ID, linked to their USDA customer record, can apply for select USDA programs, view and print farm maps and farm records data. Enrolling is easy! Visit farmers.gov/sign-in to learn more.
To locate a service center near you or use online services not requiring eAuthentication access, visit www.farmers.gov. For technical assistance, call the eAuthentication help desk at 1-800-457-3642.
Lead Your FSA: 2018 FSA County Committee Election – Vote Today!
Elections are taking place now for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. Eligible voters started receiving ballots the week of Nov. 5, 2018.
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Farmers and ranchers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, may also be eligible to vote.
County committees are unique to FSA and serve as a direct link between agricultural communities across the country and USDA. Stop by your local FSA office to learn about the candidates running in your area or look for information in your local FSA GovDelivery monthly electronic bulletin. Not receiving our emails? Sign up today!
Make your vote count! All ballots must be returned to your local FSA office, or postmarked no later than, Dec. 3, 2018.
For more information on FSA county committees, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
New Feature on Farmers.gov
Farmers.gov just launched a new soil health page – farmers.gov/soilhealth. It’s the first of many topic pages which the site will feature, focusing on the needs of farmers, ranchers, and forest stewards. Visit the page and submit feedback to the farmers.gov team.
Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Launch June 15
The nomination period for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committees runs June 15 through Aug. 1, 2018, and elections will take place starting in November.
County committees are unique to FSA and serve as a direct link between agricultural communities across the country and USDA. FSA’s been across the country interviewing current committee members to spotlight their involvement in their county. Read what they have to say and check back each week.
For more information on FSA county committees, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Perdue Announces Farm Service Agency State Committee Appointees
The National Office hosts a variety of Webinars regarding various subjects.
Below is a link that will connect you to the Webinars site. Feel free to participate and share these open webinars with anyone in your area that may be interested.
Outreach and Education Webinars
Conduct USDA Business Online by creating an eAuthentication account
eAuthentication Account Registration
Introducing FSAfarm+ -- FSA’s Customer Self-Service Portal--
A fast and easy way to access your FSA farm information, plus a lot more!
- Access your customer profile, farm records information and your maps.
- Print your farm records information, including crop bases and yields.
- Print your maps to use when reporting your annual crop acreage information.
- Export your field boundaries as common land unit for sharing with your crop insurance agent.
- Available to operators and owners with eAuth Level 2 access from USDA.
Contact your FSA County office for additional details and about obtaining eAuth Level 2 access to USDA.
eAuthentication Web Applications
To have news releases sent directly to your email go to the FSA subscription page.
Get the Latest Info on the Farm Bill
2014 Farm Bill General Information
Are you interested in FSA's Loan program and have questions.
Check out the FSA's Guide to Farm Loans.
This guidebook simplifies information on the types of farm loans available; how to apply for a guaranteed loan, direct loan, or land contract guarantee; what you can expect once you submit your application; and most importantly, your rights and responsibilities as an FSA customer.
Farm Loan Current Interest Rates
Farm Loan Program’s (FLP) new webpage has been launched! The new webpage is located at the following URL: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafl
FSA Offers New Loans for Portable Farm Storage and Handling Equipment
Can Help Producers Get Products to Market Quickly.
FSA provides a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment. 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. For more information, check out FSA's Farm Storage Facility Loan Program.
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Current Interest Rates
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
Illinois Drought Information
Contact your local FSA Office for additional information and other USDA benefits.
Call or Write the Illinois State Office at:
USDA-Illinois State Farm Service Agency
3500 Wabash Ave.
Springfield, Illinois 62711-8287
Phone: (217) 241-6600 Ext.2
Fax: (855) 800-1760
City of Springfield, Illinois
Located in the central part of the state, Springfield is the capital city of Illinois and the seat of Sangamon County.
Visit Springfield, Illinois / Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
History / Illinois State Capitol / Geography / Demographics / Cityscape / Culture / Economy / Law and Government / Education / Infrastructure
