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Articles written by Farm Service Agency


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  • Farmers, Ranchers Now Can Make USDA Farm Loan Payments Online

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Feb 28, 2024

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that most farm loan borrowers are able to make payments to their direct loans online through the Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, especially for producers who may have limited time during the planting or harvest seasons to visit a local FSA office; modernize and improve customer service; provide additional customer self-service tools; and expand credit access to assist more p...

  • USDA Reminds Specialty Crop Growers of Deadline to Apply for Assistance for 2023 On-Farm Food Safety Expenses

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Jan 3, 2024

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop growers that assistance is available for producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification through the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program. Producers can apply for assistance on their calendar year 2023 expenses through Jan. 31, 2024. “The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops program is just one of the many ways USDA is helping support local and regional food systems and o...

  • USDA Now Accepting Applications For Farm Loans Online

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Dec 13, 2023

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan. This tool is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, im...

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency Designates 10 Montana Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Nov 29, 2023

    This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. Impacted...

  • USDA to Provide More Than $3 Billion To Commodity And Specialty Crop Producers Impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Nov 8, 2023

    The U. S Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide more than $3 billion to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2022. Eligible impacted producers can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022. The program will help offset the financial impacts of crop yield and value losses from qualifying disasters occurring in 2022. “2022 was another year of weather-related challenges — for some, the third consecutive year or more in a row. The financial impact to a family farm...

  • USDA To Begin Issuing $1.75 Billion To Agricultural Producers Through Critical Emergency Relief Programs

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Oct 11, 2023

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will begin issuing more than $1.75 billion in emergency relief payments to eligible farmers and livestock producers. These much-needed payments are helping farming and ranching operations recover following natural disasters in 2020, 2021 and 2022. “USDA provides substantial economic support for America’s farmers and ranchers through its critical farm program payments. These payments are reflective of the incredible and cumulative financial hits brought on by devastating nat...

  • USDA Provides Payments Of Nearly $800 Million In Assistance To Farmers

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Nov 30, 2022

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that distressed borrowers with qualifying USDA farm loans have already received nearly $800 million in assistance, as part of the $3.1 billion in assistance for distressed farm loan borrowers provided through Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA directed USDA to expedite assistance to distressed borrowers of direct or guaranteed loans administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) whose operations face financial risk. The announcement kicks off a process to p...

  • USDA Updates Farm Loan Programs to Increase Equity

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Mar 16, 2022

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating its farm loan programs to better support current borrowers, including historically underserved producers. These improvements are part of USDA’s commitment to increase equity in all programs, including farm loans that provide important access to capital for covering operating expenses and purchasing land and equipment.   “USDA remains committed to examining barriers faced by all borrowers, especially those in economic distress, new and beginning, socially disadvantaged or otherwise underse...

  • USDA Offers Farm Loans For Underserved And Beginning Farmers And Ranchers

    Farm Service Agency, For the Courier|Mar 16, 2022

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that FSA offers farm ownership and farm operating loans to underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers. Underserved or beginning farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for FSA direct or guaranteed loans. “Farming and ranching is a capital-intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers start and maintain their agricultural operations,” said FSA Acting State Executive Director in Mon...