USDA Designates Wheeler County, Texas, as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available
USDA Updates Farm Loan Programs to Increase Equity
WASHINGTON, March 8, 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 Administrator Makes Emergency Loans Available to Two Iowa Counties
Farm Service Agency Administrator, Zach Ducheneaux is making Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency physical loss loans available to nine (9) primary counties in Illinois due to physical damage and losses caused by a derecho and tornadoes that occurred June 29, 2023, through June 30, 2023. In addition, two (2) Iowa counties, Des Moines and Lee, are named as contiguous to the disaster area.
USDA Stands Up New Team to Better Serve Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Missouri
Contact:
Jessica Claypole
jessica.claypole@usda.gov
COLUMBIA, MO, August 4, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers.
New Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture to Meet March 23-24
WASHINGTON, March 8, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the first public meeting of the inaugural Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on March 23-24, 2022. The public – including urban producers– is encouraged to attend.
USDA Designates Multiple Iowa Counties as Disaster Areas Due to Drought Conditions
A Secretarial Disaster Designation has been issued for 10 counties in Iowa as primary disaster areas for drought. Additionally, 25 Iowa counties are contiguous to the disaster area. This determination will allow the Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Loans to be made available to eligible family farmers with qualifying production and physical losses in the primary and the contiguous counties to the declared disaster area.
Secretarial Declaration Number: S5486
Emergency Loan Application Deadline: April 15, 2024
USDA Accepting Proposals for State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative
Contact: Jessica Claypole
jessica.claypole@usda.gov
(573)-876-0935
COLUMBIA, MO, May 21, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting new or modified proposals from state governments for its State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative. Through SAFE, vital habitat is restored to meet high-priority state wildlife conservation goals. The deadline to submit proposals is June 19.
New Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture to Meet March 23-24
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the first public meeting of the inaugural Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on March 23-24, 2022. The public – including urban producers– is encouraged to attend.
USDA Disaster Designation Issued to Assist Producers Recovering From Recent Severe Weather
Administrator Zach Ducheneaux is making Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency physical loss loans available in 29 Illinois counties due to physical damage and losses caused by tornadoes, high winds, lightning, and hail that occurred March 31, 2023, through April 16, 2023. In addition, 72 counties in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin are named as contiguous counties.