Search Results for keywords:"Farm Service Agency"

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is asking for public comments on changes to the information they collect for two programs: the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). These programs support farmers with disaster recovery efforts and assist with biomass production. The agency is interested in feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and impact of this data collection. Comments are due by April 13, 2021.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection requirement to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Public comments are invited on the necessity, utility, and accuracy of the information collection, as well as suggestions to minimize burden, with a deadline of March 22, 2021. This collection relates to a program allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) to use volunteers for various activities, requiring participants to complete the "Service Agreement and Attendance Record." The information helps document volunteer work for the USDA, particularly for those not receiving compensation.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced changes to the funding and payment limits for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC). The application deadline is extended to January 10, 2025, and the amount of available funding is increased by $650 million, bringing the total to $2.65 billion. Additionally, the payment limit has been raised from $125,000 to $900,000 per person or legal entity, in response to feedback about the high costs of marketing specialty crops. These adjustments are meant to better support specialty crop producers in marketing their products effectively.

The Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program has been established by the Farm Service Agency, under the Department of Agriculture, to assist farmers who experienced eligible crop quality losses due to natural disasters like hurricanes, droughts, and floods in 2018 and 2019. Additionally, the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) has been updated to include excessive moisture and droughts from that same period as qualifying disasters. The final rule aligns with the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, ensuring appropriate disaster relief support is provided and clarifying sugar beet eligibility for compensation. Farmers must provide documentation by March 19, 2021, and comments on this rule are open until March 8, 2021.

The Department of Agriculture has finalized a rule superseding the interim rule to establish the Domestic Hemp Production Program, as required by the 2018 Farm Bill. This rule outlines regulations for State and Tribal plans and a Federal plan for hemp production where State or Tribal plans are not USDA-approved. The program details requirements for record-keeping, THC level testing, disposal of non-compliant plants, producer licensing, and overall compliance. The rule also specifies procedures for land use data collection and cooperation with law enforcement and other agricultural agencies.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the USDA issued a correction to their Farm Loan Programs Debt Settlement regulations. This amendment removes an incorrect word in the regulations that were previously updated on June 17, 2020. Specifically, the word “or” at the end of a sentence in 7 CFR 761.403(c)(3) is removed, and the sentence is corrected to end with a period. These changes are effective as of February 22, 2021.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced the funding for the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), as part of the 2025 American Relief Act. This program will provide financial aid to eligible producers of specific crops affected by natural disasters in the 2024 crop year. Eligible commodities include wheat, corn, soybeans, and several other crops, and financial limits apply depending on the income of the producer from farming. Applications are open until August 15, 2025, and the necessary steps and documentation for applying have been outlined by the FSA.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking for comments on extending a current information collection related to the "Measurement Service Record." This record is used by producers who need measurement services for acreage or production, requiring them to fill out a form and pay a fee. The FSA collects information for creating records of requests and payments and documenting service results. The deadline for submitting comments is May 19, 2025.