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This six-week course is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing and the legal field. There will be plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting and connecting with your presenters and fellow participants. It's a relaxed, fun and dynamic way to learn, grow and meet other women in agriculture. This exciting opportunity begins on January 17, 2022 and will be held at the Divide County Courthouse. Registrations are due on January 10. Please contact the Divide County NDSU extension Service at 701-965-6501 or email Travis Binde at travis.binde@ndsu.edu to get registered to attend.
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The USDA is developing a program under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to help recover some of the feed transportation costs caused by the drought. An online tool is available to help ranchers document and estimate payments. The tool is a Microsoft Excel workbook that enables ranchers to input the information shown below to determine an estimated payment. Final payments may vary depending on eligibility. The information needed includes:
- Number of truckloads hauled this year
- Mileage per truckload hauled this year
- Share of feed cost this year (if splitting loads)
- Number of truckloads normally hauled
- Mileage per truckload normally hauled
- Share of normal feed hauled
Under the revised policy for feed transportation cost assistance, eligible ranchers will be reimbursed 60% of feed transportation costs above what would have been incurred in a normal year. Producers qualifying as underserved (socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning or military veteran) will be reimbursed for 90% of the feed transportation cost. above what would have been incurred in a normal year.
A national cost formula, as established by USDA, will be used to determine reimbursement costs which will not include the first 25 miles and distances exceeding 1,000 transportation miles. The calculation will also exclude the normal cost to transport hay or feed if the producer normally purchases some feed. For 2021, the initial cost formula of $6.60 per mile will be used (before the percentage is applied), but may be adjusted on a state or regional basis.
To be eligible for ELAP assistance, livestock must be intended for grazing and producers must have incurred feed transportation costs on or after Jan. 1, 2021. Although producers will self-certify losses and expenses to FSA, producers are encouraged to maintain good records and retain receipts and related documentation in the event these documents are requested for review by the local FSA County Committee. The deadline to file an application for payment for the 2021 program year is Jan. 31, 2022. For more information, click here.
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USDA has several fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program(EQIP),Conservation Stewardship Program(CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program(RCPP) and Agricultural Management Assistance(AMA) program.
Through conservation programs, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to help producers and landowners make conservation improvements on their land that benefit natural resources, build resiliency and contribute to the nation’s broader effort to combat the impacts of climate change.
Applying for Assistance
NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round. State Technical Committees, composed of representatives from conservation and agricultural-related organizations, work with NRCS to set state-specific, ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding. These dates account for producer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunity to apply. Producers should apply by their state’s ranking dates to be considered for funding in the current cycle.
Funding is provided through a competitive process. State-specific, ranking dates for all programs are available. Applications received after ranking dates will be automatically deferred to the next funding period.
Program Options
EQIP provides cost share assistance for producers to use 170-plus conservation practices to address a wide variety of resource concerns. Within EQIP, Conservation Incentive Contracts allow producers to further target priority resource concerns. CSP helps producers take their conservation activities to the next level through comprehensive conservation and advanced conservation activities. ACEP helps producers enroll wetlands, grasslands and farmlands into easements for long-term protection. Additionally, through RCPP, producers and landowners can work with partners who are co-investing with NRCS on targeted projects.
Historically Underserved Producer Benefits
Special provisions are also available for historically underserved producers. For EQIP, historically underserved producers are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting services up front. In addition, historically underserved producers can receive higher EQIP payment rates (up to 90% of average cost). NRCS sets aside EQIP, CSP and ACEP funds for historically underserved producers.
Conservation Practices and Climate
NRCS conservation programs play a critical role in USDA’s commitment to partnering with farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and local communities to deliver climate solutions that strengthen agricultural operations and rural America. States may prioritize a variety of voluntary conservation practices through these NRCS programs, including those that support climate-smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF).
In fiscal year 2022, EQIP and CSP will provide targeted funding for CSAF practices, and Conservation Incentive Contracts – a new EQIP program – will be available nationwide with an emphasis on CSAF practices. Building on these efforts, NRCS will also prioritize climate investments through ACEP, RCPP and Conservation Innovation Grants.
Producers, landowners and forest managers interested in applying for assistance should contact the NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.
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There are options for Farm Service Agency loan customers during financial stress. If you are a borrower who is unable to make payments on a loan, contact your local FSA Farm Loan office to learn about the options available to you.
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January 17, 2022: Office Closed in observance of MLK Jr. Day
January 31, 2022: Deadline to apply for 2021 LFP & ELAP
February 21, 2022: Office Closed in observance of Presidents' Day
March 1, 2022: Deadline to apply for 2021 LIP
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