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Farmers and ranchers working with USDA’s Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service can now sign and share documents online in just a few clicks. By using Box or OneSpan, producers can digitally complete business transactions without leaving their homes or agricultural operations. Both services are free, secure, and available for multiple FSA and NRCS programs.
Box is a secure, cloud-based site where FSA or NRCS documents can be managed and shared. Producers who choose to use Box can create a username and password to access their secure Box account, where documents can be downloaded, printed, manually signed, scanned, uploaded, and shared digitally with Service Center staff. This service is available to any FSA or NRCS customer with access to a mobile device or computer with printer connectivity.
OneSpan is a secure eSignature solution for FSA and NRCS customers. Like Box, no software downloads or eAuthentication is required for OneSpan. Instead, producers interested in eSignature through OneSpan can confirm their identity through two-factor authentication using a verification code sent to their mobile device or a personalized question and answer. Once identity is confirmed, documents can be reviewed and e-signed through OneSpan via the producer’s personal email address. Signed documents immediately become available to the appropriate Service Center staff.
Box and OneSpan are both optional services for customers interested in improved efficiency in signing and sharing documents with USDA, and they do not replace existing systems using eAuthentication for digital signature. Instead, these tools provide additional digital options for producers to use when conducting business with FSA or NRCS.
USDA Service Center staff are available to help producers get started with Box and OneSpan through a few simple steps. Please visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find your local office and let Service Center staff know you’re interested in signing and sharing documents through these new features. In most cases, one quick phone call will be all that is needed to initiate the process.
Visit farmers.gov/mydocs to learn more about Box and OneSpan, steps for getting started, and additional resources for conducting business with USDA online.
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At USDA, we are committed to helping farmers complete loan applications, environmental reviews, and other paperwork free of charge. One-on-one support is available at more than 2,300 USDA Service Centers nationwide. USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff are usually co-located at these Service Centers and can help guide farmers to the best USDA assistance based on their unique goals, whether it is loans, conservation programs, or insurance.
Service Center staff can guide farmers through the process of preparing and submitting required paperwork on their own, with no need to hire a paid preparer. Language translation service is available in all USDA Service Centers, so one-on-one assistance with a Service Center employee can be translated in real time for farmers requiring it. And while some program and loan applications do have an administrative fee for filing, there is never a charge for preparation services provided by USDA staff.
Farmers who work with the USDA Service Center can:
- Establish their farm by registering for a farm number, which is required for USDA programs and assistance.
- Learn how to meet conservation compliance provisions.
- Verify eligibility for USDA programs.
- Discuss their business and conservation goals.
- Create a conservation plan.
- Fill out and file loan and program applications.
We are committed to delivering USDA programs and services to America’s farmers and ranchers while taking safety measures in response to COVID-19. We encourage you to check the status of your local USDA Service Center and make an appointment to discuss your business needs.
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Farmers can use USDA farm ownership microloans to buy and improve property. These microloans are especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations.
Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013.
Microloans can also help with farmland and building purchases and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
To learn more about the FSA microloan program, visit fsa.usda.gov/microloans.
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Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease? NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible farmers and landowners to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources and save energy on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. Apply before April 29 for FY 2022 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. Call or email your local USDA service center today.
EQIP - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/pr/programs/financial/eqip
CSP - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/pr/programs/financial/csp/
Local service center - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/pr/contact/local/
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NRCS has over $503,000 available in 2022 to support climate-smart agriculture in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) through our new Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option.
Conservation Incentive Contracts address priority resource concerns in target areas, like sequestering carbon and improving soil health. Through these new contracts, NRCS works with farmers to improve the quality and condition of natural resources on their land using management practices like irrigation water management, grazing management and residue and tillage management to target resource concerns such as degraded soil and water quality, available water, and soil erosion.
EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts (CIC) last five years and offer farmers annual incentive payments to apply management practices. CIC also offers conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns within Puerto Rico and the USVI and build on existing conservation efforts.
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, however farmers and landowners should apply for EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts by May 6, 2022, to be considered for this year’s funding. Download our EQIP-CIC fact sheet for details or contact your local NRCS office.
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The Earth Day 2022 Theme is Invest in Our Planet.
NRCS celebrates Earth Day every day by helping farmers and landowners to adopt conservation practices and innovative technologies to protect natural resources, increase climate resilience, reduce impacts from drought and windstorms, provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife and increase profits. From improving soil health to conserving water resources and habitat for pollinators and wildlife, NRCS conservation practices help farmers become more sustainable and resilient while keeping ag lands healthy and boosting rural economies.
Among other initiatives, NRCS set aside 10 percent of our program funds this year to target forestry and wildlife practices. NRCS helps farmers and landowners apply practices like structures for wildlife, hedgerow planting, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, wildlife habitat planting, upland and wetland wildlife habitat management, forest stand improvement, tree and shrub establishment, and multi-story cropping. These conservation practices promote connectivity between private and public lands, restore ecosystem functionality, mitigate storm damage, and provide habitat for pollinators and critical wildlife species. For more information, download our new Forestry & Wildlife Initiatives poster (in both English & Spanish) or contact your local NRCS Field Office.
Join us in helping to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods, our islands. Together, we must Invest in Our Planet, because a green future is a prosperous future. Learn how at www.pr.nrcs.usda.gov.
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Sign up now to participate in a two-part virtual workshop on how to effectively apply for and manage federal grants. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 21 and Thursday, April 28 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
In part one, we will discuss how to prepare and access systems required to applying for federal grants. In part two, we will share tips and guidance on grant applications and how to understand grant management. The workshop will be recorded. You can access past workshop recordings at the USDA Rural Development YouTube Channel and at www.rd.usda.gov/rwin.
Background on the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN):
To learn more about RWIN, how to join the network, or to register to attend future workshops, visit www.rd.usda.gov/rwin. Interested parties may also join a mailing list to receive updates from Rural Development about funding opportunities or resources that can be used to support workforce development. Contact RD.Innovation.RWIN@usda.gov for more information.
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EVENTS
April 13, 2022. RCPP 2022 application submission deadline.
April 19-20, 2022. 3rd Caribbean Climate Change [virtual] Conference: Promoting Climate Resilience in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands. Register at https://bit.ly/3K0Zv3r.
April 29, 2022. CSP and EQIP 2022 Period 2 Signup Cutoff date.
May 6, 2022. EQIP-CIC Signup Cutoff date.
May 17, 2022. NRCS Puerto Rico State Technical Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
May 19, 2022. NRCS USVI State Technical Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
USDA St. Croix Service Center
Farm Service Agency (FSA) USVI
4401 Estate Sion Farm, Suite 2
Christiansted, VI 00820
www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Virgin-Islands
340-773-9146 x100
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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