In my life, September means my daughters’ sports seasons are back in full swing, the outcome of Packers football games determines my mood, and I’m hopefully planning a mid-winter warm-up on a beach somewhere.
At FSA, September means the RTCP deadline. Hopefully you already heard that the application period has been extended until September 29th. We have a digital application option this year and the total amount of funding available for the program has been increased by $1 million dollars. Farming and ranching in Alaska comes with unique challenges and the availability of this reimbursement program is one way that Congress has attempted to level the playing field. I believe that every Alaskan producer can and should benefit from the RTCP program and am hopeful to see participation increase this year.
Meet our State Committee Chairwoman, Kelli Foreman
How long have you been farming in Alaska?
- Ten years ago I had my first two goats flown to Kodiak, Alaska and started farming.
What made you want to serve on the FSA State Committee?
- I am enthusiastic about joining this committee because it presents a remarkable opportunity to contribute to the burgeoning growth of Alaska’s agriculture.
Do you have a farming mentor that you look to for advice?
- I am a fifth-generation farmer on both side of my family. My grandparents and parents have been extremely influential in teaching and guiding me along my farming journey.
What is one issue that you think will negatively impact the future of Alaska agriculture?
- It is of the utmost importance that we prioritize the preservation of fertile agricultural land to support the local industry’s growth. Striking a delicate balance between fostering agricultural development, promoting sustainable tourism, and addressing housing needs will undoubtedly present formidable challenge.
What’s a positive component to the future of farming in Alaska versus somewhere else?
- Alaska is the last frontier full of first-generation farmers willing to think outside the box, find diverse ways to produce growth and an eagerness to learn. While Alaska produces a fair share of challenges through those challenges come inventive ways to produce sustainable agriculture that has potential to produce change beyond our state.
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Southern County Office
Hazen Kazaks and Chris Dickinson will be visiting the Kenai Peninsula September 12-16. Their office hours are as follows:
Homer NRCS Office:
Wednesday 13th 8-11am
Thursday 14th 8-11am
Kenai NRCS Office:
Friday 15th from 10am-2pm
Please contact Hazen to schedule an appointment or field visit.
hazen.kazaks@usda.gov
(907)761-7773
Statewide Virtual Office Hours
Please join us for virtual open office hours every Tuesday at 4PM and Thursday at 8AM. We will discuss the ins and outs of RTCP and how to participate. Come with any questions you may have concerning the RTCP Program and our staff will be happy to help!
You can join by clicking the following links:
Tuesdays at 4PM
Thursdays at 8AM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline to Sept. 29 for enrollment in the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP). The deadline for producers to provide supporting documentation is Nov. 3, 2023.
RTCP helps U.S. farmers and ranchers outside the 48 contiguous states who are at a competitive disadvantage when transporting agricultural products to market by offsetting a portion of the cost of transporting agricultural products over long distances.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 authorized $4 million for RTCP and allows farmers and livestock producers in Alaska, Hawaii and insular areas including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands of the United States, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau, to recover costs to transport agricultural commodities or inputs used to produce an agricultural commodity. Nearly $3 million was issued to almost 1,100 producers through the 2022 Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment program.
RTCP payments are calculated based on the costs incurred for transportation of agricultural commodities or inputs during a 12-month period, subject to an $8,000 per producer cap per fiscal year. If claims for payments exceed the funds available from the program for a fiscal year, payments will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.
Farmers and livestock producers interested in participating in RTCP can obtain applications and other documents by calling toll-free 1-866-794-1079.
To find their local FSA county office, producers can visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
The application period is now open for a new financial assistance program under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. The application process will close on October 31. Borrowers will have the option to apply for assistance online via 22007apply.gov or through a paper-based form.
Details about the program, including an application and e-filing portal, are available at 22007apply.gov. The website includes an English and Spanish language application that applicants can download or submit via an e-filing portal, information on how to obtain technical assistance in-person or virtually, and additional resources and details about the program. Applicants can also call the free call center at 1-800-721-0970, or visit one of several dozen brick-and-mortar offices the program has set up around the country. Locations are provided on the program website and vendors will update the local events schedule with more information as it becomes available. It is important to note that filing an application is FREE and does not require a lawyer.
If you want to get weekly updates on the program’s events and progress, you can go to https://22007apply.gov, and subscribe to a weekly newsletter.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021.
USDA has become aware of some lawyers and groups spreading misleading information about this process, pressuring people to sign retainer agreements, and asking people to fill out forms with private and sensitive information.
Application forms for this program are not yet available and the application filing period has not started. Before the application process opens, USDA will publish a list of trusted community organizations located across the country that will provide FREE help completing applications.
Please beware of organizations seeking to file your application for a fee. Filing an application for the program will be FREE. You will not need a lawyer to file an application for this program. If you feel the need for legal advice, seek the assistance of a trusted, licensed attorney.
Beware of solicitations by mail, email, or phone calls from individuals claiming to be connected to USDA. USDA will not solicit you for information.
The most up-to-date information on this program will be posted at www.farmers.gov/22007, a USDA website. Please check there for any concerns or reach out to your local FSA office. To find your local office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.
If you believe there is an organization conducting a scam related to this process, please contact the USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or any other appropriate authorities. The USDA OIG hotline can be accessed online at https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline and by phone at (800) 424-9121.
The term “sodbusting” is used to identify the conversion of land from native vegetation to commodity crop production after December 23, 1985. As part of the conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, if you’re proposing to produce agricultural commodities (crops that require annual tillage including one pass planting operations and sugar cane) on land that has been determined highly erodible and that has no crop history prior to December 23, 1985, that land must be farmed in accordance with a conservation plan or system that ensures no substantial increase in soil erosion.
Eligibility for many USDA programs requires compliance with a conservation plan or system on highly erodible land (HEL) used for the production of agricultural commodities. This includes Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan, disaster assistance, safety net, price support, and conservation programs; Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs; and Risk Management Agency (RMA) Federal crop insurance.
Before you clear or prepare areas not presently under production for crops that require annual tillage, you are required to file Form AD-1026 “Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification,” with FSA indicating the area to be brought into production. The notification will be referred to NRCS to determine if the field is considered highly erodible land. If the field is considered HEL, you are required to implement a conservation plan or system that limits the erosion to the tolerable soil loss (T) for the predominant HEL soil on those fields.
In addition, prior to removing trees or conducting any other land manipulations that may affect wetlands, remember to update form AD-1026, to ensure you remain in compliance with the wetland conservation provisions.
Prior to purchasing or renting new cropland acres, it is recommended that you check with your local USDA Service Center to ensure your activities will be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions.
For additional information on highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation compliance, contact your local USDA Service Center.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal agencies to consider all potential environmental impacts for federally funded projects before the project is approved.
For all Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs, an environmental review must be completed before actions are approved, such as site preparation or ground disturbance. These programs include, but are not limited to, the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program and farm loans. If project implementation begins before FSA has completed an environmental review, the request will be denied. Although there are exceptions regarding the Stafford Act and emergencies, it’s important to wait until you receive written approval of your project proposal before starting any actions.
Applications cannot be approved until FSA has copies of all permits and plans. Contact your local FSA office early in your planning process to determine what level of environmental review is required for your program application so that it can be completed timely.
USDA Alaska Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of approaching application deadlines for purchasing risk coverage for some crops through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops impacted by natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses, or prevented crop planting.
NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass and more.
Upcoming application deadlines for NAP coverage in Alaska for the 2024 production season include:
- Perennial Grass Forage: 9/30/2023
- Honey: 9/30/2023
- Spring planted annual crops (vegetables): 3/15/2024
NAP basic coverage is available at 55% of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is available in some cases. NAP offers higher levels of coverage, ranging from 50% to 65% of expected production in 5% increments, at 100% of the average market price. Producers of organic crops and crops marketed directly to consumers also may exercise the “buy-up” option to obtain NAP coverage of 100% of the average market price at coverage levels ranging between 50% and 65% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is not available for crops intended for grazing.
For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Premiums apply for buy-up coverage.
If a producer has a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (form CCC-860) on file with FSA, it may serve as an application for basic coverage for all eligible crops beginning with crop year 2022. These producers will have all NAP-related service fees for basic coverage waived. These producers may also receive a 50% premium reduction if higher levels of coverage are elected on form CCC-471, prior to the application closing date for each crop.
To learn more about NAP visit fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your Northern USDA Service Center at (907)895-4242 ext. 150 or your Southern USDA Service Center at (907)761-7738 .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.
USDA experiences a high rate of incomplete or withdrawn applications, particularly among underserved customers, due in part to a challenging and lengthy paper-based application process. The Loan Assistance Tool is available 24/7 and gives customers an online step-by-step guide that supplements the support they receive when working in person with a USDA employee, providing materials that may help an applicant prepare their loan application in one tool.
Farmers can access the Loan Assistance Tool by visiting farmers.gov/farm-loan-assistance-tool and clicking the ‘Get Started’ button. From here they can follow the prompts to complete the Eligibility Self-Assessment and start the farm loan journey. The tool is built to run on any modern browser like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or the Safari browser, and is fully functional on mobile devices. It does not work in Internet Explorer.
The Loan Assistance Tool is the first of multiple farm loan process improvements that will be available to USDA customers on farmers.gov in the future. Other improvements and tools that are anticipated to launch in 2023 include:
- A streamlined and simplified direct loan application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.
- An interactive online direct loan application that gives customers a paperless and electronic signature option, along with the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns.
- An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local Service Center to pay a loan installment.
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