As the leaves pile up around my yard and the snow begins to creep down the mountains surrounding Palmer, I’m hopeful that we have a few more weeks of mild weather before Winter makes her full arrival. I have a new puppy in my home and our (at least) twice daily walks are definitely requiring more layers to be comfortable.
Are you registered to attend next month’s Alaska Food & Farm Festival, co-hosted by the Alaska Farm Bureau and the Alaska Food Policy Council? It is the largest annual gathering of Agricultural producers in Alaska and I truly look forward to the many dynamic presentations, new information and sharing with friends and colleagues from across the State. Don’t miss it!
Are you a direct loan borrower with FSA? If so – please take a moment to review the information regarding Cash Flow-Based and Extroidinary Measures Assistance later in the newsletter and on our Farmers.Gov website. One-time financial assistance may be available to you via this new tool and the deadline has been extended until December 31, 2023. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office with questions regarding this opportunity.
Have you or someone you know been discriminated against by USDA? The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program is a new program, authorized by Section 22007(e) of the Inflation Reduction Act, that will provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to 2021.
Details about the program, including an application and e-filing portal, are available at 22007apply.gov. Applicants can also call the free call center at 1-800-721-0970. Filing an application is FREE and does not require a lawyer. The application period is open and has been extended until January 13, 2024.
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The Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) signup ended on
September 29, 2023. This program covered transportation expenses incurred from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. If you applied for the RTCP program and have not turned all your receipts into the FSA office, now is the time to do so. Applicants will have until COB on November 3, 2023, to provide supporting documentation. If you have anyquestions, contact your local FSA office.
For more information on RTCP, farmers and ranchers in the eligible areas can visit their
FSA county office or the FSA website at fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport. To locate your local
FSA office visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
As America’s farmers harvest the crops that feed, clothe, and fuel our world, let’s fill the Farmers.gov social media feed with their stories about this year’s harvest season. We’d also like to see how it’s going for farmers that participated in our #Plant2023 campaign in the spring.
To share your experience on @FarmersGov social media, follow these steps:
- Collect photos of what’s happening on your operation as you harvest.
- If you're comfortable, we’d love to see the people that make it happen, like friends and family.
- Write an email to FP.Social@usda.gov, attach your photos/video, and tell us:
- Your name, the location of your operation, and the name of your operation
- Your operation’s Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter pages, if you have them.
- What are you harvesting this year?
- Where does your harvest go? How is it used?
- What are your personal thoughts on this year’s harvest season?
Please note that by submitting your photo/video, you are granting USDA permission to use these materials for outreach and education purposes.
Remember to follow @FarmersGov on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram, and we look forward to sharing your story!
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) continues to accept and review individual assistance requests from: (1) direct Farm Loan Programs (FLP) borrowers who missed a recent installment or are unable to make their next scheduled installment, and (2) borrowers who took certain extraordinary measures to avoid delinquency on their direct FLP loans.
FSA direct loan borrowers with qualifying FLP loans who are unable to pay their upcoming installments or have already missed a recent installment payment can request a cash flow analysis from FSA using a recent balance sheet and operating plan to determine their eligibility.
This assistance is currently limited to installments due August 1, 2022, through January 15, 2024.
If FSA determines that a borrower qualifies for cash flow-based assistance due to an inability to develop a feasible plan for the current production cycle, FSA will make a one-time credit to the borrower’s account in the amount of the missed or upcoming direct loan installment(s). Consistent with other Section 22006 assistance provided to FSA direct loan borrowers, cash flow-based assistance is only available to borrowers who have not received prior IRA Section 22006 assistance that covered a forward direct loan installment.
Assistance is also available for borrowers who took certain extraordinary measures between February 28, 2020, through October 18, 2022, to avoid delinquency on their loans, such as monetizing long term or essential assets, incurring additional non-FSA debt, or deferring other essential payments, resulting in reduced farm and household viability. If FSA determines that a borrower qualifies for extraordinary measures assistance, the borrower will receive a direct payment equaling the amount of funds obtained through the extraordinary measure(s) that were used to make the payment(s) to FSA, with a maximum payment being the full amount of the installment paid. Borrowers may also be eligible to receive a payment covering their next loan installment due on all FLP direct loans if they have not received prior IRA Section 22006 assistance that covered a forward installment.
Borrowers can submit requests for extraordinary measures or cash flow-based assistance in person at their local FSA office or by sending in a direct request using the farmers.gov 22006 assistance request portals at farmers.gov/loans/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance. All requests for assistance must be received by December 31, 2023.
Borrowers can learn more about extraordinary measures and cash flow-based assistance, including complete eligibility requirements, at farmers.gov/loans/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.
As USDA learns more about the types of situations financially distressed farmers are facing, the Department will continue to update borrowers and the public about new assistance for distressed borrowers. USDA will also provide regular updates about its progress in deploying this funding to farmers who need it.
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 January 13, 2024. 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 2023 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections (will begin/began) on Nov. 6, 2023, when ballots (are/were) mailed to eligible voters. The deadline to return ballots to local FSA offices, or to be postmarked, is Dec. 4, 2023.
County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive, indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must:
- Be of legal voting age or, if not of legal voting age, supervise and conduct the farming operation of an entire farm.
- Have an interest in a farm or ranch as either:
- An individual who meets one or more of the following:
- Is eligible and capable to vote in one’s own right.
- Is a partner of a general partnership.
- Is a member of a joint venture.
- Participates or cooperates in any FSA program that is provided by law. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information to FSA about their farming or ranching operation(s) but may not have applied or received program benefits.
Eligible voters in Local Administrative Area (Insert Number), who do not receive a ballot can obtain one from their local FSA county office. Customers can identify which LAA they or their farming operation is in by using our new GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2024.
The candidates in this year’s election are:
Northern County LAA-2
Elise M. Bealer is nominated in LAA #2 Northern County to serve as COC member for a 3-year term beginning January 1st, 2024. Elise resides in LAA #2, and along with her husband has been a producer of bromegrass hay for the horse market for the past ten years. She grew up in the Delta Jct. area on a farm with yaks and horses. She is an active equestrian and participated in 4H as a youth. She has two up-and-coming 4H daughters. Elise is willing to serve if elected.
Steven Helkenn is nominated in LAA #2 Northern County to serve as COC member for a 3-year term beginning January 1st, 2024. Steve currently serves on the Northern County Committee. He resides in LAA-2 and has produced Hay, Oats, Barley and has raised pigs and cattle for over 40 years. Steven has served on the FSA County Committee in the past and has lived and farmed the same farm for all these years. Steve is willing to serve if elected.
Jeanne Schindler is nominated in LAA #2, Northern County to serve as COC member for a 3-year term beginning January 1st, 2024. Mrs. Schindler resides in LAA #2 with her family. She has owned and managed their family ranching and farming business since 1994 where they have raised horses, honey bees, sheep, Registered Angus, Holsteins and sled dogs across multiple states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Alaska. She is currently the owner of Circle Reflection ‘J’ Ranch, LLC in the Delta Junction area as well as managing a growing ranch and farm business. Jeanne managed nutrition and food services in healthcare facilities and community food programs in Utah, Idaho, Connecticut, and Minnesota. Jeanne Schindler is honored to be nominated and is excited to serve, if elected.
Jacob Tucker is nominated in LAA #2, Northern County to serve as COC member for a 3-year term beginning January 1st, 2024. Jacob resides in LAA #2, and has produced corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, oats, and hay along with dairy farming for 8 years in Pennsylvania. Jacob and his family are now producing hay in Alaska. Jacob is an active member of Farm Bureau. Jacob is willing to serve if elected.
Southern County LAA-3
Janet Dinwiddie is nominated in LAA-3, Southern County to serve as COC member for a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2024. Janet currently serves on the Southern County Committee. Janet grew up in Palmer the heart of Matanuska Valley. She was raised on her family's u-pick vegetable farm-Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm. Pyrah's has been operating for 40 years raising a variety of crops and hosting public events and festivals to help provide a gathering place for the community. After high school Janet graduated from Utah State University. Eventually Janet and her family came back to Alaska, to help run Pyrah’s.
Carol Symonds is nominated in LAA-3, Southern County to serve as COC member for a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2024. Carol has been nominated to serve you on the FSA County Committee. She has lived and farmed in Palmer for over 30 years. She owns EweTopia Farms Greenhouse. She has been a floriculture producer for 25 years. Before that her family produced livestock. Specifically, sheep for the 4-H market. She and her husband Mark were 4-H leaders and led a large group of young people in the market livestock program. If elected, it would be an honor to serve.
More information on county committees can be found at fsa.usda.gov/elections or by contacting the Northern USDA Service Center at (907)895-4242 ext. 150 or the Southern USDA Service Center at (907)761-7738.
As part of USDA’s broader effort to support organic producers and in response to stakeholder feedback, this year the Farm Service Agency increased the cost share amount under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which helps organic producers cover organic certification costs, to the maximum amount allowed by statute. Specifically, FSA will cover up to 75% of costs associated with organic certification, up to $750 for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees (California only). OCCSP will cover costs incurred from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.
FSA begins accepting applications for OCCSP Monday, May 15. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2023. To apply, producers and handlers should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center. As part of completing the OCCSP application, producers and handlers will need to provide documentation of their organic certification and eligible expenses. Organic producers and handlers may also apply for OCCSP through participating state departments of agriculture.
FSA is also accepting applications from state departments of agriculture to administer OCCSP. FSA will post a synopsis of the funding opportunity on grants.gov and will send more information to all eligible state departments of agriculture. Additional details can be found on the OCCSP webpage. More information about these initiatives and more can be found at farmers.gov/organic-transition-initiative.
Using the correct signature when doing business with FSA can save time and prevent a delay in program benefits.
The following are FSA signature guidelines:
- A married woman must sign her given name: Mrs. Mary Doe, not Mrs. John Doe
- For a minor, FSA requires the minor's signature and one from the minor’s parent
Note, by signing a document with a minor, the parent is liable for actions of the minor and may be liable for refunds, liquidated damages, etc.
When signing on one’s behalf the signature must agree with the name typed or printed on the form or be a variation that does not cause the name and signature to be in disagreement. Example - John W. Smith is on the form. The signature may be John W. Smith or J.W. Smith or J. Smith. Or Mary J. Smith may be signed as Mrs. Mary Joe Smith, M.J. Smith, Mary Smith, etc.
FAXED signatures will be accepted for certain forms and other documents provided the acceptable program forms are approved for FAXED signatures. Producers are responsible for the successful transmission and receipt of FAXED information.
Spouses may sign documents on behalf of each other for FSA and CCC programs in which either has an interest, unless written notification denying a spouse this authority has been provided to the county office.
Spouses cannot sign on behalf of each other as an authorized signatory for partnerships, joint ventures, corporations or other similar entities. Likewise, a spouse cannot sign a document on behalf of the other in order to affirm the eligibility of oneself.
Any member of a general partnership can sign on behalf of the general partnership and bind all members unless the Articles of Partnership are more restrictive. Spouses may sign on behalf of each other’s individual interest in a partnership, unless notification denying a spouse that authority is provided to the county office. Acceptable signatures for general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, estates, and trusts must consist of an indicator “by” or “for” the individual’s name, individual’s name and capacity, or individual’s name, capacity, and name of entity.
For additional clarification on proper signatures contact your local FSA office.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a simplified direct loan application to provide improved customer experience for producers applying for loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The simplified direct loan application enables producers to complete a more streamlined application, reduced from 29 to 13 pages. Producers will also have the option to complete an electronic fillable form or prepare a traditional, paper application for submission to their local FSA farm loan office. The paper and electronic versions of the form are now available.
Approximately 26,000 producers submit a direct loan application to the FSA annually, but there is a high rate of incomplete or withdrawn applications, due in part to a challenging and lengthy paper-based application process. Coupled with the Loan Assistance Tool released in October 2022, the simplified application will provide all loan applicants access to information regarding the application process and assist them with gathering the correct documents before they begin the process. This new application will help farmers and ranchers submit complete loan applications and reduce the number of incomplete, rejected, or withdrawn applications.
In October 2022, USDA launched the Loan Assistance Tool, an online step-by-step guide that provides materials to help an applicant prepare their farm 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. The tool is built to run on any modern browser like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or the Safari browser. A version compatible with mobile devices is expected to be available by the summer. It does not work in Internet Explorer.
The simplified direct loan application and Loan Assistance Tool are the first of multiple farm loan process improvements that will be available to USDA customers on farmers.gov in the future. Other improvements that are anticipated to launch in 2023 include:
- 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.
USDA provides access to credit to approximately 115,000 producers who cannot obtain sufficient commercial credit through direct and guaranteed farm loans. With the funds and direction Congress provided in Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act, USDA took action in October 2022 to provide relief to qualifying distressed borrowers while working on making transformational changes to loan servicing so that borrowers are provided the flexibility and opportunities needed to address the inherent risks and unpredictability associated with agricultural operations.
Soon, all direct loan borrowers will receive a letter from USDA describing the circumstances under which additional payments will be made to distressed borrowers and how they can work with their FSA local office to discuss these options. Producers can explore all available options on all FSA loan options at fsa.usda.gov or by contacting their local USDA Service Center.
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) serves America’s agricultural producers through effective, market-based risk management tools to strengthen the economic stability of agricultural producers and rural communities. RMA is committed to increasing the availability and effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool.
RMA manages the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to provide innovative crop insurance products to America’s farmers and ranchers. Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) sell and service Federal crop insurance policies in every state and in Puerto Rico through a public-private partnership with RMA. RMA backs the AIPs who share the risks associated with catastrophic losses due to major weather events. Learn more by visiting RMA’s website.
Whether you rent or own your land, a conservation plan is critical to maintain and improve farm productivity. Plans of any kind are important as they set goals and outline how to reach them. Conservation plans are roadmaps for improving your operation while conserving natural resources. They provide proven strategies that landowners can use to solve identified natural resource concerns and take advantage of conservation opportunities.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can help you develop a conservation plan. This technical assistance from NRCS is free, and it can help you reduce soil loss from erosion, solve issues with soil, air and water quality, reduce potential damage from excess water and drought, enhance the quality of wildlife habitat, address waste management concerns, and improve the long-term sustainability of the country’s natural resources.
How does conservation planning work? You’ll meet with a planner from NRCS for a science-based evaluation of your problems and opportunities on your land. The NRCS staff member, often a district conservationist or conservation planning technician, then analyzes the findings and recommends the best strategies to address your problems and achieve valuable opportunities.
If you’re interested in conservation planning, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit nrcs.usda.gov.
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