In This Issue:
Greetings Rhode Island!
As we move into February, our NRCS staff and conservation partners have been putting in extra effort to help more Ocean State farmers and forest landowners than ever before through our increased funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and Farm Bill. We have more opportunities to help farm and forestland operations of all sizes put conservation on the ground and become more climate resilient. NRCS is accepting applications for all of our conservation programs - check out the resources below to see if any are of interest to you.
To help us meet the opportunity we have been given with this increased funding, we are looking for ways to work smarter and streamline our work. One way we are doing that is by implementing a new Act NOW process - see more information below.
We are also reaching out to cities and towns across the state to offer assistance through our Emergency Watershed Protection program to mitigate flood damages from recent storms. We encourage municipalities impacted by flooding to submit letters requesting assistance through this program.
We can't help our clients without the dedication and hard work of our staff and partners and their knowledge and creativity to make our programs the best they can be. Thank you for all that you do each day to help farmers and land owners meet their conservation goals. We got this!
Regards,
R. Phou Vongkhamdy, State Conservationist
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing final Emergency Relief Program (ERP) payments totaling approximately $306 million to eligible commodity and specialty crop producers who incurred losses due to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin issuing these additional payments to eligible producers this week.
Recipients of the additional payment are limited to those producers who received ERP Phase One payments from FSA that were calculated based on crop insurance indemnities. Initially, ERP Phase One payments to producers who were indemnified through Federal crop insurance, were subject to a 75% payment factor. FSA has since determined that adequate funding exists to provide an additional 3.5% ERP Phase One payment to producers who had crop insurance increasing the overall payment factor to 78.5%. These additional ERP Phase One payments are subject to FSA payment limitation provisions as outlined in the ERP Phase One fact sheet.
Because ERP Phase One payments to producers of noninsured crops covered by FSA NAP policies were originally paid at 100%, there will be no additional payments issued to these producers for 2020 and 2021 losses.
The Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, 2021 (P.L. 117-43) provided $10 billion in assistance to agricultural producers impacted by wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, winter storms and other eligible disasters experienced during calendar years 2020 and 2021. In 2022, FSA implemented ERP Phase One, which delivered $7.5 billion in payments to commodity and specialty crop producers. For Phase One, ERP used a streamlined process with pre-filled application forms, leveraging crop insurance indemnities or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payments on file with USDA.
Separately, through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) Congress allocated approximately $3.2 billion in funding to cover necessary expenses related to losses of revenue, quality or production losses of crops. Enrollment is ongoing for ERP 2022, which covers losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to qualifying, calendar year 2022 natural disaster events including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought and related conditions.
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USDA is investing approximately $11.5 million in 38 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. This includes the North Providence School Department’s Get Food Smart project in Rhode Island. The Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s broad support for urban agriculture. The CFWR program is jointly administered by USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Learn more about the projects.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year starting Dec. 18, 2023. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.
More Information
For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact the Rhode Island FSA County Office at 401-828-3120 Option 1. Producers can also make elections and complete enrollment online with level 2 eAuth.
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Producers who received an Emergency Relief Program (ERP) payment need to meet ERP insurance linkage requirements by purchasing crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage at the 60/100 level or higher for the next two available crop years, which will be determined from the date you received an ERP payment and may vary depending on the timing and availability of coverage. The insurance coverage requirement applies to the physical location of the county where the crop was located and for which an ERP payment was issued.
Contact your crop insurance agent or local FSA county office as soon as possible to ask about coverage options. Producers who do not obtain the applicable coverage by the sales/application closing date will be required to refund the ERP benefits received on the applicable crop, plus interest. To determine which crops are eligible for federal crop insurance or NAP, visit the RMA website.
For more information, contact the RI FSA County Office at 401-828-3120 Option 1 or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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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, contact the Rhode Island FSA County Office at 401-828-3120 Option 1 or visit fsa.usda.gov/microloans.
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 NRCS announces additional financial assistance opportunities for fiscal year 2024 for Rhode Island farmers and forest landowners. Through conservation programs, NRCS helps farmers and forest landowners make conservation improvements on their land that benefit natural resources and build resiliency.
NRCS is extending our FY2024 signup #1 to February 23 for Rhode Island oyster farmers under the Oyster Reef Restoration Initiative. Anyone who applied by the initial Dec. 15 cutoff date or who applies by the extended deadline of Feb. 23 will be considered for this first signup.
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NRCS encourages Rhode Island farmers and ranchers interested in participating in our Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) to apply for assistance by March 15, 2024.
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In support of the Agency focus on customer service and streamlining procedure, Rhode Island NRCS will offer two initiatives using the Act Now process to deliver conservation contracting faster. This will include IRA and Classic Combustion System and Energy Initiatives (CSEI) and the Streamlined Conservation Planning Activities Initiative.
NRCS-RI Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Fiscal Year 2024 applications will be put into ranking pools:
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IRA-EQIP Combustion System and Energy Initiative
- Combustion System Improvement (CPS 372)
- Pumping Plant (CPS 533)
- Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (CPS 533)
- Energy Efficient Lighting System (CPS 670)
- Energy Efficient Building Envelope (CPS 672)
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EQIP Classic Combustion System and Energy Initiative
- Combustion System Improvement (CPS 372)
- Pumping Plant (CPS 533)
- Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (CPS 533)
- Energy Efficient Lighting System (CPS 670)
- Energy Efficient Building Envelope (CPS 672)
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Streamlined Conservation Planning Activities
- Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs)
- Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs)
- Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs)
Learn more...
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The RI Forest Health Works Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Project is accepting applications for funding for fiscal year 2024. It is a agreement between NRCS, RI DEM Division of Forest Environment & 10 partners to leverage over $3.9 million in 5 years to protect critical forests. This year project partners will offer separate application ranking cutoff dates for our two different program options.
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Rhode Island NRCS State Conservationist, Phou Vongkhamdy, State Engineer, Darrell Moore, and engineering staff have been touring the state this past month to assess flooding impacts from recent Dec. and Jan. storms. They've met with city, town, and state decision-makers, along with congressional staff and conservation partners, to view flooding damage and encourage municipalities to apply for Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) and Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO or PL-566) assistance from the agency.
The NRCS EWP Program offers technical and financial assistance to repair post-storm sites that pose an imminent threat to life and property. The PL-566 program provides long-term watershed planning and flood mitigation assistance.
While NRCS may fund projects on private and public land through the EWP Program, a public sponsor (usually the town or city) is required to cover 25% of the eligible construction costs and operation and maintenance of the site post-installation. Sponsors must submit a formal request for assistance within 60 days of the disaster occurrence, or 60 days from the date when access to the sites becomes available. Learn more...
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 National Black History Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the vast contributions of generations of Black Americans whose courage, advocacy, and patriotism have enriched our communities and strengthened our country. As Americans, we must recognize that Black history is American history and pay homage to Black culture and triumphs that create so much of what we stand for as a Nation.
USDA’s 2024 Black History Month theme “African Americans and the Arts: A Legacy Steeped in Civil Rights and Social Justice,” allows us to reflect on the tremendous contributions and strides made by Blacks in America and simultaneously acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. Historians and academics, and most Americans know and acknowledge that the United States would not be the Nation it is without the contributions of Black Americans to our economy, our defense, and our culture. We cannot overstate the contributions of Black Americans to the agricultural economy including the introduction of new foods. They constructed many of our most prestigious landmark buildings (like the U.S. Capitol), defended our democracy in every war fought in or by the United States, and made numerous other contributions that shape who we are and where we are as a Nation today.
We encourage our staff, clients and partners to take some time to appreciate and learn more about the contributions of Black Americans and their artistic legacy. Learn more from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Rhode Island corn, fresh market sweet corn, and potato growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2024 crop year is March 15. Growers also have until March 15 to apply for coverage under the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policy. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until March 15 to do so.
Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage for corn, fresh market sweet corn, and potatoes is available in select counties. Additional information can be found on the Actuarial Information Browser page on the RMA website.
Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2024 crop year. Additional crops may be eligible for coverage under a written agreement. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the sales closing date.
RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. On farmers.gov, you can find more information on USDA’s response and relief for producers and use other tools and resources.
Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
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Rhode Island USDA
60 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
Rhode Island Farm Service Agency (FSA)
RI FSA County Office, Suite 49: 401-828-3120 Option 1
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County Committee
Joseph Polseno, Chairperson John Sousa, Vice Chairperson
Erin Cabot, Member William Coulter, Member
Gilbert Rathbun Jr., Member Dawn M Spears, SDA Member
The County Committee meets the third Thursday of every month subject to change.
*To confirm meeting dates, please contact the office. *
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RI FSA Farm Loan Team, Suite 62: 401-828-3120 Option 2
RI FSA State Office, Suite 62: 401-828-3120 Option 3
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State Committee
Al Bettencourt, Member Maggie Cole, Member
Albert Brandon, Member Cristina Cabrera, Member
Michelle Garman, Member
The State Committee meets the second Wednesday of every month subject to change.
*To confirm meeting dates, please contact the office. *
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Rhode Island Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
www.RI.nrcs.usda.gov
Risk Management Agency (RMA)
Risk Management Agency: 919-875-4880
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
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