In This Issue:
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and Arkansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) is celebrating and honoring their history, culture, and the countless contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The origins of AANHPI Heritage Month can be traced back to the late 1970s, when a group of educators and community leaders began advocating for greater recognition of Asian American history and culture in California. In 1978, a Congressional resolution was passed declaring the first ten days of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1992, the week was expanded to a monthlong observance, and the term Asian American and Pacific Islander was added to the name of the celebration in 2009. According to the 2020 Census, there are 20.6 million people who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander alone (not in combination with another race), making up 6.2 percent of the nation’s population. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage thousands of years old and has shaped history in the United States.
Among the many military holidays celebrated each year is Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 18th this year. On this day we remember and honor those that are currently serving in our military and offer profound appreciation. I encourage you to reach out to someone and thank them for their continued service. Traditionally celebrated the third Saturday in May, Armed Forces Day falls during Military Appreciation Month.
Also, May 27th, Memorial Day will be observed. This Federal Holiday is traditionally observed on the last Monday in May. This day pays tribute to the heroic men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country. If possible, take this time to honor those who died in service to our country and visit our National, State, and Veteran cemeteries and memorials in order to remember and pay respect for our fallen service members. As an alternative, you might visit the Veterans Legacy Memorial. This online memorial honors more than 4.8 million Veterans interred in VA National Cemeteries; VA grant-funded tribal, state, and territory Veteran cemeteries; DoD-managed cemeteries (including Arlington National Cemetery); and two U.S. Park Service National Cemeteries.
In June 2023, USDA awarded approximately $300 million for 50 selected projects for the innovative Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program through 1006 of the American Rescue Plan Act, as amended by Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions for USDA to ensure underserved producers have resources, tools, programs, and technical support they need to succeed. Through the Black Belt Land Access Program (BBLAP) and the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation (CHPP) access to land will in turn increase opportunities to access capital and markets to improve farming and forestry operations. Because is a cooperative agreement, FSA will work closely with CHPP to implement their project with partners in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and East Texas. In Arkansas, those partners include the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and National Black Growers Counsel. More information about the program and a brief description of each of the 50 locally led projects is available here- https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/increasing-land-access/index.
FSA has a new, online Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) Decision Tool and farm loan resources available to agricultural producers and cooperators who help producers access USDA disaster assistance, farm loans and other federal farm programs. The new LIP tool and the farm loan informational video resources were developed in partnership with FarmRaise and FSA. These tools are now available at www.farmraise.com/usda-fsa.
Arkansas FSA would like to remind agricultural producers that Farm Loan Programs can be used to support a variety of climate-smart agriculture practices, which build on many practices that farmers and ranchers already use, like cover cropping, nutrient management and conservation tillage. Farm loan funding complements other tools to help producers adopt climate-smart practices, such as FSA’s Conservation Reserve Program, crop insurance options that support conservation, and conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). FSA offers multiple types of loans that can provide the capital needed to invest in climate-smart practices and equipment including the establishment of rotational grazing systems, precision agriculture equipment or machinery for conversion to no-till residue management.
On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine disaster protection and recovery program or loan options. Please take advantage of these tools.
For more information on Farm Service Agency (FSA), contact your local USDA service center or visit www.farmers.gov.
Our goal is to serve all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners; equitably; through the delivery of effective and efficient agricultural programs.
Greetings!
As we reflect on the recently concluded 69th Annual Stewardship Week, held from April 28 to May 5, we're reminded of the profound significance of this annual initiative of the National Association of Conservation Districts. Stewardship Week serves as a reminder of our collective duty to preserve and protect our natural resources. This year's theme, "May the Forest Be with You, Always," highlighted the intricate relationship between soil and water conservation and the resilience of our forests.
Throughout the week, conservation districts across the nation engaged in diverse activities to celebrate and promote the vital role of forests in conserving our soil and protecting our environment. As we move forward, let us carry the spirit of stewardship with us in all our endeavors. Whether it's tending to our own land or helping producers adopt conservation practices, each of us plays a vital role as stewards of our shared natural heritage. May we continue to honor and uphold the principles of stewardship, ensuring a sustainable future for Arkansas and beyond.
How does conservation planning work? NRCS is here to provide one-on-one support to our customers at our 61 USDA Service Centers statewide. NRCS staff can help guide farmers to the best USDA assistance based on their conservation goals. You will meet with your local NRCS district conservationist, or conservation planning technician, for a science-based evaluation of the problems and opportunities on your land. NRCS staff members then analyze the findings and recommend the best strategies to address your issues and achieve valuable conservation opportunities and objectives.
Farmers who work with us at their local USDA Service Center can:
- Verify eligibility for USDA programs
- Discuss their business and conservation goals
- Create a conservation plan
- Learn how to meet conservation compliance provisions
A conservation plan is critical to maintain and improve your operation’s 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.
If you’re interested in finding out more about conservation planning, I encourage you to contact your local USDA Service Center to discuss your operation’s needs.
See what other landowners are doing –
Learn more about the benefits of conservation practices directly from the farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners applying them with our Conservation at Work series. Explore the different types of conservation practices by watching these 90-second videos.
Important Dates to Remember:
- May 17, 2024: Application deadline for CSP-Urban, EQIP-Urban, and EQIP-Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative (MRBI)
- July 2, 2024: Proposal deadline for Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
The USDA Arkansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) is committed to educating producers on available programs and loans. FSA representatives will be available at the following workshops and conferences. Producers interested in attending these conferences/workshops should follow the registration or RSVP instructions listed below.
Jun 30th – ALCDC Community Economic Development Outreach Summit Arkansas Land and Community Development Corporation (ALCDC) is hosting a Community Economic Development Outreach Summit titled Financial and Program Resource Opportunities for Rural and Urban Community Economic Development. Christa Kimbrell, Desha County Executive Director, will present on FSA Programs and Heirs' Property. The conference will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024, and is free to attend. The meeting will be held from 11:00am – 1:00pm. For those wishing to attend the conference in person, the meeting site will be the Morrilton Chamber of Commerce, 115 East Broadway Street, Morrilton, AR 72110. For those wishing to attend the conference virtually, please register and join the meeting at the following Link: Preregistration is also available by visiting alcdc.org or using the link below. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscO2gqT8qGtUUKPx_GQQSdHnZw_WseyoS. For more information and/or pre-registration, please call ALCDC at (870) 734-3005, Larry Lofton (870) 594-8028, or Janie Williams at (870) 594-8994. ALCDC’s website is https://alcdc.webs.com.
Jun 7th - 2024 NBGC Model Farm Series – Conyer Farms LLC, Pine Bluff, AR The National Black Growers Council (NBGC) has announced its 2024 Model Farm Series for Arkansas. This event provides area growers a glimpse of new technologies and practices. Conyer Farms will host on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 2119 East 38th Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Field Day registration will be from 7am – 8am. Arkansas FSA will have an informational booth onsite. For more information, call 870-543-9417 or visit www.nationalblackgrowerscouncil.com.
Sep 7th - 2024 Antique Tractor Show – Agriculture Museum, Scott, AR The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourisms Agricultural Museum is hosting the 2024 Antique Tractor Show. Tim Wilson, Administration Specialist, will manage Arkansas FSA’s informational booth. This event will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 4815 AR Hwy 161 South, Scott, Arkansas. Additional Information will be forthcoming. For more information, call 501-961-1409 or visit Plantation Agriculture Museum | Arkansas State Parks.
Farmers and ranchers can contact a call center to receive one-on-one assistance from USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) employees ready to help. By calling 877-508-8364, customers can ask questions about FSA programs.
The call center was created as a way to better serve customers, especially those who have not worked with FSA previously.
Customers who contact the call center can expect to receive the same great service they would receive as if they were in their FSA county office.
FSA Call Center staff can also provide service to non-English speaking customers. Customers using the call center will still call 877-508-8364 and select 1 for English and 2 to speak with a Spanish-speaking employee. For other languages, customers select 1 and indicate their language to the call center staff.
The call center is just one of many ways USDA has adjusted and added flexibilities to meet the needs of our customers. One thing remains the same, USDA stands committed to offering exceptional customer service to our nation’s farmers and ranchers.
Finding the right risk management fit for your farm can feel overwhelming, especially for specialty crop and small-scale farmers and ranchers. That’s why the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) created a new searchable directory of crop insurance agents who have experience selling Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm policies.
With 1,135 crop insurance agents listed, providing coverage in all 50 states, the process of finding the “right risk management fit” just got easier.
In addition to the new directory, there are other resources available for specialty crop producers including regional specialists located in each of the RMA regional offices. Feedback is crucial to continually improving risk management options, and specialty crop producers can reach out with suggestions or questions by e-mailing SpecialtyCrops@usda.gov.
Specialty crop and small-scale producers are encouraged to use the new searchable directory and visit the RMA Specialty Crops page.
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection
The first of its kind, WFRP recognizes diversification found on specialty and small-scale farms. With WFRP producers can insure their entire operation including crops, livestock, and nursery production, under one policy. Another advantage of WFRP coverage, is it bridges the insurance gap for several specialty crops that don’t currently have individual policies available.
Micro Farm
Also included in WFRP, the Micro Farm option gives smaller operations more streamlined insurance options. It provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on your farm under one insurance policy. This insurance plan is tailored for any farm with up to $350,000 in approved revenue, including farms with specialty or organic commodities (both crops and livestock), or those marketing to local, regional, farm-identity preserved, specialty, or direct markets.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is committed to providing our farm loan borrowers the tools necessary to be successful. FSA staff will provide guidance and counsel from the loan application process through the borrower’s graduation to commercial credit. While it is FSA’s commitment to advise borrowers as they identify goals and evaluate progress, it is crucial for borrowers to communicate with their farm loan staff when changes occur. It is the borrower’s responsibility to alert FSA to any of the following:
- Any proposed or significant changes in the farming operation
- Any significant changes to family income or expenses
- The development of problem situations
- Any losses or proposed significant changes in security
If a farm loan borrower can’t make payments to suppliers, other creditors, or FSA on time, contact your farm loan staff immediately to discuss loan servicing options.
For more information on FSA farm loan programs, contact your County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.
There are options for Farm Service Agency (FSA) 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 Manager to learn about your options.
ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible livestock, honeybee, and farm-raised fish producers who have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, not covered by other agricultural disaster assistance programs.
Eligible losses include:
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Livestock - grazing losses not covered under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), loss of purchased feed and/or mechanically harvested feed due to an eligible adverse weather event, additional cost of transporting water and feed because of an eligible drought and additional cost associated with gathering livestock to treat for cattle tick fever.
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Honeybee - loss of purchased feed due to an eligible adverse weather event, cost of additional feed purchased above normal quantities due to an eligible adverse weather condition, colony losses in excess of normal mortality due to an eligible weather event or loss condition, including CCD, and hive losses due to eligible adverse weather.
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Farm-Raised Fish - death losses in excess of normal mortality and/or loss of purchased feed due to an eligible adverse weather event.
If you’ve suffered eligible livestock, honeybee, or farm-raised fish losses during calendar year 2024, you must file a notice of loss and an application for payment by Jan. 30, 2025.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for specific conservation practices under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Continuous Signup.
In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and to plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. The program’s long-term goal is to re-establish valuable land cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length.
Under continuous CRP signup, environmentally sensitive land devoted to certain conservation practices can be enrolled in CRP at any time. Offers for continuous enrollment are not subject to competitive bidding during specific periods. Instead they are automatically accepted provided the land and producer meet certain eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap.
For more information, including a list of acceptable practices, contact your local County USDA Service Center.
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 where crop insurance is not available.
Purchase coverage must be at the 60/100 coverage level or higher for insured crops or at the catastrophic coverage level or higher for NAP crops 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 your local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) today unveiled a new, online Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) Decision Tool and farm loan resources available to agricultural producers and cooperators who help producers access USDA disaster assistance, farm loans and other federal farm programs. The new LIP tool and the farm loan informational video resources were developed in partnership with FarmRaise and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). These tools are now available at www.farmraise.com/usda-fsa.
Current FarmRaise Tools and Resources
FarmRaise, Inc. has created an online, educational hub -- called Farm Service Agency 101 – comprised of videos, and resources that enable cooperators and the agricultural producers they serve to learn about and access major FSA programs.
The newly launched LIP Decision Tool assists livestock producers who suffered losses from eligible adverse weather events and other causes of loss as well as cooperators who are helping disaster-impacted livestock producers navigate available federal disaster assistance programs. The optional decision tool gives producers guidance on what is needed to gather and submit required loss documentation, reducing the amount of time needed to complete applications and enabling FSA county office staff to deliver much-needed assistance faster. Using this tool, however, is not an application for benefits or a determination of eligibility.
Through use of the LIP tool, livestock producers can provide supporting documentation, inventory numbers, and loss numbers to FSA county offices. Doing so, in advance of the initial county office visit, will help FSA staff serve customers more effectively and efficiently. Producers will also need to complete an application for LIP assistance and, upon request, may be asked to provide additional supporting documentation.
LIP offers payments to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by qualifying adverse weather events. LIP also covers losses due to eligible diseases and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. This includes attacks by wolves and predatory birds.
In addition to the new LIP Decision Tool, the FarmRaise educational hub offers several, easily navigated farm loan programs how-to videos designed to introduce producers to FSA’s many farm loan programs options and guide them through the application process.
More FSA program resources and tools will soon be added to the FarmRaise educational hub. Cooperators and agricultural producers are encouraged to visit the FarmRaise educational hub often to access all available resources.
About the Partnership
USDA cooperators are organizations on the frontlines of access and often are the first point of contact connecting farmers to USDA programs. The partnership between FarmRaise, Inc. and FSA, through a cooperative agreement, aims to improve producer participation and customer experience in USDA programs through education and technical assistance to young, beginning, and small-scale to mid-sized producers, producers with disabilities, and veterans.
By developing a digital educational hub that delivers free, user-friendly, producer and cooperator-tested resources USDA and FarmRaise, Inc. will help FSA expedite program delivery to agricultural producers. The hub offers how-to videos and visual aids that educate producers about FSA programs and prepares them for submitting applications for program participation.
More Information
For more information about FSA farm and farm loan programs, visit fsa.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center - farmers.gov/service-center-locator. To learn more about.
Prospective applicants can now apply for available positions at ClimateCorps.gov
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected 28 organizations to host members of USDA’s Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC), an effort that will train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders, providing technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people and helping them deliver climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers. Selections were made in partnership with The Corps Network. WLCC is part of President Biden’s historic American Climate Corps initiative and harnesses funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. Last month, President Biden announced that Americans can now apply to join the American Climate Corps through a newly launched website, ClimateCorps.gov.
Eligible organizations were invited to apply in February. Awarded host organizations will work collaboratively with state and county-level NRCS staff to facilitate and track the climate work of WLCC members. Prospective applicants can now apply for available positions at ClimateCorps.gov
The selected host organizations are:
- American Forest Foundation
- Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District
- Colorado Department of Agriculture
- Conservation Legacy
- Cornell University- Climate Smart Farming Program
- Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
- East Carolina University
- Family Nurturing Center
- Fresno Metro Ministry
- Glynwood Center, Inc.
- Michigan Department of Agriculture
- Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation
- Monarch Joint Venture
- Nature for Justice
- Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, d/b/a Pasa Sustainable Agriculture
- Pheasants Forever
- Rogue Farm Corps
- Sandhills Area Research Association
- The Curators of the University of Missouri
- The Nature Conservancy
- United Way of Southwest Colorado
- University of Maine System acting through Univ. of Maine
- Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District
- Utah State University Utah Conservation Corps
- White River Natural Resources Conservation District
- Wild Farm Alliance
- Working Landscapes
Working with partners and host organizations, this effort will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people, helping them deliver economic benefits through climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers across the country, now and in the future.
Through the first cohort of members, more than 100 young people will serve with 28 state and local host organizations in 25 states receiving on-the ground experience and training with partners and organizations who conduct programming to support the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices and systems. Some examples of activities include:
- Developing and providing climate-smart agriculture outreach and education to agricultural producers, such as workshops and training sessions;
- Assisting in field surveying, site inspections and easement monitoring; and
- Working with conservation professionals to support conservation practice design and conservation planning activities.
Applications are now open for WLCC positions at the selected host sites.
NRCS is working in partnership with The Corps Network, AmeriCorps, and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) in this effort.
Working Lands Climate Corps Training Program
The WLCC Training Program, led by NACD, will provide training for WLCC members, including a comprehensive overview of conservation concepts, practices, and systems, with a strong emphasis on locally led and landscape-scale efforts through virtual learning.
The training will cover a range of specific topics, from understanding diverse types of agriculture to planning effective outreach events and communicating about complex issues like climate change. The training resources will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders to advance conservation objectives.
Overall, the program is designed to provide a foundation for those entering the field of conservation, offering a broad overview of the key players, processes, and challenges involved.
This WLCC Training Program is in addition to the trainings and resources that will be available to all American Climate Corps members.
American Climate Corps and Joining the WLCC
The WLCC is part of the American Climate Corps, a workforce training and service initiative that is working to ensure more young people have access to the skills-based training needed for good paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy.
This announcement builds on the Biden Administrations announcement from last week, inviting Americans to apply to join the American Climate Corps through a newly launched website, ClimateCorps.gov. The website will feature nearly 2,000 positions located across 36 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico and will be regularly updated with new positions. The first class of the American Climate Corps will be deployed to communities across the country in June 2024.
Those interested in joining the WLCC can visit the American Climate Corps recruitment portal on the website to see available opportunities.
Supporting Historic Climate Smart Agriculture Investments
President Biden launched the American Climate Corps to train young people in high-demand skills for jobs in the clean energy economy. The American Climate Corps will put a new generation of Americans to work conserving our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, advancing environmental justice, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and tackling climate change. American Climate Corps members will gain the skills necessary to access good-paying jobs that are aligned with high-quality employment opportunities after they complete their paid training or service program.
USDA is one of the seven agencies that signed a memorandum of understanding to shape the American Climate Corps, which will serve as a blueprint for the multiagency program. The memorandum of understanding lays out the mission, goals, priorities, and next steps for implementing the American Climate Corps.
The American Climate Corps will focus on equity and environmental justice – prioritizing communities traditionally left behind, including through outreach and climate-smart agriculture assistance, leveraging the talents of all members of our society and prioritizing projects that help meet the Administration’s Justice40 goal.
The American Climate Corps also delivers on the President’s America the Beautiful Initiative by training the next generation of land and waters stewards.
To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
Funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will help farmers save money, create new revenue streams, enhance natural resources, and tackle the climate crisis
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of an historic $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting project proposals now through July 2, 2024, that will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis. These projects in turn can save farmers money, create new revenue streams, and increase productivity.
The investments in climate-smart agriculture that USDA has made since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, and will continue to make through the Inflation Reduction Act and Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, are estimated to support over 180,000 farms and over 225 million acres in the next 5 years.
Today’s investment is made available through the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history, which has enabled USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost funding for RCPP. Additionally, NRCS is announcing progress on its effort to streamline and simplify RCPP and improve processes and implementation.
There are two separate funding opportunities being announced today: RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, the lead partner works directly with agricultural producers to support the development of innovative conservation approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic. NRCS will set aside $100 million for Tribal-led projects to be used between both funding opportunities.
The 2024 RCPP funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, urban agriculture, conservation, and environmental justice. This funding advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Today’s action also advances President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative, a 10-year, locally led and nationally scaled conservation initiative that includes the voluntary efforts of farmers, ranchers and private landowners.
NRCS encourages proposals led by historically underserved entities or Indian tribes.
Project proposals for RCPP are being accepted through the RCPP portal. Details on the RCPP Classic and RCPP AFA funding opportunities are available on Grants.gov.
NRCS will be hosting webinars to provide additional information. Learn how to participate at the RCPP website.
More about RCPP
RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.
In November 2023, NRCS announced more than $1 billion for 81 RCPP projects across the country. View the interactive map of awarded projects here.
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, NRCS has invested a total of $1.8 billion in 256 RCPP projects covering 49 states and territories.
More about the RCPP Improvement Effort
Through a concerted effort in 2023 using feedback and expertise from partners, employees, leadership and stakeholders, NRCS identified several improvements to RCPP that the agency has implemented and will continue to implement in the months and years ahead. In fiscal year 2024, NRCS is:
- Streamlining RCPP agreement negotiation to allow simultaneous execution of program partnership and supplemental agreements;
- Updating policy and business tools to streamline the development of RCPP agreement deliverables and reducing the need for nationally approved waivers;
- Conducting annual comprehensive training for state program managers and support staff; and
- Delegating additional authority to State Conservationists to support locally led projects.
NRCS will continue to invest in creating a new business tool to support greater automation of RCPP agreement development, obligating funding to partners, and quicker processing of payments.
NRCS is working on model easement deeds to streamline implementation of RCPP easements that use common deed terms for specific land uses.
This year, NRCS aims to reduce negotiation time from 15 months to 6 months, with the goal to reduce the time even further in future years.
For the full list of RCPP improvements NRCS has identified, please visit our website.
In addition to improving RCPP, NRCS is also working to make improvements to its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and Conservation Stewardship Program to make them function better for producers, partners and staff.
More about the Inflation Reduction Act
These two RCPP funding opportunities include Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act funds.
In total, the Inflation Reduction Act provides $19.5 billion over five years to support USDA’s oversubscribed conservation programs, including $4.95 billion for RCPP over five years. The Inflation Reduction Act, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, represents the single largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history. Learn more about NRCS’ Inflation Reduction Act investments in fiscal year 2023.
To learn more, visit usda.gov.
More Information
OUAIP was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by NRCS and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture and innovative production. Other efforts include:
- Administering the People’s Garden Initiative, which celebrates collaborative gardens across the country and worldwide that benefit their communities by growing fresh, healthy food and supporting resilient, local food systems using sustainable practices and providing greenspace.
- Creating and managing a Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production to advise the Secretary on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban agriculture.
- Providing cooperative agreements that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.
- Investing in risk management education to broaden reach of crop insurance among urban and innovative producers.
- Organizing 27 FSA urban county committees to make important decisions about how FSA farm programs are administered locally. Urban farmers who participate in USDA programs in the areas selected are encouraged to participate by nominating and voting for county committee members.
- Establishing 17 new Urban Service Centers staffed by FSA and NRCS employees where urban producers can access farm loan, conservation, disaster assistance and risk management programs.
- Partnering with the Vermont Law and Graduate School Center for Agriculture and Food Systems to develop resources that help growers understand and work through local policies.
Learn more at usda.gov/urban. For additional resources available to producers, download the Urban Agriculture at a Glance brochure or visit farmers.gov/urban.
Grant Application Period: May 7th- July 5th, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $22.3 million available to community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities that help underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through USDA’s 2501 Program. This program is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
For more than 30 years, and in partnership with organizations nationwide, the 2501 Program has helped reach underserved farmers and ranchers. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the program to include assistance to veteran farmers and ranchers. The 2018 Farm Bill increased mandatory funding for the program through fiscal year 2024. With 2501 funding, organizations conduct education, training, farming demonstrations, and conferences on farming and agribusiness.
Since 2010, the 2501 Program has continued to increase access to USDA’s programs and services and awarded 615 grants totaling more than $194 million. For example, FY 2023 grantee Farm to Table Guam is helping farmers in Guam with business training, financial planning, and technical assistance in crop production and distribution. Quivira Coalition is reaching rural producers in New Mexico with radio spots in English, Spanish, and Diné Bizaad (Navajo) about arid land stewardship practices and conservation.
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and a range of higher education institutions.
Applications must be submitted through grants.gov and received by Friday, July 5, 2024. Visit the 2501 Program page for more information on the 2501 funding opportunity.
Learn more through upcoming webinars:
Call for Peer Review Panelists
USDA seeks qualified individuals to serve as peer reviewers to evaluate 2501 program proposals for fiscal year 2024. The peer review approach brings together diverse individuals who can provide fair, expert and unbiased evaluation of proposals. The process ensures that grant projects are properly planned, competition is open and fair, proposed budgets are carefully examined, and grant awards are structured to protect the interests of the government.
The entire review process will be conducted virtually for approximately three to four weeks. Selected reviewers will receive compensation. Visit the OPPE website for full details. If you are interested in serving on the peer review panel, and your affiliated organization is not applying for a 2501 grant, please send your resume and summary of qualifications to 2501grants@usda.gov no later than May 22, 2024, for consideration.
For more information on this event, please contact 2501Grants@usda.gov or visit Underserved and Veteran Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters | USDA
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The new Shellfish Pilot Crop Insurance Program, offered through the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), offers you, as an oyster producer, needed protection from environmental challenges and it also allows you to insure for a higher price based on your personal sales records. You are now eligible for protection against losses due to named storms, excessive heat during a low tide event, freeze during a low tide event, or low salinity due to excessive rainfall.
After the 2018 Farm Bill, shellfish producers expressed a strong desire for a crop insurance program tailored to their operations and needs, rather than modifying Whole Farm Revenue Protection options. So, in early 2020, we began hosting listening sessions with these producers, which led to the creation of RMA’s Shellfish Development Team and a contract to develop a pilot program that RMA rolled out in a limited area for the 2024 crop year.
Not only RMA, but the entire USDA, has improved its risk management options for shellfish producers. The new shellfish program leverages existing producer records, reducing record-keeping burdens. It offers personalized protection based on a producer’s oyster survival rates and prices. For some producers, relying on a county average price just doesn’t cut it.
RMA’s Shellfish Development Team, which included Regional Offices representing coastal areas and members from Product Management, represents teamwork at its finest. Creating a new shellfish program with limited historical data availability was no small task!
There were a lot of challenges. Overall, the product is much different due to the diverse production methods and growth cycles of the crop. Accounting for these differences made it challenging to develop a product that would be actuarially sound while not making the program too burdensome to producers.
This new shellfish program is incredibly important for aquaculture producers who are historically underserved by USDA programs. Additionally, with the global population projected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, there will be enormous demand for seafood products and a greater need for risk management options.
As many you know, farmed oysters are a growing industry and one of the most sustainable seafoods available. But oyster producers face production risks like any other farmers and RMA is uniquely positioned to help them manage these risks.
This program allows producers who typically have not participated in government programs to have a risk management tool for a very unique crop. During our outreach efforts, there has been a lot of interest from other aquaculture sectors to be added to this program.
Of course, improving existing programs and expanding the commodities that Federal crop insurance covers is an ongoing effort. We are working with the FCIC Board of Directors to improve the shellfish program for 2025 and we’re hoping it can expand to other underwater farmed fish species in the future!
However, shellfish are part of a much bigger picture at RMA. We’re working every day to support the largest permanent Farm Safety Net program in the world. There were roughly $30 billion in Federal crop insurance liabilities nationwide about 25 years ago—today that figure is north of $200 billion.
A key factor behind that enormous growth in a quarter century is program expansion. When Federal crop insurance first became available 85 years ago, only wheat was covered. Today, nearly 600 commodities are insured. One sector of agriculture that has seen particular growth in coverage over the past few decades is aquaculture.
Learn more about RMA’s Shellfish Crop Insurance Program.
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