New Jersey State FSA Newsletter - August 2024
In This Issue:
 If natural disasters impacted your farm in 2022, there’s still time to submit your application for ERP assistance before the Aug. 14 deadline.
The deadline for commodity and specialty crop producers to apply for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) for 2022 natural disaster losses is Aug. 14, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began accepting ERP 2022 applications in October 2023.
Through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) Congress allocated $3.2 billion in funding to cover an estimated $10 billion in uncovered crop losses.
ERP 2022 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.
Read more here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/New-Jersey/news-releases/2024/usda-announces-august-14-application-deadline-for-emergency-relief-program-assistance-for-commodity-and-specialty-crop-producers-impacted-by-2022-natural-disasters
More Information
ERP 2022 eligibility details and payment calculation factor tables are available on FSA’s Emergency Relief webpage, in the ERP Track 1 and ERP Track 2 fact sheets and through the FSA at your local USDA Service Center.
 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) from New Jersey agricultural producers and owners of nonindustrial private forestland to address damage from recent severe storms that occurred Jan. 1 through June 30, 2024. The statewide signup period for both ECP and EFRP runs July 29 through Aug. 28, 2024.
These programs may also be able to address damage from ash trees that were killed by emerald ash borer beetles.
“Recovering from the impacts of natural disasters is never easy, but there’s no need to go it alone,” said Robert Andrzejczak, State Executive Director for FSA in New Jersey. “If you have an immediate need to clean up and restore your farm and forestland and need assistance, we’re ready to help but it’s imperative that you call our office for to determine program eligibility and restoration practice approval before you take any action.”
Read more here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/New-Jersey/news-releases/2024/farm-service-agency-is-accepting-emergency-conservation-program-and-emergency-forest-restoration-applications-from-new-jersey-producers
More Information
For more information on ECP or EFRP, please contact your local USDA service center or visit farmers.gov/recover.
Additional Important Information
Myth: I can complete restoration after a natural disaster and later request ECP/EFRP assistance to receive cost-share.
Fact: Cropland and forestland owners whose land has been damaged by a natural disaster should contact their local FSA County Office to inquire about applying for ECP/EFRP as soon as possible after the natural disaster occurs. FSA and/or its partners (such as the U.S. Forest Service or state forestry agencies) will need to perform an on-site inspection to document damage, identify needed restoration activities, and and develop a forest restoration plan for EFRP applicants. Any restoration activities done before a producer applies for the program may not be reimbursed, unless:
- The natural disaster created a situation that required immediate emergency action to prevent further losses.
- A waiver is requested by the applicant and approved by FSA.
An ECP/EFRP application is submitted within a reasonable amount of time after the start of the enrollment period.
The Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) helps you manage risk through coverage for both crop losses and crop planting that was prevented due to natural disasters. The eligible or “noninsured” crops include agricultural commodities not covered by federal crop insurance.
You must be enrolled in the program and have purchased coverage for the eligible crop in the crop year and county in which the loss incurred to receive program benefits following a qualifying natural disaster.
The next closing deadline for New Jersey is September 30th for Aquaculture, Christmas Trees, Flowers, Grass (SOD), Garlic, Grass (Hay), Mixed Forage, Rye, Teff. New Jersey coverage deadlines: by closing date or by crop .
NAP Buy-Up Coverage Option
NAP offers higher levels of coverage, from 50 to 65 percent of expected production in 5 percent increments, at 100 percent of the average market price. Buy-up levels of NAP coverage are available if the producer can show at least one year of previously successfully growing the crop for which coverage is being requested.
Producers of organics and crops marketed directly to consumers also may exercise the “buy-up” option to obtain NAP coverage of 100 percent of the average market price at the coverage levels of between 50 and 65 percent of expected production.
NAP basic coverage is available at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production.
Buy-up coverage is not available for crops intended for grazing.
NAP Service Fees
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.
NAP Enhancements for Qualified Military Veterans
Qualified veteran farmers or ranchers are eligible for a service fee waiver and premium reduction, if the NAP applicant meets certain eligibility criteria.
Beginning, limited resource and targeted underserved farmers or ranchers remain eligible for a waiver of NAP service fees and premium reduction when they file form CCC-860, “Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource and Beginning Farmer or Rancher Certification.”
For NAP application, eligibility and related program information, contact your USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov/nap
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Farmers and ranchers know all too well that natural disasters can be a common, and likely a costly, variable to their operation. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has emergency assistance programs to provide assistance when disasters strike, and for some of those programs, a disaster designation may be the eligibility trigger. When natural disaster occurs, there is a process for requesting a USDA Secretarial disaster designation for a county. You can play a vital role in this process.
If you have experienced a production loss as a result of a natural disaster you may submit a request to your local FSA county office for your county to be evaluated for a Secretarial disaster designation. Once a request is received, the county office will collect disaster data and create a Loss Assessment Report. The County Emergency Board will review the Loss Assessment Report and determine if a recommendation is sent forward to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for the designation.
Disaster Decelerations in New Jersey can be found on our state webpage by clicking here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/New-Jersey/index#Disaster_Designations
For more information on FSA disaster programs and disaster designations, contact your local county office.
Click on the box below to submit a report. Please make sure to include:
- Your county
- Disaster type
- Disaster date(s)
- Crops impacted
- Impacted acreage
- Contact number (optional)
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Emergency Loans
One of the programs that rely on disaster declarations are Emergency loans. Emergency Loans help you recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding and other natural disasters or quarantine.
You have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. You can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses, to a maximum amount of $500,000.
Want to know if you are currently in a county that is eligible for an Emergency Loans? Visit our state webpage to find out: New Jersey Disaster Declarations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for its Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in New Jersey available to the public for a 30-day review and comment period. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), in coordination with the New Jersey State Department of Agriculture, prepared the draft assessment which evaluates the potential effects of expanding the existing New Jersey CREP to a targeted enrollment of up to 30,000 acres statewide. The public review and comment period ends August 9, 2024.
Read more here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFARMERS/bulletins/3a7cb7a
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 USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities effort is expanding markets for America’s climate-smart commodities, leveraging the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and providing direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers. Learn more about expanded markets, premiums and incentives for producing climate-smart commodities as well as cost share and technical assistance to implement climate-smart practices. Find a project near you and get started today!
 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program to now include medium-sized businesses in addition to small businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can apply for assistance for expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification. The program has also been expanded to include assistance for 2024 and 2025 expenses. Producers can apply for assistance on their calendar year 2024 expenses beginning July 1, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025. For program year 2025, the application period will be Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2026.
Specialty crop operations can receive the following cost assistance:
- Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification.
- Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan.
- Food safety certification.
- Certification upload fees.
- Microbiological testing for products, soil amendments and water.
Read more here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/New-Jersey/news-releases/2024/usda-expands-funding-opportunities-for-specialty-crop-growers-to-help-offset-on-farm-food-safety-expenses-for-2024-and-2025-
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The deadline for nominations is Sept. 3, 2024.
The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint up to 25 individuals, for two-year terms, to succeed members whose terms expire Oct. 28, 2024.
Detailed information about the advisory committee’s background, candidate qualifications, requirements and forms are available on USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service website on the FVIAC Nomination Information webpage.
Nomination packages may be submitted by email to SCPFVIAC@usda.gov, which is preferred, or mailed to: Jennie M. Varela, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Attn: Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, 1124 1st Street South, Winter Haven, FL, 33880.
Established in 2001, the FVIAC is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Committee members represent the spectrum of the fruit and vegetable industry including shippers, wholesalers, brokers, retailers, processors, fresh cut processors, foodservice suppliers, state agencies, state departments of agriculture and trade associations. The FVIAC meets at least twice a year to develop recommendations on issues affecting the U.S. produce industry.
USDA encourages nominees who reflect the full diversity of the produce sector in terms of size and scale of operation, industry role, demographic characteristics, geographic location and production methods. Qualified candidates include active members of the fruit and vegetable industry serving in one of the above-mentioned agricultural capacities.
Information about the committee is available on the AMS Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee webpage
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