Rhode Island Service Center Newsletter - November 13, 2024
In This Issue:
As this will be my last newsletter message, I would like to thank all of the wonderful farmers, non-profit organizations, and state and government employees that I have had the privilege of working with during my time as State Executive Director in Rhode Island. During these last few years I have been fortunate to work with a dedicated staff in FSA as well as with our partners in NRCS and RD, striving to provide the best possible assistance to our collective producers. It’s been my honor to have been able to cap my almost 50 years of public and private service to farmers with this position. I will look forward to seeing Rhode Island agriculture continue on the path of growth in the next Ag Census!
Looking forward, according to the 2024 Farmers Almanac we can expect a mild winter here in Rhode Island – welcome news as our neighboring states of Connecticut and Massachusetts are still recovering from strong late summer storms and fall wildfires. We managed to have a fairly uneventful crop year here in Rhode Island although we are currently monitoring moderate drought conditions within the state. FSA continues to work with our producers who were impacted by the 2022 drought, and I would encourage all producers to look at how they can reduce their crop losses for the future as more extreme weather conditions are becoming the trend.
Along with NRCS and Rural Development, FSA is working with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to host a producer oriented informational session on programs and funding for agricultural producers to conserve and reduce energy consumption. There are many climate-smart practices that producers can employ on their properties. Stay tuned for the announcement of sessions this coming winter.
A bit more good news for RI from the 2022 US Ag Census – the number of farms in RI and the percentage of land used for farming all increased! Although this could be due to a bump in participation, it is a welcome trend. We also saw an increase in women in farming and more beginning farmers. Unfortunately, we are also seeing an increase in the age of our producers overall. The high cost of land in RI creates an impediment for young farmers to own a farm; we encourage our ‘aging’ farmers to consider the future of their farms and come up with a succession plan.
For those operations where there is a need to look to the future, Land & Sea Together received a LASA grant for 2024 to host a second winter succession intensive program for 4 Rhode Island farms, including aquaculture farms. Applications opened Friday, October 25th for farmers seeking support in planning for their future. Deadline to apply is November 15, selected farms will be notified by November 22. Selected farms will receive $2000 towards their succession costs and 1:1 coaching and workshops. Email inquiries to Laurel@cmcri.org.
Visit the links below to apply and to learn more about their program offerings:
APPLICATION FORM
|
 |
Wishing you all the very best,
J. Eric Scherer
Rhode Island FSA State Executive Director
Looking for ways to do business with USDA that saves you time? Look no further than farmers.gov.
When you create an account for the farmers.gov authenticated customer portal, you have access to self-service features through a secure login. Managing your business with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is faster than ever. From e-signing documents, viewing, printing, and exporting maps and receiving notifications of payment disbursements, a farmers.gov authenticated account makes doing business with USDA easy and secure.
What can you do with your farmers.gov account?
- View FSA Farm Loan information including interest payments, loan advances, payment history and paid-in-full/restructured loans.
- Make USDA direct farm loan payments using the Pay My Loan feature.
- Access the Online Loan Application portal.
- View, print and export detailed FSA farm records and farm/tract maps.
- Import precision agriculture planting boundaries, create labels containing crop information, and print both on farm tract maps.
- View and print your FSA-156EZ with farm details
- View and print your Producer Farm Data Report
- View NRCS Disbursements and Farm Loans financial activity from the past 180 days.
- View your land, access NRCS data on your conservation plans, contracts, and planning land units through the Conservation Land Area page.
- View, upload, download and e-sign NRCS documents.
- Request NRCS conservation and financial assistance, including submitting a program application.
- View detailed information on all previous and ongoing NRCS contracts, including the amount of cost- share assistance received and anticipated; and even request contract modifications, report practice completion and request practice certification.
- “Switch Profiles” to act on behalf of your entity or another individual when you have active representative authority on file
For more information click on this link on how to access this tool: farmers.gov/account
^ back to top
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) long-awaited updates to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs are officially in effect. These changes, part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, are designed to increase financial flexibility for agricultural producers, allowing them to grow their operations, boost profitability, and build long-term savings.
These program updates reflect USDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the financial success and resilience of farmers and ranchers nationwide, offering critical tools to help borrowers manage their finances more effectively.
What the new rules mean for you:
- Low-interest installment set-aside program: Financially distressed borrowers can now defer up to one annual loan payment at a reduced interest rate. This simplified option helps ease financial pressure while keeping farming operations running smoothly.
- Flexible repayment terms: New repayment options give borrowers the ability to increase their cash flow and build working capital reserves, allowing for long-term financial planning that includes saving for retirement, education, and other future needs.
- Reduced collateral requirements: FSA has lowered the amount of additional loan security needed for direct farm loans, making it easier for borrowers to leverage their existing equity without putting their personal residence at risk.
These new rules provide more financial freedom to borrowers. By giving farmers and ranchers better tools to manage their operations, we’re helping them build long-term financial stability. It’s all about making sure they can keep their land, grow their business, and invest in the future.
If you’re an FSA borrower or considering applying for a loan, now is the time to take advantage of these new policies. We encourage you to reach out to your local FSA farm loan staff to ensure you fully understand the wide range of loan making and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining your agricultural operation.
To conduct business with FSA, producers should contact the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext. 2) or email Emma Schlam at Emma.Schlam@usda.gov.
^ back to top
|
Urban and innovative agriculture producers will be able to more easily participate in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs as a result of acreage reporting improvements. These improvements, implemented by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provide more flexibility for reporting acreage on a smaller scale and identifying innovative planting practices like multi-level planting or vertical farming practices.
An acreage report documents crops and where they are grown on a farm or ranch along with the intended use of the crop. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of program benefits.
Acreage Reporting Improvements
FSA’s acreage reporting software previously allowed acreage to be reported down to .0001 acres, approximately a four-square foot area. Producers will now be able to report acreage-based crops at a minimum size of .000001 acre, approximately a 2.5-inch by 2.5-inch area.
Additional improvements will distinguish alternate growing methods such as crops grown within multiple levels of a building, or crops grown using multi-level or multi-layer growing structures such as panels or towers within a container system. This change allows the distinction of vertical farming practices. Urban and innovative producers will also have the option to report plant inventory along with their acreage-based report, allowing producers to better report the full scope of their operation.
For more information, please contact the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext. 1) or email Lillian Toth at Lillian.Toth@usda.gov.
^ back to top
|
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.
Program Details
FSCSC assists specialty crop operations that incurred eligible on-farm food safety certification and expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety. FSCSC covers a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing its certification, as well as a portion of related expenses.
Eligible FSCSC applicants must be a specialty crop operation; meet the definition of a small or medium-size business and have paid eligible expenses related to certification.
- A small business has an average annual monetary value of specialty crops sold by the applicant during the three-year period preceding the program year of no more than $500,000.
- A medium size business has an average annual monetary value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the three-year period preceding the program year of at least $500,001 but no more than $1,000,000.
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.
- Training.
FSCSC payments are calculated separately for each eligible cost category. Details about payment rates and limitations are available at farmers.gov/food-safety.
Applying for Assistance
Interested applicants have until Jan. 31, 2025, to apply for assistance for 2024 eligible expenses. FSA will issue payments as applications are processed and approved. For program year 2025, the application period will be January 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026. FSA will issue 50% of the calculated payment for program year 2025 following application approval, with the remaining amount to be paid after the application deadline. If calculated payments exceed the amount of available funding, payments will be prorated.
Specialty crop producers can apply by completing the FSA-888-1, Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) for Program Years 2024 and 2025 application. The application, along with the AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet and SF-3881, ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form, if not already on file with FSA, can be submitted to the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext. 1) or by email Lillian Toth at Lillian.Toth@usda.gov. Alternatively, producers with an eAuthentication account can apply for FSCSC online. Producers interested in creating an eAuthentication account should visit farmers.gov/sign-in.
Specialty crop producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with an FSA employee ready to assist. Visit farmers.gov/food-safety for additional program details, eligibility information and forms needed to apply.
^ back to top
|
Foreign Investors Must Report U.S. Agricultural Land Holdings
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds foreign investors with an interest in agricultural land in the United States that they are required to report their land holdings and transactions to USDA...
Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation Compliance
Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to breaking sod, clearing land (tree removal), and of any drainage projects (tiling, ditching, etc.) to ensure compliance. Failure to update certification of compliance, with form AD-1026, triggering applicable HEL and/or wetland determinations, for any of these situations, can result in the loss of FSA farm program payments, FSA farm loans, NRCS program payments, and premium subsidy to Federal Crop Insurance administered by RMA...
Annual Review of Payment Eligibility for New Crop Year
FSA and NRCS program applicants for benefits are required to submit a completed CCC-902 Farming Operation Plan and CCC-941 Average Gross Income (AGI) Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information for FSA to determine the applicant’s payment eligibility and establish the maximum payment limitation applicable to the program applicant.
Participants are not required to annually submit new CCC-902s for payment eligibility and payment limitation purposes unless a change in the farming operation occurs that may affect the previous determination of record. However, participants are responsible for ensuring that all CCC-902 and CCC-941 and related forms on file in the county office are updated, current, and correct. Participants are required to timely notify the county office of any changes in the farming operation that may affect the previous determination of record by filing a new or updated CCC-902 as applicable.
Update Your Records
FSA is cleaning up our producer record database and needs your help. Please report any changes of address, zip code, phone number, email address or an incorrect name or business name on file to our office. You should also report changes in your farm operation, like the addition of a farm by lease or purchase. You should also report any changes to your operation in which you reorganize to form a Trust, LLC or other legal entity.
FSA and NRCS program participants are required to promptly report changes in their farming operation to the County Committee in writing and to update their Farm Operating Plan on form CCC-902.
To update your records, please contact the RI FSA Office at (401) 828-3120 (ext 1) or email Lillian Toth at Lillian.Toth@usda.gov.
^ back to top
 Dawn M. Spears’ “To All Our Relations” to be featured on 2024 American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month poster, celebrating coastal northeast indigenous cultures.
Dawn M. Spears of the Narragansett Indian Tribe has won the 2024 American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month poster contest, hosted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Her winning artwork, “To All Our Relations,” was picked by Rhode Island NRCS for the national poster. This year’s theme, “Facing East, Where Land Meets Water,” celebrates indigenous peoples of the coastal northeast.
Spears explains, “My painting shows the beautiful first relationships across the landscapes and waters of the Narragansett people. It reflects our culture and connection to mother earth and father sky.”
Rhode Island State Conservationist, Phou Vongkhamdy, is thrilled to feature Spears’ work. “Dawn’s piece really captures our theme and shows how people, land, and sea are all connected,” he said.
Based in Ashaway, R.I., Spears leads the Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance. She and her husband, Cassius Spears Sr., started the Narragansett Food Sovereignty Initiative in 2014 and run Ashawaug Farm.
Learn more about this year's poster contest.
^ back to top
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission (ALPC) will manage $5.6 million for their new “U.S. held agricultural easements to support farm viability in Rhode Island” project in partnership with NRCS. The ALPC will also provide over $1 million of in-kind partner contributions to the project.
The project is part of a historic $1.5 billion announced by USDA for 92 partner-driven conservation projects nationwide through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land.
^ back to top
|
 Rocky Hill School Wetland Restoration Easement salt marsh with intersecting runnels leading to Narragansett Bay.
NRCS is partnering with the Rocky Hill Country Day School, Save the Bay and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Mosquito Abatement Program to restore salt water marshes and facilitate marsh migration at the mouth of the Potowomut River in Warwick, Rhode Island.
The Rocky Hill salt marsh was showing signs of degradation — plant species conversion; water-logging on the marsh platform; vegetation thinning and dieback; peat subsidence; and expansion of invasive Phragmites australis and woody shrubs.
The degraded salt marsh was targeted for restoration and creation of a marsh migration corridor to mitigate sea level rise and human impacts (agricultural berms and ditches built for historic farming activities).
Rocky Hill School's salt marsh is also home to two wildlife species of concern: the Northern diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) and the Saltmarsh sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus). The property is one of only two confirmed locations in Rhode Island that support diamondback terrapin nesting. It also has one of the highest current population density scores for saltmarsh sparrows within Rhode Island.
NRCS worked with the Rocky Hill School to protect 22 acres of salt marsh and wetlands on their 85-acre property with a Wetland Reserve Easement. The Wetland Reserve Easement program is an excellent tool for terrapin and saltmarsh sparrow conservation because it provides for both easement acquisition and the use of NRCS conservation practices to conserve or create critical habitat for nesting success.
Learn more...
^ back to top
|
NRCS-RI Virtual State Technical Committee Meeting rescheduled for Dec. 5, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Every state has a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Technical Committee. The State Technical Committee provides input to the State Conservationist on technical guidelines necessary to implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. State Technical Committees serve in an advisory capacity to NRCS and other agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the implementation of the natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation. Committees are intended to include members from a wide variety of natural resource and agricultural interests. Learn More...
^ back to top
|
The State Office welcomes new NRCS Rhode Island Outreach Coordinator, Kat Zuromski.
Kat is a Rhode Island native from the woods of Foster. She has worked as a soil conservationist in the Norwich, Connecticut, field office for 7 years. Many may remember her when she worked with the Programs Division on detail last fall. Before she joined NRCS, she worked with our NRCS partners - both the RI Conservation Districts and the RI Resource Conservation and Development Council - on various grants and projects including the RI River and Stream Continuity Project. Kat loves the outdoors, hiking with her 2 dogs and working in her garden at her CT home. Please help us welcome Kat back to NRCS-RI!
|
Our NRCS Northern RI Field Office welcomes new Soil Conservationists, Sarah Wilkinson and Sydney Kerman.
Sarah Wilkinson grew up in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Before joining NRCS, she worked as an Environmental Field Technician with the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) for two years. She's excited to explore the northern part of the state now! In her free time Sarah enjoys hiking, camping, relaxing with her pets, and game nights.
|
Sydney Kerman was born in Massachusetts and has lived around the country, but has spent most of his life in Arizona. Sydney studied Sustainable Plant Systems at the University of Arizona for his undergraduate degree and also studied Agroecology in a master’s program abroad. In his free time, he likes to travel, hike, read, and play music, among other things. He's very excited to get to work with everybody here and looks forward to getting to know you all!
^ back to top
|
The Go-To Resource on RD’s Projects Past and Current
USDA’s Rural Development (RD) has been financing infrastructure and housing for more than 80 years – and you can access information about the breadth of RD investments all in one easy-to-use online resource: the Rural Data Gateway. This database is free and open (no accounts or passwords needed!) and provides a window into the expanse of financed projects – all the way from libraries, bio-fuel industries, and energy-efficient homes to broadband service and local grocery stores. RD is committed to supporting sustainable agriculture through energy and value-added projects. Take a look to see how RD has supported other rural communities and consider how RD might help your community going forward.
^ back to top
|
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.
^ back to top
|
USDA – Rhode Island
60 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
|
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
State Conservationist - Pooh Vongkhamdy
401-828-1300 | www.RI.nrcs.usda.gov
|
|
Eastern RI – Serving Newport and Bristol counties
|
|
NRCS Field Office
Ghyllian Alger, District Conservationist
401-822-8835 or Ghyllian.Alger@usda.gov
|
Conservation District Office
401-934-0842 or info@easternriconservation.org
|
|
Northern RI – Serving Providence County
|
|
NRCS Field Office
Kate Bousquet, District Conservationist
401-822-8814 or Kate.Bousquet@usda.gov
|
Conservation District Office
401-934-0840 or mallard.nricd@gmail.com
|
|
Southern RI – Serving Kent and Washington counties
|
|
NRCS Field Office
Jameson Long, District Conservationist
401-822-8837 or Jameson.Long@usda.gov
|
Conservation District Office
401-661-5761 or sricd.info@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
RI FSA County Office, Suite 49
RI FSA Farm Loan Team, Suite 62
RI FSA State Office, Suite 62
|
401-828-3120 Option 1
401-828-3120 Option 2
401-828-3120 Option 3
|
|
County Committee
|
|
Joseph Polseno, Chairperson
Erin Cabot, Member
Gilbert Rathbun Jr., Member
|
John Sousa, Vice Chairperson
William Coulter, Member
Dawn M Spears, SDA Member
|
|
State Committee
|
|
Al Bettencourt, Chairperson
Albert Brandon, Member
Michelle Garman, Member
|
Maggie Cole, Member
Cristina Cabrera, Member
|
|
|
|
