Florida USDA Newsletter - November 2024

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US Department of Agriculture

Florida USDA  -  November 14, 2023

In This Issue:


USDA Disaster Assistance Available for Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton Recovery

damage to fence

USDA is working diligently to implement program flexibilities and waivers for producers impacted by recent hurricanes to help streamline your recovery process. Periodically check the Hurricane webpage on farmers.gov for updates and resources as we are regularly reviewing our disaster assistance programs.

Some of our current resources include:

Documenting Loss 

We encourage you to document damages and losses your operation has sustained as best you can, including gathering farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses. Livestock producers are advised to document livestock numbers by taking time and date-stamped video or pictures of injury or loss, to the extent possible. Please know that we recognize these are extremely extenuating and stressful circumstances and there may be instances where documentation is lost, destroyed or unattainable. Regardless, please contact us and we will do whatever we can to help you access the assistance you need. 

Reporting Loss 

Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, be sure to contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or your crop insurance agent to report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses. For producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance, the USDA Risk Management Agency has authorized Approved Insurance Providers to provide flexibility on reporting requirements for those who are unable to report losses due the disaster.  

Getting Assistance

When you’re ready, we’re ready.  To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center

USDA has resources available through the FSA call center at 877-508-8364, the USDA hotline at 833-ONE-USDA (663-8732), or producers can access program information online at farmers.gov


USDA-NRCS Florida Expedites Disaster Assistance Sign-up through Environmental Quality Incentives Program

equip hurricane

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is currently accepting applications for disaster assistance to help agricultural landowners and producers address resource concerns from  damages caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. Approximately $26 million will be made available through its Emergency Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The sign-up period for EQIP disaster assistance applications ends December 20, 2024.

NRCS Florida is evaluating disaster assistance applications using the ACT NOW process. ACT NOW allows NRCS to pre-approve ranked application when the ranking score meets or exceeds an established threshold score. The minimum threshold ranking score for EQIP disaster assistance funding is 50 points. Applications will be batched and processed in the order received. 

To expedite hurricane disaster recovery, Florida NRCS is offering early start waivers to allow commencement of conservation practices prior to program contract approval. EQIP disaster assistance funding is target to the following conservation practices.

  • 325 – High Tunnel System
  • 368 – Emergency Animal Mortality Management
  • 384 – Woody Residue Treatment
  • 400 – Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control
  • 442 – Sprinkler System (center pivots)
  • 484 – Mulching
  • 590 – Nutrient Management
  • 595 – Pest Management Conservation System
  • 612 – Tree/Shrub Establishment

Florida counties targeted for EQIP disaster assistance include:  Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla.

NRCS Florida Hurricane Recovery Webinar

NRCS Florida hosted a public webinar on October 30, 2024, in support of Hurricane Recovery Assistance to agricultural landowners and producers affected by hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. View Hurricane Recovery Webinar.

Additional USDA Disaster Resources:

Florida NRCS: Hurricane Emergency Assistance Updates - Florida | Natural Resources Conservation Service

For the latest on USDA efforts: visit the Hurricane Recovery webpage on farmers.gov

Find your local USDA Service Center:  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact

View original news release here.


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 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 FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery or via electronic means. 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 a FSA employee ready to assist. Visit farmers.gov/food-safety for additional program details, eligibility information and forms needed to apply. 

More Information  

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. Producers without an account can sign up today.  


USDA Launches Online Debt Consolidation Tool to Increase Farmer and Rancher Financial Viability

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the launch of the Debt Consolidation Tool, an innovative online tool available through farmers.gov that allows agricultural producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might be provided by obtaining a debt consolidation loan with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) or a local lender. 

A debt consolidation loan is a new loan used to pay off other existing operating loans or lines of credit that might have unreasonable rates and terms. By combining multiple eligible debts into a single, larger loan, borrowers may obtain more favorable payment terms such as a lower interest rate or lower payments. Consolidating debt may also provide farmers and ranchers additional cash flow flexibilities.   

The Debt Consolidation Tool is a significant addition to FSA’s suite of improvements designed to modernize its Farm Loan Programs. The tool enhances customer service and increases opportunities for farmers and ranchers to achieve financial viability by helping them identify potential savings that could be reinvested in their farming and ranching operation, retirement accounts, or college savings accounts.   

Producers can access the Debt Consolidation Tool by visiting farmers.gov/debt-consolidation-tool. The tool is built to run on modern browsers including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or the Safari browser. Producers do not need to create a farmers.gov account or access the authenticated customer portal to use the tool.  

Additional Farm Loan Programs Improvements   

FSA recently announced significant changes to Farm Loan Programs through the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule. These policy changes, to take effect September 25, 2024, are designed to better assist borrowers to make strategic investments in the enhancement or expansion of their agricultural operations.   

FSA also has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made several impactful improvements including: 

  • The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process. 
  • The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet, and build a farm operating plan.  
  • An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local USDA Service Center to pay a loan installment.  
  • A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.  
  • A new educational hub with farm loan resources and videos.  

USDA encourages producers to reach out to their local FSA farm loan staff to ensure they fully understand the wide range of loan and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining their agricultural operation. To conduct business with FSA, please contact your local USDA Service Center.  


Subscribe to Receive Updates on Careers with USDA

If you’re interested in starting a career with USDA, subscribe to receive free email alerts on select positions within the USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Risk Management Agency and Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.  

All federal job vacancies within USDA are posted on usajobs.gov. In order to further promote employment opportunities, we are going to start sending emails that highlight select positions.  

If you want to keep up with vacancy announcements via email, you can subscribe to “Careers” by visiting farmers.gov/subscribe and completing the following steps.  

  • Select “email” as your subscription type 
  • Enter your email address 
  • Click “submit”  
  • Select the “Careers” topic under “Connect with us”  
  • Click “submit” to verify your subscription topic choice at the bottom of the page 

Not all job vacancy announcements will be shared via email, but you can view a current list of all job openings at any time by visiting usajobs.gov.  

For additional information or assistance with your subscription, contact your local USDA Service Center by visiting farmers.gov/service-center-locator.  

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 


Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida for Avocado Fruit

avocado

Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida avocado fruit growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2025 crop year is November 30. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the November 30 sales closing date 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 is available for avocado fruit in Miami-Dade County.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2025 crop year.

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.


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. A valid CCC-902 filed by the participant is considered to be a continuous certification used for all payment eligibility and payment limitation determinations applicable for the program benefits requested.  

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.                            

Changes that may require a NEW determination include, but are not limited to, a change of: 

  • Shares of a contract, which may reflect:  
  • A land lease from cash rent to share rent 
  • A land lease from share rent to cash rent (subject to the cash rent tenant rule 
  • A modification of a variable/fixed bushel-rent arrangement 
  • The size of the producer’s farming operation by the addition or reduction of cropland that may affect the application of a cropland factor 
  • The structure of the farming operation, including any change to a member's share 
  • The contribution of farm inputs of capital, land, equipment, active personal labor, and/or active personal management 
  • Farming interests not previously disclosed on CCC-902 including the farming interests of a spouse or minor child 
  • Certifications of average AGI are required to be filed annually for participation in an annual USDA program.  For multi-year conservation contracts and NRCS easements, a certification of AGI must be filed prior to approval of the contract or easement and is applicable for the duration of the contract period.  

Participants are encouraged to file or review these forms within the deadlines established for each applicable program for which program benefits are being requested. 


Florida Ag Landowners and Entities Still Have Time to Sign up for Fiscal Year 2025 Inflation Reduction Act, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program funding

birds

Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for Wetland Reserve Easements and Agricultural Land Easements through December 20, 2024

Florida landowners and eligible entities interested in signing up for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) funding are reminded that the deadline to apply to be considered for both Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) is Friday, December 20, 2024.

The programs are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Applications can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for the FY 2025 IRA funding opportunities, completed applications must be received by the National cutoff date. 

Applications for this IRA ACEP received after December 20, 2024, will be considered for the FY 2025 General Easements sign-up continuation. The deadline for the General Easements signup is January 31, 2025.   ACEP protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting non-agricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values.  ACEP protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, as well as protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.

ACEP has two components:

  • Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and Tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities (such as state and local governments) to protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.
  • Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) help private and Tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.

The IRA included $1.4 billion in additional funding for ACEP over five years and it revised ACEP authority, providing IRA funding for easements that will most reduce, capture, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions, and extend regular program funding through FY 2031. NRCS is streamlining ACEP to ensure that the program is easier and more convenient to utilize, as well as to strengthen the implementation of the IRA. Specifically, NRCS is streamlining ACEP appraisals, land surveys, and certifying eligible entities who help NRCS and producers enroll land into ALE. In addition, NRCS is expanding the National priority areas eligible for IRA funding for ACEP easements. For more information, see The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Inflation Reduction Act fact sheet.

Read full news release here.


Overview of Emergency Disaster Declarations and Designations

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.

FSA administers four types of disaster designations.

USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation

  • The designation process can be initiated by individual farmers, local government officials, State governors, State agriculture commissions, tribal councils or the FSA State Executive Director
  • This designation is triggered by a 30-percent or greater production loss to at least one crop because of a natural disaster, or at least one producer who sustained individual losses because of a natural disaster and is unable to obtain commercial financing to cover those losses
  • In 2012, USDA developed a fast-track process for disaster declarations for severe drought. This provides for a nearly automatic designation when, during the growing season, any portion of a county meets the D2 (Severe Drought) drought intensity value for eight consecutive weeks or a higher drought intensity value for any length of time as reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor (http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu)

Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification

  • This designation is initiated by the FSA State Executive Director.
  • The designation is triggered by physical damage and losses because of a natural disaster, including but not limited to dead livestock, collapsed buildings, and destroyed farm structures.

Presidential Designation

  • A Presidential major disaster designation and emergency declaration is initiated by the Governor of the impacted state through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  • This designation is triggered by damage and losses caused by a disaster of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capability of the State and local governments.

Quarantine Designation

  • This designation is requested of the Secretary of Agriculture by the FSA State Executive Director.
  • A quarantine designation is triggered by damage and losses caused by the effects of a plant or animal quarantine approved by the Secretary under the Plant Protection Act or animal quarantine laws.

All four types of designations immediately trigger the availability of low-interest Emergency loans to eligible producers in all primary and contiguous counties. FSA borrowers in these counties who are unable to make their scheduled payments on any debt may be authorized to have certain set asides. Additional disaster assistance requiring a designation may also be provided by new programs in the future.

For more information on FSA disaster programs and disaster designations, contact your Local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov/disaster.


Applying for Youth Loans

youth with advisor

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes loans to youth to establish and operate agricultural income-producing projects in connection with 4-H clubs, FFA and other agricultural groups. Projects must be planned and operated with the help of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience. The maximum loan amount is $10,000.

Youth Loan Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a citizen of the United States (which includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) or a legal resident alien
  • Be 10 years to 20 years of age
  • Comply with FSA’s general eligibility requirements
  • Conduct a modest income-producing project in a supervised program of work as outlined above
  • Demonstrate capability of planning, managing and operating the project under guidance and assistance from a project advisor. The project supervisor must recommend the youth loan applicant, along with providing adequate supervision.

For help preparing the application forms, contact your Local County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.


Dates to Remember

Nov 29 - Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)

Dec 20 - Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Ranking Date

Jan 31 - Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC)


Selected Interest Rates for November 2024

Farm Operating - Direct 4.500%
Farm Operating - Microloan 4.500%
Farm Ownership - Direct 5.125%
Farm Ownership - Microloan 5.125%
Farm Ownership - Direct, Joint Financing  3.125%
Farm Ownership - Down Payment 1.500%
Emergency Loan - Amount of Actual Loss 3.750%

 



Florida USDA

4500 NW 27th Ave
Gainesville, FL 32606

Phone: 352-338-3400

FSA State Executive Director
Deborah Tannenbaum 
deborah.tannenbaum@usda.gov

NRCS State Conservationist
Juan Hernandez 
juan.hernandez@usda.gov

RMA Regional Office Director
Davina Lee
davina.lee@usda.gov