Ohio FSA State Newsletter - November 8, 2024
In This Edition of the Ohio FSA State Newsletter:
As we approach mid-November, producers are wrapping up harvest and fall tillage and preparing for the upcoming holiday season. Please be alert to FSA program application opportunities and deadlines.
FSA reminds producers who are interested in the 2025 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), of the need to apply for coverage by November 20, 2024, as this is the application deadline for 2025 NAP coverage on apples, asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, chestnuts, forage for hay and pasture, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, honey, maple sap and hops. NAP provides coverage on losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance is available. With the ongoing drought this year, producers are encouraged to consider NAP coverage as NAP is available for forage for hay and pasture. The deadline for NAP coverage is November 20, 2024. Please review the article below to learn more about NAP and contact your FSA County office soon to apply.
Dairy producers are reminded about the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP), as FSA will accept applications through November 29, 2024. ODMAP helps to mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats, and sheep. To apply, producers should contact their FSA County office.
We would also like to offer a big “thank you” to our County Committee (COC) members. They provide guidance to help with decisions necessary to administer FSA programs in their respective counties. They are locally elected farmers and producers who are taking time from their own operations to provide leadership and direction for our agency. FSA will be releasing the 2024 COC election ballots in early November. We strongly encourage you to get involved in the election process as COC members are representing you!
FSA mailed out ballots recently for the upcoming county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners in Ohio. Every FSA County office has an FSA County Committee elected by local producers. Each of the counties are divided into Local Administrative Areas (LAAs), and each year one or more of a county's LAAs are up for election. Producers who live in an LAA that is up for election should receive a ballot in the mail in early November. Individuals can identify the LAA they or their farming interests are located in via a county committee election GIS locator tool. Please take the time to return your ballot by the December 2 deadline. These committee members are critical to the day-to-day operations of your local FSA office and you get to have a say in who serves on your committee through the election process.
Did your specialty crop operation recently incur on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar year 2024? You may be eligible for financial assistance through FSA’s Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC). This program helps offset costs to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements. FSCSC will cover a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a percentage of their related expenses. FSA will accept FSCSC applications for program year 2024 through January 31, 2025.
Additional program details and more in-depth information is provided in our newsletter. Please don’t hesitate to contact your County FSA office for questions about our programs, loans and information that is included in this newsletter edition.
The 2024 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections began on Nov. 4, when ballots were mailed to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices, or to be postmarked, is Dec. 2, 2024.
County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible voter, farmers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm, may also be eligible to vote.
Eligible voters, in Local Administrative Areas (LAA's) that are up for election, who do not receive a ballot can obtain one from their local FSA county office. Customers can identify which LAA they or their farming operation is in by using the GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2025. More information on county committees, such as the COC fact sheet, can be found on the FSA website at fsa.usda.gov/elections or by contacting your FSA County office.
Conservation Reserve Program Participants Can Donate Haying and Grazing Rights
In response to persistent drought conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently announced that 79 Ohio counties are authorized for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres. CRP participants in all remaining Ohio counties are also authorized to donate emergency haying and grazing rights to livestock producers affected by severe drought conditions in southeast and southern Ohio.
“We’re experiencing historically significant drought conditions in Ohio, and many livestock producers in drought-impacted counties in our state are in urgent need of access to grazing acres and hay resources to sustain their herds,” said John Patterson, State Executive Director for FSA in Ohio. “If you have CRP acres and want to help our livestock producers, please contact your local FSA office, and we’ll help you navigate available emergency and non-emergency use options.”
Program Flexibilities and Eligibility
FSA, with concurrence from State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) partners, is waiving emergency haying and grazing restrictions for Ohio’s two SAFE projects: Ohio Pollinator & Monarch SAFE project and Ohio Upland Bird SAFE project. This added flexibility increases the number of acres available to livestock producers. FSA is currently evaluating opportunities to authorize emergency haying and grazing of land enrolled in CRP through the Ohio Lake Erie Watershed and Ohio Scioto River Watershed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreements.
The following Ohio counties are currently eligible for emergency haying and grazing: Adams, Allen, Ashland, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallia, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Portage, Preble, Putnam, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Shelby, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert, Vinton, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot.
CRP emergency haying and grazing eligibility triggers for counties when the D2 (severe drought) level is reached on the U.S. Drought Monitor for at least one week and if the county is outside of the primary nesting season, March 15 through July 15. Additionally, the 2018 farm bill authorized counties with a documented 40% loss of forage production to be eligible for emergency grazing and haying. There is no fee or annual rental payment reduction assessed for emergency haying and grazing.
How to Donate CRP Haying and Grazing Rights
Eligible CRP participants in all Ohio counties are authorized to donate emergency haying and grazing rights to livestock producers affected by severe drought conditions in southeast and southern Ohio until March 15, 2025.
Before the CRP acres are hayed or grazed, participants who want to donate CRP acres for the purpose of emergency grazing and haying must obtain a modified conservation plan, which includes emergency grazing requirements from either USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or the participant's Technical Service Provider. To ensure emergency haying or grazing of CRP acres is only being utilized by livestock producers adversely impacted by the drought, the livestock producer must file a CCC-576 (Notice of Loss) or provide a written certification, to FSA, to be included in the CRP contract file.
Haying or grazing activities are not authorized if these activities will cause long-term damage to the vegetative cover on the land as determined on a contract-by-contract basis. The CRP participant is responsible for non-compliance with the CRP contract provisions.
Due to privacy laws, FSA cannot release the names of CRP contract holders willing to assist livestock producers in the drought-impact areas without their written consent. CRP participants must voluntarily disclose their willingness to assist livestock producers and consent to the disclosure of their personal information before FSA can release the information to livestock producers seeking assistance.
CRP participants who are interested in donating CRP grazing and haying privileges should contact their local USDA Service Center to confirm CRP practice eligibility and obtain approval from FSA prior to grazing or haying eligible CRP acres.
Non-Emergency Haying and Grazing of CRP Acres
Non-emergency grazing and haying activities should comply with the CRP participant’s conservation plan during drought or natural disaster conditions, but the site conditions should be taken into consideration and the plan modified, as needed. Non-emergency harvesting for hay is authorized once during the approved event outside primary nesting season, March 15 through July 15. Participants must leave 25% of the contract acres unharvested or hayed. Non-emergency grazing must not exceed 120 days. During the primary nesting season, there must be a 50% carrying capacity reduction. For both non-emergency grazing and haying, there is a 25% annual rental payment reduction.
CRP participants who are interested in donating CRP grazing and haying privileges or offering or utilizing non-emergency use privileges should contact their local USDA Service Center to confirm CRP practice eligibility and obtain approval from FSA prior to grazing or haying eligible CRP acres.
Additional Drought Recovery Assistance
USDA offers a full suite of programs providing technical and financial assistance to help farmers and livestock producers recover from drought. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.
Additional USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including USDA resources specifically for producers impacted by drought. Those resources include the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and Natural Disasters and Crop Insurance fact sheet. Additionally, FarmRaise offers an FSA educational hub with LIP and ELAP decision tools as well as farm loan resource videos. For FSA and NRCS programs, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent.
FSA reminds producers who are interested in the 2025 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), of the need to apply for coverage by the following crop deadline dates. Producers impacted by the drought this year, should consider applying for NAP coverage for hay and pasture.
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November 20, 2024 is the deadline for 2025 NAP coverage on apples, asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, chestnuts, forage for hay and pasture, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, honey, maple sap and hops.
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March 15, 2025 is the deadline for 2025 NAP coverage on forage sorghum, oats, potatoes, Soybeans, Sunflowers and all spring planted specialty crops grown for food.
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. 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.
A producer’s certification on Form CCC-860 Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification may serve as an application for basic NAP coverage for all eligible crops beginning with crop year 2022. These producers will have all NAP-related service fees for basic coverage waived, in addition to a 50 percent premium reduction if higher levels of coverage are elected.
To help producers learn more about the NAP program and how it can help them, USDA, offers an online Web tool at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap. The webtool allows producers to determine whether their crops are eligible for coverage and gives producers an opportunity to explore a variety of options and levels to determine the best protection level for their operation.
For more information on NAP coverage or obtain coverage, please contact your FSA County office.
Applications accepted to November 29
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $58 million available for assistance to dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024. ODMAP 2024 helps mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. Specifically, through ODMAP 2024, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is assisting organic dairy operations with projected marketing costs in 2024 calculated using their marketing costs in 2023. FSA continues accepting ODMAP 2024 applications until November 29, 2024. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats, and sheep.
ODMAP 2024 Program Improvements
Dairy producers who participate in ODMAP 2024 will benefit from improvements to provisions outlined in the program. Specifically, ODMAP 2024 provides for an increase in the payment rate to $1.68 per hundredweight compared to the previous $1.10 per cwt. Additionally, the production cap has increased to nine million pounds compared to the previous five million pounds.
How ODMAP 2024 Works
FSA is providing financial assistance for a producer’s projected marketing costs in 2024 based on their 2023 costs. ODMAP 2024 provides a one-time cost-share payment based on marketing costs on pounds of organic milk marketed in the 2023 calendar year or estimated 2024 marketing costs for organic dairy operations that have increased milk production.
ODMAP 2024 provides financial assistance that immediately supports certified organic dairy operations during 2024 keeping organic dairy operations sustainable until markets return to more normal conditions.
How to Apply
FSA is accepting applications to November 29. To apply, producers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center. To complete the ODMAP 2024 application, producers must certify to pounds of 2023 milk production, show documentation of their organic certification, and submit a completed application form.
Organic dairy operations are required to provide their USDA certification of organic status confirming operation as an organic dairy in 2024 and 2023 along with the certification of 2023 milk production or estimated 2024 milk production in hundredweight.
ODMAP 2024 complements other assistance available to dairy producers, including Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), with more than $36 million in benefits paid for the 2024 program year to date. Learn more on the FSA Dairy Programs webpage.
More Information
To learn more about USDA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and other programs by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.
All producers are reminded that the acreage reporting date for fall seeded crops has changed and the acreage reporting date is Dec. 15, 2024. This applies to all fall seeded crops including fall barley, fall wheat and all other fall-seeded small grains. Please call to schedule an appointment to certify your crops.
Acreage Reports Are Eligibility Requirement for Many USDA Programs
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. Producers can contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center for acreage reporting deadlines that are specific to their county.
USDA Urban Service Centers
USDA is committed to working with farms of all sizes and in all locations, including those in urban areas. USDA works with agricultural producers through a network of more than 2,300 Service Centers nationwide. To better serve urban farmers, USDA is establishing 17 new Urban Service Centers.
The Urban Service Centers are staffed by FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) employees and offer farm loan, conservation, disaster assistance and risk management programs.
To find exact locations and contact information for these Urban Service Centers or to learn how to prepare for a USDA Service Center appointment, producers can visit farmers.gov/your-business/urban-growers/urban-service-centers.
For questions, producers should call their FSA county office. Urban operations that are not located near one of the Urban Service Centers can contact one of the more than 2,300 Service Centers across the country by visiting farmers.gov/service-locator.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has established a shared resource for those impacted by the extreme drought.
You can add your information to the Ohio Hay Directory using this link. You can view the Ohio Hay Directory using this link.
The directory will be housed on ODA's Drought Resources webpage.
ODA will continue to assess the ongoing impacts of this extreme drought and connect farmers to the appropriate resources and assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expanded 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.
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.
Don’t know much about Federal crop insurance, but you want to learn more?
Crop insurance is a risk management strategy that farmers use to protect their livelihoods. By purchasing a policy through a crop insurance agent, farmers are financially protected if there are losses due to a covered cause of loss. It’s not so different from car or homeowners insurance.
Start your journey out right by reading RMA’s Beginners Guide to Crop Insurance.
In April 2024, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the final rule that amends and strengthens our animal disease traceability regulations for certain cattle and bison. This rule will come into effect on Nov. 5, 2024.
Learn more about seven common myths and misunderstandings about the new regulations.
Farm Operating Loans, Direct -- 4.500%
Farm Ownership Loans, Direct -- 5.125%
Limited Resource Loans -- 5.000%
Farm Ownership Loans, Down Payment -- 1.500%
Farm Ownership – Joint Financing -- 3.125%
Emergency Loans -- 3.750%
Farm Storage Facility Loan, 3 year -- 3.750%
Farm Storage Facility Loan, 5 year -- 3.750%
Farm Storage Facility Loan, 7 year -- 3.750%
Farm Storage Facility Loan, 10 year -- 3.875%
Farm Storage Facility Loan, 12 year -- 4.000%
Sugar Storage Facility Loans, 15 year -- 4.125%
Commodity Loans -- 5.125%
November 4 ------ County committee ballots mailed to voters.
November 11 ---- Veterans Day Holiday. USDA Service Center is Closed.
November 20 ---- Last day to apply for coverage for asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, chestnuts, forage for hay and pasture, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, honey, hops and maple syrup.
November 28 --- Thanksgiving Day Holiday. USDA Service Center is Closed.
November 29 --- Last day to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). ODMAP helps mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats, and sheep.
December 2 ----- Last day to return voted Ballots in county committee election.
December 16 --- Deadline to report the 2025 Fall Seeded Crops for fall barley, fall wheat and all other fall-seeded small grains.
December 25 --- Christmas Day Holiday. USDA Service Center is Closed.
January 1 ------- Elected Committee Members and alternates take office.
January 1 ------- New Year's Day Holiday. USDA Service Center is Closed.
Top of page
Ohio FSA State Office
200 North High Street, Room 540
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: 614-255-2441
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Visit the Ohio FSA website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/oh
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State Executive Director:
Dr. John Patterson
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Deputy State Executive Director:
Traci Garza
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Administrative Officer:
Vacant
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Conservation Chief:
Brandi Koehler
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Farm Loan Chief:
Darren Metzger
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Price Support Chief:
Trevor Kerr
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Production Adjustment / Compliance and Risk Management Chief:
Matt Kleski
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Ohio FSA State Committee Members
Theodore Finnarn, Chairperson
Fred Deel
Tracy Hundley
Thomas Jackson, Jr.
Mark Mechling
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