USDA Montana Newsletter - January 2025
In This Issue:
USDA in Montana reminds agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency (FSA) program dates. Contact your local service center to apply and with any questions. Visit online at farmers.gov and fsa.usda.gov/mt.
Jan. 10, 2025: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program application deadline
Jan. 15, 2025: Established stand alfalfa seed, fall alfalfa seed (NAP= spring & fall Alf sd), and cherries for acreage reporting
Jan. 20, 2025: Office Closure for the Federal Holiday; Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 30, 2025: Deadline to apply for 2024 ELAP and LFP benefits
Jan. 31, 2025: Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC)
Jan. 31, 2025: USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program – Application Period is Open! DUE January 31, 2025
Feb. 17, 2025: Office Closure for the Federal Holiday: Washington's Birthday
March 3, 2025: Deadline to file a notice of loss and application for payment for LIP for 2024 losses. The deadline for filing a notice of loss under LIP will be the same as the final date to submit an application for payment, which is 60 calendar days after the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred.
March 17, 2025: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage closing date for all spring crops except spring-seeded canola, garlic, rye, speltz, triticale, wheat, ALL annual & perennial grass & mixed forage, and value-loss crops. Please note that the acreage reporting date for your NAP covered crops is the earlier of the established FSA acreage reporting date for the crop or 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing of the specific crop acreage being reported.
March 31, 2025: Producers can submit applications to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) for Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for the 2025 coverage year from Jan. 29 to March 31.
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Montana Farm Service Agency (FSA) County offices are hiring full-time positions in multiple locations.
Duties include general office activities supporting FSA programs administered at the field level. Successful applicants must be reliable, have a professional attitude and enjoy working with the public.
If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please share this information with them. Here is the direct link to all current open positions that are accepting applications on USAJOBs.gov. Click on the job announcement(s) to find the vacancy information on how to apply: USAJOBS - Search.
Applications must be completed through USAJOBs. The deadline to apply is listed on each job announcement found on USAJOBs.
The Agency Contact Information is listed at the bottom of each job announcement if you have specific questions regarding the vacant position(s).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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The 2025 Montana’s Next Generation Conference is back and in-person on Saturday, February 1 at the Shelby High School in Shelby, MT. The conference will provide 36 workshops to choose from including recordkeeping, market outlooks, marketing, crop and livestock production, succession planning and business topics.
Each hour, participants will be able to choose from six different workshops to attend. Topics will include workshops designed for beginning producers as well as advanced knowledge for continuing education. Pesticide points have been applied for and will be posted if approved prior to the conference.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) borrowers can complete their financial management training requirements by attending six workshops and completing an evaluation at the end.
For a full list of all the conference topics, agenda and registration, check it out online at www.mtnextgen.com or paper registration forms are available from your local extension office. Early registration discounts are available through Monday, Jan. 20, and the final registration deadline is Jan. 27. Best Western has a block of rooms reserved for $99.99/night and Comfort Inn has rooms at $89/night for a standard room and $99/night for a suite. Please mention “Montana’s Next Generation Conference” for the discounted rate.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this event should contact Lacy Roberts at (406) 873-5618, ext. 2 or Federal Relay Service at 1 (800) 877-8339 by Jan. 27, 2025.
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The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of American Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines.
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program combines classroom study with paid work experience that leads to employment at USDA. Through this program, USDA seeks to boost the number of tribal college and university students studying and graduating in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related fields of study, and help build the pipeline of future agricultural scientists and professionals. The program also strengthens USDA partnerships with 1994 land-grant institutions.
The program provides full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, and books each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food science, natural resource science, or a related academic discipline beginning at one of 35 federally recognized tribal colleges and continuing at another higher education institutions. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree.
Eligibility
You plan to attend and are enrolled, currently attend, or recently graduated from a Tribal College or University. For the purposes of this application, a recent graduate is someone who does not yet have a bachelor’s degree and who has graduated with an associate’s degree within the last two years.
You are a student ‘in good standing’ as defined by your college.
Permanent Federal Position Potential
Scholars accepted into the program will be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment with USDA upon successful completion of their degree requirements by the end of the agreement period. (5 CFR 213.3202) (Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 - Section 12519)
If selected, scholars must commit to at least one year of service to USDA for each year of financial assistance provided. The details of this requirement will be outlined in the service agreement for the scholar, their university, and the USDA sponsoring agency.
How to prepare an application
Preparation An application package includes an essay, your resume, two letters of recommendation, and your transcripts.
Resume – Submit your current resume.
Essay – Submit an essay answering these questions below with a word count of 500 – 800 words. Note the position for which you are applying.
- What motivates you to consider a career in public service working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture? Include information about your educational and career goals and how this scholarship may assist you.
- Where in USDA would you like to work?
- How did you become interested in studying food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences or another related discipline in college?
Two Letters of Recommendation – You will need to request two people to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf.
One must be from your academic counselor, advisor, or faculty member. Each letter must address your:
- Personal strengths.
- Leadership qualities and potential.
- Academic and extracurricular achievements.
- Future academic and career aspirations.
Transcript – Submit transcripts indicating your most recent academic work.
Submit all documents via email to 1994@usda.gov by January 31, 2025, close of business.
Questions: email 1994@usda.gov
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36 MT Counties Triggered; U.S. Drought Monitor Updated Weekly
Livestock producers in 36 Montana counties are eligible to apply for 2024 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass, and forage sorghum. LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or leased land, or fire on federally managed land. County committees can only accept LFP applications after notification is received by the National Office of qualifying drought, or if a federal agency prohibits producers from grazing normal permitted livestock on federally managed lands due to qualifying fire. The following 36 Montana counties have triggered the 2024 LFP drought criteria: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Flathead, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Teton and Wibaux.
Producers must complete a CCC-853 and provide required supporting documentation no later than January 30, 2025, for 2024 losses.
Producers in Beaverhead, Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Teton and Wibaux counties are eligible to apply for benefits under the 2024 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for losses relating to feed transportation, livestock transportation and water transportation costs. The deadline for filing a notice of loss under ELAP will be the same as the final date to submit an application for payment, which is 30 calendar days following the program year of which the loss occurred. Applications for payment and notices of loss must be completed no later than January 30, 2025, for 2024 losses.
For additional information about ELAP and LFP, including eligible livestock and fire criteria, contact the local USDA Service Center and/or visit farmers.gov and fsa.usda.gov/mt.
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The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to you for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law.
For disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certifications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management.
For 2024 livestock losses, you must file a notice and provide the following supporting documentation to your local FSA office no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred.
- Proof of death documentation
- Copy of grower’s contracts
- Proof of normal mortality documentation
- Livestock beginning inventory documentation
USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock, i.e. Adult Beef Cow = 1% and Non-Adult Beef Cattle = 4.1%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under “normal” conditions.
In addition to filing a notice of loss, you must also submit an application for payment by March 3, 2025.
For more information and additional eligibility requirements, contact your Local County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is committed to helping navigate the many opportunities we provide to farmers, ranchers, tribal nations, and landowners. Our agency is honored to partner with agricultural producers as they navigate every stage of their operation—from getting started to expanding.
FSA offers a full suite of programs to help agricultural producers access capital, protect the land and manage risk. We recognize it can be challenging for new customers to navigate the agency and get started, so we developed a packet of information that will help producers get to know FSA.
The new FSA Apply Now Packets will ensure a more productive customer experience when visiting with local FSA staff. The forms in the packet are needed for customers to participate in FSA and Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) programs.
To access these resources, visit www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/common-forms.
Get started today!
For more information on FSA programs, contact your local FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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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 FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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The Farm Service Agency (FSA) assists beginning farmers to finance agricultural enterprises. Under these designated farm loan programs, FSA can provide financing to eligible applicants through either direct or guaranteed loans. FSA defines a beginning farmer as a person who:
- Has operated a farm for not more than 10 years
- Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm
- Agrees to participate in a loan assessment, borrower training and financial management program sponsored by FSA
- Does not own a farm in excess of 30 percent of the county’s average size farm.
For more information, contact your local FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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Join us in Billings, Montana from February 4-6, 2025, for the Annual Montana Soil Health Symposium, an event bringing together local producers, leaders in regenerative agriculture, and technical specialists to share their knowledge and learn about new innovations in soil health. The Montana Soil Health Symposium is hosted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Montana Association of Conservation Districts.
This two-day event features well known voices for regenerative agriculture and soil health like Dr. Thomas Dykstra, an entomologist who specializes in agricultural pests and plant health; Steve Kenyon, an expert in sustainable grazing techniques that build soil health; and Sara Keough, a nutritionist shedding light on the connection between soil health and human health.
In addition to these keynote speakers, there are nine other producers covering topics relevant to farmers, ranchers, and gardeners of all sizes working to produce healthy, nutritious foods using the soil health principles. The 2025 Symposium will also include a short film featuring Gabe Brown, a founding father of the soil health movement. He will answer questions from previous Symposiums’ attendees and reflect on his journey adopting regenerative practices.
A preconference workshop on “Ranching for Profit” with Dallas Mount is scheduled for the afternoon of Feb. 4, 2025.
For more information or to register, please visit www.mtsoilhealth.org. Register by Jan. 10 to receive early bird pricing!
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is bolstering support for farmers facing crop setbacks by announcing an increase in replant payments for most producers beginning with the 2026 crop year. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to farmers who need to replant insured crops damaged by early insurable causes of loss.
“The enhancement in replant payments underscores the Risk Management Agency’s commitment to sustain agricultural productivity and economic stability,” said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. “Replant payments assist farmers with the financial burden of replanting, offering them a pathway to recover more than the insurance indemnity alone potentially would provide.”
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USDA NASS just finished collecting the December Acreage and Production Survey. Results will be published January 10, 2025.
The 2024 Annual Bulletin a summary of the 2023 crop year is available online and print copies will be available soon.
Producers have started to receive their January Cattle and Sheep Surveys. These are the benchmark survey for the Cattle and Sheep industry in Montana.
Thank you, producers, for taking the time to share your story. To find results of NASS surveys please visit https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Montana/index.php
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Eric Sommer State Statistician, Montana at 1-800-392-3202.
Montana
USDA Farm Service Agency PO Box 670 Bozeman, MT 59771
Phone: 406.587.6872 Fax: 855.546.0264 Web: www.fsa.usda.gov/mt
Acting State Executive Director: LANCE WASSON
State Committee: RYAN LANKFORD CASEY BAILEY JAKE MERKEL TRACEY L. PETERSON LOLA RASK
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FSA Policy Reminders: 2024 Annual Notification to FSA Customers
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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
10 East Babcock Street, Room 443 Bozeman, MT 59715-4704 Phone: 406-587-6811 Fax: 855-510-7028 Web: nrcs.usda.gov/montana
Acting State Conservationist: KYLE TACKETT
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USDA Risk Management Agency-Billings Regional Office
3490 Gabel Road, Suite 100 Billings, MT 59102-7302 Phone: 406-657-6447 Fax: 406-657-6573 Email: rsomt@rma.usda.gov Web: https://www.rma.usda.gov/
Regional Director: ERIC BASHORE
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