Colorado USDA Newsletter - January 14, 2025
In This Issue:
Today will be the last time I address you as your State Executive Director. Soon the new administration will appoint one of their own to the SED position, and you all will be off and running with a different philosophy and a fresh outlook on FSA.
I have been in conversation with my fellow appointees from all over the nation, and although we are sad to leave, we feel the Biden-Harris Administration has left a fine legacy that has benefited not only agriculture but the FSA as well. The Biden Harris administration led the whole nation through what would have been a disastrous outcome to the COVID pandemic. We saved over 23,000 farms nationwide, who are so important to our rural communities, with our distressed farmer programs. We paid billions to producers in disaster programs during the toughest of times. Our administration made monumental changes in our Farm Loan Programs that helped producers, particularly young producers, participate more efficiently. In our own FSA backyard, we changed the employee structure to get folks up the pay scale faster which allowed us to be more competitive in the job market as well as retain the great people we already have. I am very proud to be such a small part of an administration that really put the producers and the employees first.
Although the Biden-Harris legacy itself will always be personally meaningful, what I will remember the most will be the relationships I have gained these last few years. My fellow appointees, the FSA employees, those in the County and State Committees, and of course, the most important folks in FSA— the producers, have made this job so enjoyable. Everyone treated me so kindly and professionally that it made this job a big bright spot in my life. I absolutely enjoyed every day. It was a privilege and a great honor to work for all of you.
As for myself, I turned 65 this year and have leased our land to some younger neighborhood farmers. I am looking forward to the flexibilities and the challenges of a semi-retired life.
As I write this final message, I am signing off with a big smile on my face all thanks to you wonderful people.
Thanks,
-KP
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 The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2025 enrollment periods for key safety-net programs including the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). Agricultural producers can submit applications to USDA’s Farm Service Agency for ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year from Jan. 21 to April 15 and for DMC for the 2025 coverage year from Jan. 29 to March 31.
ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms. DMC provides dairy producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences.
Read more on the full Press Release!
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, please contact your local USDA Service Center.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds producers, including dairy producers impacted by H5N1, that the deadline to apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) is Jan. 30, 2025, for losses occurred in 2024.
ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock including dairy producers, honeybees, and farm-raised fish to assist with losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as wildfires, that are not covered by other FSA disaster assistance programs.
Read more on the full Press Release!
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
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.
In addition to filing a notice of loss, you must also submit an application for payment by March 3, 2025.
Livestock Forage Losses (LFP)
Producers in multiple Colorado County are eligible to apply for 2024 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits.
LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash 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. You must complete a CCC-853 and the required supporting documentation no later than January 30, 2025, for 2024 losses. For more information visit, our LFP website.
Please visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find your local office and let Service Center staff know you’re interested in signing up.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado and the Western Landowners Alliance (WLA) announce a funding opportunity through USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for eligible applicants included in phase 1 counties (see above map). Agricultural producers interested in implementing land management activities on their agricultural operation to enhance terrestrial habitat and reduce carnivore-livestock conflicts have until February 7, 2025, apply.
Interested in learning more or submitting an application for phase 1 activities? Please contact the local NRCS field office within the USDA Service Center that services the following counties: Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Kremmling, Meeker, Glenwood Springs or Gunnison Service Centers. You may also reach out to Matt Collins (WLA) at 970-680-1547 and matt@westernlandowners.org.
USDA is providing a total of $14.4 million in grants and technical assistance through two separately funded projects to support urban agriculture and innovative production. USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) is making available $2.5 million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants, building on $53.7 million invested in UAIP grant projects by OUAIP since 2020. In addition, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which oversees OUAIP, is providing $11.9 million in funding through an interagency agreement with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to promote the hiring of Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators through the Cooperative Extension programs at Land-grant Universities. Read More
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. Replant payment factors have not been updated since they were established in the 1990s.
RMA reviewed replant payment factors to ensure they reflect current replanting costs. The agency determined most small grains and coarse grains crops will receive a significant increase. RMA will consider future updates based on new data, further analysis, and stakeholder feedback from these changes. RMA plans to announce the new replant payments with additional crop insurance improvements in the summer of 2025.
More Information
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. Producers can learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting their RMA Regional Office.
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FSA reminds specialty crop producers of the Jan. 31, 2025, deadline to apply for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program for 2024 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.
Producers can visit farmers.gov/food-safety for additional program details, eligibility information and application forms.
More Information
To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.
Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application. Administered through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.
“The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program enhances career opportunities for students at 1890 land-grant universities,” said USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Director Lisa Ramirez. “The program has also been an effective tool to help USDA recruit and retain highly qualified students into careers in food, agricultural science, natural resources and related fields.”
The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between USDA and the 19 land-grant universities that were established in the Morrill Land Grand Act of 1890. USDA partners with these 1890 universities to provide scholarship recipients with full tuition, fees, books and room and board. Scholarship recipients attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The scholarship also provides work experience at USDA through summer internships. Scholars accepted into the program are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment with USDA upon successful completion of their degree requirements and program requirements by the end of the agreement period. The program awarded 94 scholarships in the 2024 cohort of 1890 Scholars.
Learn more and apply online at USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. For more information, contact partnerships@usda.gov.
USDA has a long history of developing the next generation of agricultural leaders at, and providing support to, public land-grant universities, such as those established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890. These institutions emphasize building and sustaining tomorrow’s food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences workforce.
The 19 members of the 1890 universities system are:
- Alabama A&M,
- Alcorn State University,
- Central State University,
- Delaware State University,
- Florida A&M University,
- Fort Valley State University,
- Kentucky State University,
- Langston University,
- Lincoln University,
- North Carolina A&T State University,
- Prairie View A&M University,
- South Carolina State University,
- Southern University and A&M College,
- Tennessee State University,
- Tuskegee University,
- University of Arkansas Pine Bluff,
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore,
- Virginia State University, and
- West Virginia State University.
To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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.
The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires foreign investors who buy, sell or hold an interest in U.S. agricultural land to report their holdings and transactions to the USDA. Foreign investors must file AFIDA Report Form FSA-153 with the FSA county office in the county where the land is located. Large or complex filings may be handled by AFIDA headquarters staff in Washington, D.C.
According to CFR Title 7 Part 781, any foreign person who holds an interest in U.S. agricultural land is required to report their holdings no later than 90 days after the date of the transaction.
Foreign investors should report holdings of agricultural land totaling 10 acres or more used for farming, ranching or timber production, and leaseholds on agricultural land of 10 or more years. Tracts totaling 10 acres or less in the aggregate, and which produce annual gross receipts in excess of $1,000 from the sale of farm, ranch, forestry or timber products, must also be reported. AFIDA reports are also required when there are changes in land use, such as from agricultural to nonagricultural use. Foreign investors must also file a report when there is a change in the status of ownership.
The information from AFIDA reports is used to prepare an annual report to Congress. These annual reports to Congress, as well as more information, are available on the FSA AFIDA webpage.
Assistance in completing the FSA-153 report may be obtained from the local FSA office. For more information regarding AFIDA or FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.
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USDA Service Center
Colorado State Office
1 Denver Federal Center, Bld 56
Denver, CO 80225
Phone: 720-544-2876
Fax: 844-860-8238
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Farm Service Agency
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State Executive Director
Kent Peppler
720.544.2876
Kent.Peppler@usda.gov
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Communications Specialist
Elizabeth Thomas
720.544.2879
Elizabeth.Thomas1@usda.gov
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Natural Resource Conservation Service
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