USDA Now Accepting Applications for Farm Loans Online

MADISON, Dec. 6, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, 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.

USDA Designates 22 Kentucky Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2020 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 22 Kentucky counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Boyd, Boyle, Bracken, Breckinridge, Carter, Casey, Daviess, Garrard, Greenup, Hancock, Henderson, Laurel, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Meade, Mercer, Ohio, Robertson, Rowan, and Washington counties who suffered losses due to drought and high temperatures that occurred from July 1, 2019, and continuing, may be eligible for U.S.

USDA Announces Inaugural Federal Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture

Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2022 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack selected 12 members to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) inaugural Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture to provide input on policy development and to help identify barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country. 

USDA Makes Producer-Friendly Change to 2023 Notice of Loss Requirements for Two Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has waived certain notice of loss requirements for 2023 for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020.