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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a new pilot program that enables farmers in the Prairie Pothole region to receive payments for planting cover crops on their land for three to five years. The new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) pilot is available to producers in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the third and final tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments. The payments will begin to show up in farmers’ bank accounts by the end of this week.

USDA officials held a conference call on July 25 announcing further details of the $16 billion package to support American farmers. One of the highlights was new information on the Market Facilitation Program (MFP).

To be eligible to receive many USDA benefits, including loans and federal crop insurance premium subsidies, growers must comply with requirements for highly erodible lands and wetlands.

The Meslers used Farm Service Agency loan programs to get started with their new enterprise, and have now established one of the best no-till farm operations in AlleganyCounty.