USDA programs help producers grow protect and sustain their operations
Farmers, ranchers, and landowners work tirelessly to produce the food, fiber, and fuel that America relies on. USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation mission supports these producers with practical tools to start, grow, protect, and sustain their operations.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) helps producers expand operations with financing options and recover from economic challenges or natural disasters.
For example, Ann Deering of Distant View Farms in Iowa uses programs like Dairy Margin Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage to manage income fluctuations. In Pennsylvania, Courtney Jewell of Jewells in Bloom benefits from FSA’s Farm Storage Facility Loan and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program to safeguard her vegetables and flowers.
Kirstin Bailey in Nebraska also uses FSA microloans and emergency assistance programs to sustain her beekeeping and specialty crops through harsh conditions.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) supports sustainable farming through voluntary conservation programs. John Sawyer of Texas and Burthel Thomas of Arkansas use NRCS guidance for soil and water management, implementing practices like cover crops, nutrient management, and reduced tillage.
Similarly, Tim Wilson in Indiana uses the Conservation Reserve Program to improve soil productivity and biodiversity while enhancing his farm’s profitability.
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) provides crop insurance to protect producers from unpredictable losses. Sugarcane farmer Eddie Drew Lewis III in Louisiana and pistachio growers George and Marianne Schweers in New Mexico rely on insurance to continue operations despite weather events, emphasizing the importance of planning and risk management.
USDA is working to make programs easier to access with tools like pre-filled applications and the One Farmer, One File initiative. By streamlining processes, reducing duplication, and improving efficiency, producers can spend more time on the farm and less time in offices.
American agriculture is built on resilience, innovation, and adaptability. USDA programs aim to strengthen this legacy and ensure that the next generation of producers has the support needed to thrive in the years ahead.
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