Free Webinars on Farm and Ranch Tax Strategies and Schedule F

Register Today for Free Webinars on Farm and Ranch Tax Strategies and Schedule F

Filing taxes for an agricultural operation can be challenging, and many producers may not have the funds to hire accountants or tax professionals to assist. Join USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) for two free webinars:

Wednesday, February 22, 3:00 pm Eastern: Farm and Ranch Tax Strategies 2023. 

There is a strategy to managing your taxes and now is the time to start planning.  Join USDA and Bob Rhea, University of Illinois Tax School, to learn about tax management options for 2023.   

Register here.  

Wednesday, March 22, 3:00 pm Eastern: Schedule F (Profit or Loss From Farming).

The Schedule F is used to report taxable income earned from farming, ranching, and agricultural activities.  Join USDA and Guido van der Hoeven, President, Land Grant University Tax Education Foundation, Inc. (LGUTEF), for a line-by-line review of this tax form.   

Register here.  

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 27, 2023.

Planning Projects

Planning Projects initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers and the development of plans related to zoning and other needs of urban production. For example, the Texas Coalition of Rural Landowners used 2022 awarded funds to conduct a feasibility study and develop a business plan to establish a cooperative for small-scale agricultural producers serving low food access markets in Harris County, Texas.

Implementation Projects

Implementation Projects accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor and other agricultural practices that serve farmers and communities. Projects may improve local food access, include collaboration with partner organizations, and support infrastructure needs, emerging technologies, and educational endeavors. For example, the Moka Urban Agriculture Initiative used 2022 awarded funds for a project to increase local food access and provide culturally relevant options that create economic opportunities for urban farmers. The project will help to reduce food insecurity, improve health and establish outdoor spaces for food production in Missouri.

Webinar

A pre-recorded webinar on Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants | USDA provides an overview of the grants’ purpose, project types, eligibility and basic requirements for submitting an application.

More Information

OUAIP was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture and innovative production. The grants are part of a broad USDA investment in urban agriculture. Other efforts include:

  • Creating and managing a Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production to advise the Secretary on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban agriculture.

  • Reopening the People’s Garden Initiative. People’s Gardens across the country grow fresh, healthy food and support resilient, local food systems; teach people how to garden using sustainable practices; and nurture habitat for pollinators and wildlife and greenspace for neighbors.

  • Providing cooperative agreements that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.

  • Providing technical and financial assistance through conservation programs offered by NRCS.

  • Organizing 17 Farm Service Agency urban county committees.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA Issues Additional Pandemic Assistance Payments for Underserved Producers

Florida USDA  -  January 25, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently making automatic Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) top-up payments to underserved farmers and ranchers. Payments will be based on the 2020 program certification on form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification.

Producers who have not previously certified to their status for the 2020 program year have until Feb. 10, 2023, to submit form CCC-860 to be eligible for the additional payments. Contact your local USDA Service Center for more information.

USDA Invests $3.3 Million in Two New Partnerships to Expand Outreach on Crop Insurance to Underserved Producers

WASHINGTON, November 2, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently invested about $3.3 million in two new partnerships that will train and equip the next generation of crop insurance agents, adjusters and outreach educators about crop insurance options. These partnerships with the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) and the University of Arkansas’ Southern Risk Management Education Center further efforts by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) to broaden participation in crop insurance, especially among underserved producers.

“Crop insurance strengthens American agriculture, and we want to make sure all farmers, especially those traditionally left behind, are aware of the tools available to manage risk,” said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. “We have a lot of work to do to engage underserved producers in our risk management tools. These two partnerships will let us engage with communities that have historically lacked access to resources and education. Both partnerships aim to cultivate creativity and innovation as they work to empower, educate and provide outreach to underserved producers.”

The Intertribal Agricultural Council (IAC), about $1.9 million: RMA and the IAC will strategically engage with minority-serving institutions and underserved stakeholder groups that will train, credential, and establish a pipeline of crop insurance agents and adjusters within underserved agricultural communities. The initiative’s goal is to increase the representation of underserved insurance agents and loss adjusters providing service to underserved communities.

Kari Jo Lawrence, Executive Director of the IAC, said: “I commend USDA’s Risk Management Agency for investing in this project and understanding that designing and implementing programs that engage community members directly increases impact and reduces inefficiencies. Joining forces with our partners—Rural Coalition, Annie’s Project and Alcorn State University—enhances delivery efforts in all sectors of historically underserved communities. It also ensures a lasting effect across the crop insurance sector to deliver available risk management options.”

The Southern Risk Management Education Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, about $1.4 million: This partnership will strengthen outreach and technical assistance to underserved farmers and ranchers through the development of risk management program navigators. These navigators will be program specialists trained by project collaborators to provide strategic outreach and engage underserved agricultural populations about federal crop insurance.

Ronald Rainey, Professor and Assistant Vice-President at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said: “The University of Arkansas’ Southern Risk Management Education Center is excited to leverage its risk management expertise and grass-roots relationships developed across the region to enhance understanding of RMA products and services. A collection of aligned project activities will intentionally seek to enhance engagement with communities and farmers who have been historically underserved by federal crop insurance.”

These partners were chosen because they have a proven track record of success working with RMA and have the infrastructure needed to be successful in strengthening the education and outreach on increasing adoption of risk management tools in underserved agricultural communities. The University of Arkansas has expertise and vast knowledge of working with underserved producers in the Southeastern region. IAC has a track record of success working with Native Americans, and they will be partnering with three other entities that have knowledge and experience working with underserved communities.

In addition to the $3.3 million investment noted above for the two new partnerships, RMA has invested $3.19 million since 2021 in partnerships involving 25 projects with dozens of awardees (and sub-awardees) to expand outreach and education on crop insurance through the Risk Management Education Partnership Program, authorized under Section 522(d) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Additionally, RMA has launched a new “Roadshow” to provide information on two key insurance options for underserved, specialty crop, organic and small-scale producers – Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. For additional information about RMA’s outreach and education efforts and the Roadshow, visit RMA’s Outreach and Education webpage.

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. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov. 

USDA Launches Loan Assistance Tool to Enhance Equity and Customer Service

Access the Loan Assistance Tool by Visiting Farmers.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.  

USDA experiences a high rate of incomplete or withdrawn applications, particularly among underserved customers, due in part to a challenging and lengthy paper-based application process. The Loan Assistance Tool is available 24/7 and gives customers an online step-by-step guide that supplements the support they receive when working in person with a USDA employee, providing materials that may help an applicant prepare their loan application in one tool. 

Farmers can access the Loan Assistance Tool by visiting farmers.gov/farm-loan-assistance-tool  and clicking the ‘Get Started’ button. From here they can follow the prompts to complete the Eligibility Self-Assessment and start the farm loan journey. The tool is built to run on any modern browser like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or the Safari browser, and is fully functional on mobile devices. It does not work in Internet Explorer.  

The Loan Assistance Tool is the first of multiple farm loan process improvements that will be available to USDA customers on farmers.gov in the future. Other improvements and tools that are anticipated to launch in 2023 include: 

A streamlined and simplified direct loan application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages. An interactive online direct loan application that gives customers a paperless and electronic signature option, along with the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns. An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local Service Center to pay a loan installment.

Background 

USDA provides access to credit to approximately 115,000 producers who cannot obtain sufficient commercial credit through direct and guaranteed farm loans. With the funds and direction Congress provided in Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act, USDA is taking action to immediately provide relief to qualifying distressed borrowers whose operations are at financial risk while working on making transformational changes to loan servicing so that borrowers are provided the flexibility and opportunities needed to address the inherent risks and unpredictability associated with agricultural operations.

Timely Tips September 2022: Greg Brann, Grazing Specialist, TACD, and Synergistic Grazing Management Consultant

As a consultant, I am often asked, “Do I need to reseed.” Many times, the pasture is fine; they just need to manage what they have. My recommendation is always to evaluate your management before you reseed. Consider whether your nutrients are balanced, have you managed your minimum grazing heights, and do you have good ground cover present. 

Fall Seeding

As the price of seed continues to increase, it’s important to your bottom line to first determine your objective for seeding. Do you need more forage, is weed suppression needed, is soil health diminishing? 

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Forage production and weed suppression

If you have areas with over 50% undesirable plants, now’s the time to seed. Annual ryegrass is excellent for competing and smothering undesirable vegetation, but hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas, barley, triticale, rape, and cereal rye also work well for weed suppression.  

Soil health

I like planting different species in rotation or as a mix. Plant both grasses and legumes, but first, evaluate your mix by determining whether the soil lacks carbon (ground cover). Legumes typically should make up 30 to 50% of the biomass. Grasses add carbon to the soil, and legumes contribute nitrogen.

Fall Hay Feeding

Hay feeding in the fall is counter-intuitive to most farmers, but the benefits can be very rewarding. Fall growth can reduce cattle cost the most since total hay feeding is reduced. Feeding hay when moisture is available, and temperatures are 60 to 75 degrees F will promote the most growth. While feeding hay, don’t graze over 20% of the total pasture acreage. This allows stockpiling fall growth on the remaining 80% of your pastures. This time of year, pastures grow 20-40 pounds per acre per day, so we can grow up to twice as much as we feed during this same period. 

In January, we can’t grow grass, so fall hay feeding extends the growing season, and less hay is fed when we can’t grow grass. Feed the hay on lower fertility pastures or weedy fields.

MANAGE LIGHT TO DESIRABLE PLANTS

  Currently, warm season grasses and weeds are still growing, but we are on the cusp of transitioning into the cool season growth period. Cool season growth is ideal between 60 and 75 degrees F. The saying is “rotate fast when growth is fast and slow when growth is slow.” Growth in my area is fast right now, so rotate fast to control warm season growth and expose cool season forages to light. To keep light to your desirable forages, if you cannot graze, you may need to mow. We need to grow grass now to carry us through fall and winter. Cool season growth will slow or stop in early December. So ideally, at that point, we will have 120 days of grazing stockpiled for winter.

CALCULATING THE SIZE OF PADDOCK NEEDED

An acre inch of good grass weighs about 300 pounds. Twenty head of 1,000-pound cows will eat 26 pounds of forage per day (20 x 26 = 520 pounds of forage per day with 50% utilization), so you need 1040 pounds of forage presented to the cattle. 1040 pounds of grass needed, divided by 300 pounds per acre inch = 3.5” per acre. So, if the grass is 8” tall, paddock off half acre allotments for the 20 cows. That’s an animal density of 40,000 pounds per acre, a good stock density for excellent pasture management.

Pasture Walk at Big Spring Farm 

An open discussion about symptoms and root causes

My annual pasture walk is Thursday, October 20, from 10 am ct till about 3 pm. This year, I’m finishing cattle, sheep, and hogs. I’ve seeded winter annuals in several fields for forage production and weed control and overseeded some orchard grass fields with tall fescue. Fields were grazed first and then seeded.  

I’ve made cross-fencing across steep drainage ways much more manageable by installing what I call “master links.” We’ll evaluate fields deciding what went right and what went wrong. Fall hay feeding will be discussed to help make sense of all the figures, and we’ll examine the cost-effectiveness of best management practices.

In summary, grow grass when you can grow grass. Stockpile grass for drought and winter. Ration grass to conserve your stockpile and extend the grazing season. Come join the conversation on October 20. Bring your questions and unidentified plants, and we’ll talk soil, plant, and animal management. We’ll have a hardy lunch from the farm, cooked up by Brayden Apple with River Cottage Farm.

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Cotton and Cover Crop Opportunity

The Soil Health Institute’s (SHI) U.S. Regenerative Cotton Fund (USRCF) has funding available to support

on-farm cover crop trials. The USRCF will provide support at $40 per acre for planting up to 30 acres of

cover crops in a cotton production field. We require planting a minimum of 10 acres of cover crops.

Participants will be provided with guidance on cover crop seed mixes, seeding and termination methods,

planter and sprayer adjustments, and nutrient and pest management strategies as needed.

Additionally, participants will be invited to contribute to research on soil health through the following:

  •  Soil health evaluation on participating fields, with soil sampling conducted by hand once per

year by SHI staff (you will receive a report of your soil health and none of your identifying data

will be shared outside the SHI);

  •  Providing an SHI staff member with basic management information in a short phone interview.

The information will be put into the FieldPrint Calculator to assess the benefits of soil health

management;

  •  Sharing lessons learned about cover crop management via educational materials that SHI will

develop to help others interested in working with cover crops.

Additional benefits of participating include:

  •  Receive technical assistance on cover cropping;

  •  Participate in a soil health mentor group to answer questions and discuss new ideas;

  •  Contribute to research on soil health that can be used by other farmers;

  •  Exchange innovative ideas to shape the future of cotton production, including brainstorming concepts with fellow producers.

Cotton producers in Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas are eligible to receive this funding to help

cover the cost of planting cover crops. Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To

apply for funding, contact Jessica Kelton at jkelton@soilhealthinstitute.org.

2022 ANNUAL SMALL FARM CONFERENCE: “FARMING IN CHALLENGING TIMES”

November 3–4, 2022

Tentatively in Portsmouth, Virginia

Downloadable PDF flyer available on website.

Join Virginia farmers, landowners and agriculture professionals for an opportunity to hear about available resources, smart business strategies, and successful production practices—especially for those new and beginning farmers who want to learn more about what it takes to farm profitability and sustainability.

For more information contact Cartelius Travis at 804-524-2551 or ctravis@vsu.edu.

Registration is opening soon. Please check back here to learn when we’ve opened it, or better yet, subscribe to receive our weekly event emails to learn right from your inbox when you can register. Subscribe now.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

USDA Announces Up to $550 Million for Projects Benefiting Underserved Producers and Minority Serving Institutions that Create Career Development Opportunities for Next Generation Leaders

Press Release Release No. 0183.22

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2022 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today up to $550 million in funding to support projects that enable underserved producers to access land, capital, and markets, and train the next, diverse generation of agricultural professionals. These investments are made through funding provided in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Section 1006, as amended by Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act. These provisions fund and direct USDA to take action to help ensure underserved producers have the resources, tools, programs, and technical support they need to succeed.

“These funding opportunities are historic and part of USDA’s unwavering commitment to advancing equity for all, including people who have been underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. When we address longstanding inequities, our entire country benefits,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Land access, heirs’ property, affordable credit and access to reliable markets — along with consistent access to help from well-trained experts — are essential to strengthening our communities. USDA is equally committed to partnering with minority-serving institutions to establish exciting and fulfilling pathways for Next Generation leaders to have careers in agriculture, nutrition, food, development, and in the federal government.”

To date, USDA has implemented provisions within Section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan Act, including standing up an independent Equity Commission. USDA also has provided $75 million for partnership agreements with 20 organizations that will deliver technical assistance and support for underserved producers, including veterans, limited resources producers, beginning farmers and ranchers, and/or producers living in high poverty areas on topics ranging from business development to heirs’ property. USDA also received applications for at least another $25 million in partnership agreements for technical assistance and will announce awardees by fall.

Today, USDA is taking additional steps to implement Section 1006 of the ARPA, as amended by Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act. Specifically, the Department is announcing:

Up to $300 million for “Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access” Projects Aimed at Helping Underserved Producers. This Notice of Funding Opportunity is seeking partner organizations for projects that increase access to land, capital, and markets. Projects should be innovative and help move underserved producers from surviving to thriving. Projects must focus on strengthening land access with at least one of the following related areas of concern: capital access concerns that affect the ability to access land; market access concerns that affect the ability to access land; or a combination of one or more of land, capital, and market access concerns. The deadline for applications is October 28, 2022. The notice of funding opportunity will be available at grants.gov in the coming days.

$250 million for the “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals” program to Create Career Development Opportunities for Next Gen Scholars at Minority-Serving Institutions. USDA is committed to not only hiring, developing, and advancing a workforce that truly reflects America’s rich and diverse characteristics, but also to creating a workplace environment that is inclusive so that everyone can rise to their highest potential and flourish in supporting our mission. The need for growing the next generation of professionals is timely and important. This competitive funding opportunity is aimed at attracting, inspiring, and retaining diverse and talented students at eligible minority-serving institutions for careers in food, agriculture, and related disciplines, with an emphasis on federal government sector employment. Eligible applicants are 1890 land-grant institutions, 1994 land-grant institutions, Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, certified Hispanic-serving institutions and Insular Area institutions of higher education located in the U.S. territories. The deadline for applications is October 25, 2022. See the request for applications for full details.

In February, USDA released its Equity Action Plan (PDF, 500 KB), a framework for reckoning with USDA’s history of challenges with underserved communities, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American and other farmers of color. USDA is committed to ensuring equity across all of its activities, which includes improving access to programs and services for all stakeholders and communities, especially underserved producers. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of announcements building momentum around USDA’s historic commitment to root out generations of systemic racism; center equity in decision-making and policymaking; have a diverse, modern and inclusive workforce; lower barriers to access; and ensure USDA programming is inclusive of all employees and all customers. Learn more at www.usda.gov/equity.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Contact USDA Press Email: press@usda.gov

Helping Rural Landowners Build Wealth Through Agriculture and Natural Resources

People • Resources • Land • Environment