FSA Educational Hub
Tools for FSA cooperators and the farmers & ranchers they serve
The knowledge you need to make the most of USDA FSA programs. From funding basics to advanced tips, we’re here to help farmers and cooperators understand, apply, and succeed.
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Getting Started with FSA.

Your complete guide to getting started with Farm Service Agency.

Some of the benefits you receive:

Zero-Cost

35+ hours of free educational content to empower your success.

Introduction to FSA

Learn how to get started and the benefits of joining FSA programs.

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County Committees & Elections

Your guide to understanding who makes decisions at your FSA office—and how you can get involved.

Program Update Feed

Stay up-to-date with the latest FSA program updates, deadlines, and emergency designations. Scroll through recent updates right here, or navigate to the full Program Update Feed page.  You can also sign up for personalized alerts directly from FSA!

USDA Reminds New Mexico Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports

July 1, 2025

After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in New Mexico should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline.

The following acreage reporting dates are applicable in New Mexico:

July 15, 2025: All other crops (excluding: Apiculture, Apples, Tree Nuts and Nut Crop, and Fall and Spring Seeded Grain Crops)

July 31, 2025: Hemp

August 15, 2025: Beans

Acreage reporting dates vary by crop and by county. Contact your local FSA office for a list of acreage reporting deadlines by crop.

View Official Update

USDA Announces July 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

July 1, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for July 2025, which are effective July 1, 2025.

FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.      

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for July 2025 are as follows:       

View Official Update

SBA Relief Still Available to Montana Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

June 30, 2025

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Montana of the July 25, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning Nov. 19, 2024.

The disaster declaration covers the Montana counties of Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Valley and Wibaux.

View Official Update

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in North Dakota Impacted by Recent Severe Weather

June 30, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.  Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.

View Official Update

USDA Designates Three South Dakota Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

June 30, 2025

Impacted Area: South Dakota

Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)

Application Deadline: Feb. 9, 2026

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional.

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans.

View Official Update

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Natural Disasters

June 27, 2025

Impacted Area: Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.

8 Triggering Disasters.

Application Deadline: 05/31/2026.

Physical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses.

View Official Update

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Natural Disasters

June 26, 2025

Physical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses.

Impacted Area: Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois

Triggering Disaster: Flooding, Excessive Rain, and Flash Flooding that occurred on March 30 through April 6, 2025

Application Deadline: February 2, 2026

View Official Update

Federal Emergency Management Agency Designates Multiple Counties in Missouri as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding

June 26, 2025

Impacted Area: Missouri. Application

Application Deadline: 02/09/2026.

Triggering Disaster: Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding that occurred on May 16, 2025.

This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans.

View Official Update

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Natural Disasters

June 26, 2025

Impacted Area: Tennessee and Kentucky.

Application Deadline: February 17, 2026.

Triggering Disaster: Various -Tornado, Lightening, and Flooding instances in March, 2025.

Physical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses.

View Official Update

USDA Designates Seven Colorado Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

June 18, 2025

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional: Primary Counties Eligible: Custer, Dolores, Fremont, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Saguache, San Juan Contiguous Counties Also Eligible: Colorado: Alamosa, Archuleta, Chaffee, Costilla, El Paso, Gunnison, La Plata, Las Animas, Mineral, Montezuma, Ouray, Park, Pueblo, Rio Grande, San Miguel, Teller
Utah: San Juan

View Official Update

SBA Relief Still Available to Montana Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

June 16, 2025

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Montana of the July 14, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning Sept. 17, 2024.

View Official Update

Nominations Now Open for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on USDA Farm Service Agency County Committees

June 16, 2025

Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees.

View Official Update

USDA Extends Emergency Conservation and Emergency Forest Restoration Assistance Deadline for Hurricane Recovery in Vermont

June 13, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Vermont extended the deadline for two critical hurricane recovery programs.

View Official Update

USDA Designates 4 New Jersey Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

April 14, 2025

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

View Official Update

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Missouri

April 14, 2025

Agricultural operations in Missouri have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather, tornadoes and flooding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.

View Official Update

Federal Emergency Management Agency Designates 7 Additional Kentucky Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

April 11, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS. April 11, 2025 - This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Clark, Floyd and Harrison Counties Now Eligible as Contiguous Counties. Perry, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties in Indiana are Contiguous Counties.

View Official Update

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Illinois

April 11, 2025

Agricultural operations in Illinois have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather, tornadoes and flooding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.

View Official Update

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Oklahoma Impacted by Wildfire

April 1, 2025

Agricultural operations in Oklahoma have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.

View Official Update

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Mississippi Impacted by Recent Severe Weather and Tornadoes

April 1, 2025

Agricultural operations in Mississippi have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather and tornadoes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.

View Official Update

FSA’s Customer Kiosks now available nationwide

April 1, 2025

The new customer kiosks from USDA’s Farm Service Agency are now available at every county office nationwide. These kiosks help to streamline your visit to your local county office and easily access a variety of features such as signing FSA documents, utilizing the Loan Assistance Tool, browsing USDA programs, accessing the internet, accessing necessary personal information, and signing up for a Login.gov account, which provides access to farmers.gov level two features and other USDA and U.S. Government web resources. Future kiosk functionality enhancements include a customer check-in application, self-service option for FSA program applications and documents, financial inquiries and more.

View Official Update

Texas - USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Texas Impacted by Wildfire

April 1, 2025

Agricultural operations in Texas have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.

View Official Update

Deadline - Key Commodity Safety Net Programs (April 15th)

April 1, 2025

Agricultural Producers Have Until April 15 to Enroll in USDA’s Key Commodity Safety Net Programs for the 2025 Crop Year . Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15, 2025, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines in crop prices or revenues for the 2025 crop year.

View Official Update

USDA Expediting $10 Billion in Direct Economic Assistance to Agricultural Producers

March 18, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. Check out the link below for additional information and eligible commodities and payment rates.

View Official Update

Loan Deficiency Payments Now Available for Cotton Producers in New Mexico

March 17, 2025

Cotton producers in New Mexico may be eligible for Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). LDPs are payments made to producers who, although eligible to obtain a Marketing Assistance Loan, agree to forgo the loan in return for a payment on the eligible commodity. The deadline to apply for an LDP on 2024 crop-year cotton is May 31, 2025.

View Official Update

Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Ice in Henderson County Kentucky

March 7, 2025

Physical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

View Official Update

USDA Announces March 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

March 3, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for March 2025, which are effective March 3, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. Follow the link below to see the full list of rates.

View Official Update

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

February 27, 2025

Non-Tribal Contiguous Lands and Counties Also Eligible; Designation Applies to Nine Counties
This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

View Official Update

Federal Emergency Management Agency Designates 5 Counties in California as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Wildfires

February 25, 2025

Impacted Area: California Triggering Disaster: Wildfires and straight-line winds Application Deadline: 9/8/2025 Primary Counties Eligible: Los Angeles Contiguous Counties Also Eligible: Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura

View Official Update

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Excess Snow and High Winds

February 25, 2025

Impacted Area: Colorado
Triggering Disaster: Excess Snow and High Winds that occurred November 6, 2024-November 9, 2024
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
Primary Counties Eligible: Otero Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
Colorado: Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, and Pueblo

View Official Update

USDA Announces February 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

February 7, 2025

View the official updates to see February 2025 rates for Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans.

View Official Update

FSA Learning Resources

From farm loans to disaster assistance and urban agriculture resources, this hub provides the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and get the most from your FSA.

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FSA Farm Loan Programs

Learn about FSA Farm Loan Programs, including how to prepare and apply.

Healthy crops on right side of image and unhealthy crops on left
FSA Disaster Assistance Programs

Learn about FSA Disaster Assistance programs, including how to prepare and apply.

Micro farm example
Urban Agriculture Resources

Learn about urban farming best practices and the USDA resources at your disposal.

Your FSA Toolkit for Success

Explore easy-to-use tools that help farmers track, apply, and manage USDA programs with confidence.

Record-Keeping Toolbox

Use this tool to begin or upgrade your record-keeping practices!

FSA Program Discovery

Use this tool to discover FSA programs based on filter criteria of your choosing.

LIP Decision Tool

Use this tool to help prepare for an application to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

ELAP Decision Tool

Use this tool to prepare for an application to Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, & Farm-raised Fish program (ELAP).

Crop acreage calculator

Many FSA and USDA programs require producers to file crop acreage reports that document crop growth and intended use on your farm or ranch. Since not all crops are created equal, FSA has created an easy way for producers of specialty crops to fill out these reports!

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