American Rescue Plan Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Debt Payments

USDA recognizes that socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers have faced systemic discrimination with cumulative effects that have, among other consequences, led to a substantial loss in the number of socially disadvantaged producers, reduced the amount of farmland they control, and contributed to a cycle of debt that was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, socially disadvantaged communities saw a disproportionate amount of COVID-19 infection rates, loss of property, hospitalizations, death, and economic hurt.

To address these systemic challenges, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides historic debt relief to socially disadvantaged producers including Black/African American, American Indian or Alaskan native, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian American or Pacific Islander.

Details at

https://www.farmers.gov/connect/blog/loans-and-grants/american-rescue-plan-socially-disadvantaged-farmer-debt-payments

More Information

In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, 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 about USDA’s work to implement the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, visit www.usda.gov/arp.

Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers

 While FSA is committed to serving all farmers and ranchers, by statute, FSA targets a portion of all Guaranteed loan funds, Direct Operating and Direct Farm Ownership loan funds, Microloan funding, and Youth loans, to historically underserved farmers and ranchers, which include:

• Women
• African-Americans
• Alaskan Natives
• American Indians
• Hispanic
• Asian
• Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

Please visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/minority-and-women-farmers-and-ranchers/index

Alabama Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes: Federal Disaster Assistance

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and families affected by this disaster.

Click below to apply

https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Individuals and households in these designated counties are eligible to apply for financial and direct services. Apply for assistance, or learn more about the Individual Assistance program.

• Bibb (County)
• Calhoun (County)
• Clay (County)
• Hale (County)
• Jefferson (County)
• Perry (County)
• Randolph (County)
• Shelby (County)

Visit fema.gov for more details

Apply for Crop Disaster Assistance

 Eligible producers must apply for coverage of non-insurable crops using Form CCC-471, "Application for Coverage", and pay the applicable service fees at their local FSA office. The application and service fees must be filed by the application closing date as established by the producer's FSA state committee.

Apply for Crop Disaster Assistance

courtesy usda.gov website

Who is eligible for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program?

 

Who is eligible for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program?

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An eligible producer is a landowner, tenant or sharecropper who shares in the risk of producing an eligible crop and is entitled to an ownership share of that crop. As authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), an individual's or entity's average adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation cannot exceed $900,000 to be eligible for NAP.

Eligible crops must be commercially produced agricultural commodity crops for which the catastrophic risk protection level of crop insurance is not available and be any of the following:

• Crops grown for food;
• Crops planted and grown for livestock consumption, including, but not limited to grain and forage crops, including native forage;
• Crops grown for fiber, such as cotton and flax (except for trees);
• Crops grown in a controlled environment, such as mushrooms and floriculture;
• Specialty crops, such as honey and maple sap;
• Value loss crops, such as aquaculture, Christmas trees, ginseng, ornamental nursery and turfgrass sod;
• Sea oats and sea grass and;
• Seed crops where the propagation stock is produced for sale as seed stock for other eligible NAP crop production.

NAP provides coverage equal to 50% of the approved yield and 55% of the average market price. Additional buy-up coverage is available in increments between 50% of the approved yield up to as much as 65% of the approved yield and 100% of the average market price. Under the buy-up coverage, producers may choose to elect the Historical Marketing Percentage Option and/or the Direct Market Option. Producers may also elect the organic average market price for eligible crops under both the 50/55% coverage level and the buy-up coverage.

Producers must contact a crop insurance agent for questions regarding insurability of a crop in their county.

For further information on whether a crop is eligible for NAP coverage, producers must contact the FSA county office where their farm records are maintained.

An eligible natural disaster is any of the following:

• Damaging weather, such as drought, freeze, hail, excessive moisture, excessive wind or hurricanes;
• An adverse natural occurrence, such as earthquake or flood; A condition related to damaging weather or an adverse natural occurrence, such as excessive heat, plant disease, volcanic smog (VOG), insect infestation or;
• Any combination of these conditions.

The natural disaster must occur during the coverage period, before or during harvest and must directly affect the eligible crop.

How do I apply for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program?

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Eligible producers must apply for coverage of non-insurable crops using Form CCC-471, "Application for Coverage", and pay the applicable service fees at their local FSA office. The application and service fees must be filed by the application closing date as established by the producer's FSA state committee.

Apply for Crop Disaster Assistance

Courtesy benefits.gov program website.

What is Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to a natural disaster.

Courtesy benefits.gov

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Who is eligible for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program?

Crop Insurance. Who is eligible for Crop Insurance? Find your Local Crop Insurance Provider.

Crop Insurance protects agricultural producers against crop losses resulting from natural causes. The program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA), offers several different plans for crops and livestock. Availability of these crop policy plans varies by state and county.

Who is eligible for Crop Insurance?

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In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be an agricultural farmer or rancher.

You can learn about Crop Insurance and for more information about the Crop Insurance Program and to find insurance plans available in your area, please visit the USDA's Risk Management Agency website.

Click here to Find your local crop insurance provider

courtesy benefits.gov website