USDA Farm Service Agency

In more than 2,100 offices across the U.S. and its territories, employees with USDA's Farm Service Agency help farmers and ranchers get the financing they need to start, expand or maintain a family farm. And when disaster strikes, FSA employees are there to help agricultural producers recover and rebuild. This Labor Day, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our employees throughout the nation for their dedication, hard work and commitment to U.S. agriculture and the farmers and ranchers we serve. USDA photos by Preston Keres.

Today, August 26, is Women’s Equality Day in the United States, a day to honor the suffragists who fought for the 19th Amendment and the women who continue to push for equality and justice. Women farmers and ranchers continue to play a vital role in American agriculture and producing the food and fiber to feed and clothe the world. To learn more about how our programs can serve you or to read about how other producers who have used USDA programs for their operations, go to https://lnkd.in/gbz-QhFY.

A Surprise Twist on Employee Appreciation Day Julia Wickard, the State Director of USDA FSA in Indiana, has always valued and recognized her employees’ efforts. Her team, in turn, wanted to show their appreciation for her exceptional leadership. During her annual tradition of taking employees to the Indiana State Fair on August 13th, Wickard was unexpectedly honored with an FSA Administrator award. Approximately 300 Indiana FSA employees had secretly nominated Wickard for the award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and dedication. FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux joined the event via teleconference to present the award and commend Wickard’s 11-year tenure. “The work you have done as the SED for 11 years in Indiana will outlast you and will transcend your time there,” Ducheneaux said. “You’re leaving an impact on producers and the FSA in Indiana that’s going to stand the test of time, and I truly appreciate the work you’ve done."

We’re thrilled to see the next generation of agricultural leaders getting career experience through our internship programs and being mentored by current leaders. Thanks, Clifton Warren!

Anyone else at the National Urban Agriculture Conference in Detroit right now? 🙋🏽 Come stop by our booth and say hello! #agriculture #urbanagriculture #detroit

Our State Executive Directors, like Laurie, oversee the delivery of our programs to agricultural producers in their state, helping to ensure safe, affordable, abundant, and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply. Oftentimes, that work involves getting out into the local community!

There are just 6 days left to submit your nomination for the four open positions on USDA's Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Here's what the committee is looking for: 🍊 One individual who is an agricultural producer or farmer using innovative technology. 🌽 One individual representing an institution of higher education or extension program. 🍎 One individual with supply chain experience, which may include a food aggregator, wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an individual who has direct-to-consumer market experience. 🥔 One individual representing related experience in urban, indoor and other emerging agriculture production practices. Get the details on how to submit your nomination package: https://lnkd.in/efEheiJd USDA photo by Lauren Moore. Fleet Farming is a flagship program of IDEAS for Us, an Orlando-based 501(c)(3) grassroots non-profit organization and accredited NGO of the United Nations. Fleet Farming is an urban agriculture program that transforms the average American lawn into a bio-verse, productive micro farms and edible gardens.

Our goal is to build stronger connections between USDA programs and anyone working in the field of urban agriculture. If you're with us, then consider joining us August 4 - 6 in Detroit for the National Urban Agriculture Conference. A limited number of $1,000 conference attendance scholarships are available, reimbursable to urban farmers and partnering cooperators who register and apply. Apply for a scholarship by June 21 here: https://lnkd.in/gJ_an9fT The conference will include bus tours of urban farms in Detroit; information on USDA resources; listening sessions and presentations; and information on beneficial tools, training, resources, and efforts to expand local and regional food systems. Attendees will include USDA employees; urban farmers; educators and administrators; business and nonprofit leaders; and retail and wholesale companies.   Early bird pricing is available through June 30. Join us and get registered: https://lnkd.in/gmhfPVQa

Certified organic producers and handlers who have paid certification fees during the 2024 program years may apply for reimbursement through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program. Apply to a participating state agency according to their deadlines, or directly at one of our over 2,100 FSA offices. https://lnkd.in/gahmf88j  

The American Samoa is one of the most remote service areas in the USDA family, but FSA is fortrunate to have two employees located there. They recently visited the Island Flowers by Liana farm, owned by Peter and Donna Gurr in Maloata, American Samoa. John Boyes from the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs also came on the trip to explore FSA program delivery in the South Pacific. The farm is located in a very remote part of the island, about a 1.5 hour drive from the USDA Service Center. Maloata is accessible via the islands main road on the south facing shore if the island. 📸: USDA. Pictured from L to R: Faleituau Simona Fenumiai, Farm Loan Program Technician in American Samoa; Pete Gurr; John Boyes, Management and Program Analyst for the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs; Jennifer Balderas, Farm Loan Manager for American Samoa and Hawaii County; Kristen Kiriu, Acting County Executive Director/Farm Program Chief for Hawaii and the Pacific Basin; and Donna Gurr.