Cooperative Extension: Agriculture

USDA to Begin Loan Payments to Socially Disadvantaged Borrowers Under American Rescue Plan Act The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides funding and authorization for USDA FSA to pay up to 120 percent of direct and guaranteed loan outstanding balances as of January 1, 2021, for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as defined […]

USDA Announces June 2021 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs. Operating and Ownership Loans FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans to eligible agricultural producers. For […]

Producers with Crop Insurance to Receive Premium Benefit for Cover Crops Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if they planted cover crops during this crop year. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP), offered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency […]

Developing Risk Management and Marketing Plans Virtual Workshop Series For Beginning, Women, and Shellfish Growers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts (Open to Maine Growers) Join us for a virtual workshop on risk management and marketing. This workshop will be delivered through nine zoom sessions and will be accompanied by homework assignments, and individualized counseling sessions […]

USDA Improves Livestock Crop Insurance Policies with New Options The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating livestock insurance policies to improve options for producers and to create additional opportunities for producers to participate. USDA’s Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) updates to the Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) policies will be effective for the […]

Understanding Dairy Revenue Protection and using it to your advantage Free Webinar: Wednesday, April 28, noon-1 p.m. EDT. As producers seek to better understand the Dairy Revenue Protection program, Crop Growers LLP and Farm Credit East are hosting a webinar to provide greater insight to Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) program and how it can be […]

Produce Safety Training in Spanish For anyone interested in a Produce Safety Training in Spanish, Cornell CALS is offering the training on April 22-23  Link to register (Instructions to Register are in Spanish.) Curso a distancia de capacitación para productores de la Alianza-PSA, del 22-23 de abril, 2021. The fee for this course is $130.00 […]

The PPP application deadline has been extended again: SBA is currently offering PPP loans until May 31, 2021. President Biden announced program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable. Your farm, even seasonal with no formal payroll, may be eligible for this program. Find an eligible lender in your area. For questions regarding the above information, please contact our Crop […]

USDA will reopen CFAP 2 USDA will reopen CFAP 2 signup for all eligible producers beginning April 5, 2021. A deadline for signup will be announced at a later date. Learn more on the USDA Website.   For questions regarding the above information, please contact our Crop Insurance Education Program Manager: Chris Howard at: christina.howard@maine.edu […]

USDA Announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’ to Distribute Resources More Equitably The USDA plans to reopen sign-up for CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning on April 5, 2021. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has committed at least $2.5 million to improve outreach for CFAP 2 and will establish partnerships with organizations with […]