FSA Educational Hub
Tools and resources for farmers and ranchers
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 ranchers understand, apply, and succeed.
Get recommended content
USDA logo
Start Here

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.

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!

Trump Administration Appoints George Turner to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Maryland

September 17, 2025

The Trump Administration recently appointed George Turner as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Maryland. Turner joined the Maryland FSA team on Aug. 25, 2025.

View Official Update

USDA Accepts Nearly 1.8 Million Acres Through 2025 Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment

September 17, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced acceptance of 1.78 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through 2025 General, Continuous, Grassland, and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program enrollments.

View Official Update

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in New Mexico Impacted by Recent Flooding and Wildfires

September 16, 2025

  • The USDA is offering technical and financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and orchardists in New Mexico affected by recent flooding and wildfires.
  • Eligible programs include the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP), and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), as well as disaster loans and conservation support.
  • View Official Update

    USDA to Provide $1 Billion to Flood and Wildfire-Impacted Livestock Producers

    September 12, 2025

    USDA announced it will provide approximately $1 billion in disaster recovery assistance to livestock producers through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for those impacted by floods and wildfires in 2023 and 2024. The program helps offset increased supplemental feed costs, with sign-up beginning September 15, 2025, and applications due by October 31, 2025. Eligible producers can receive up to 60% of calculated feed costs for one month (wildfire) or three months (flood), with a combined payment limit of $125,000 per program year.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Laurie Boner to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Wyoming

    September 10, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Laurie Boner as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Wyoming. Boner joined the Wyoming FSA team on Aug. 25, 2025.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Keith Richmond to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in West Virginia

    September 9, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Keith Richmond as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in West Virginia. Richmond joined the West Virgina FSA team on Aug. 11, 2025.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Jeffrey Holmes to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in New Hampshire

    September 9, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Jeffrey Holmes as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Hampshire. Holmes joined the New Hampshire FSA team on Aug. 25, 2025.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Susan Larson to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Utah

    September 9, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Susan Larson as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Utah. Larson joined the Utah FSA team on Aug. 25, 2025.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Keith Richmond to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in West Virginia

    September 9, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Keith Richmond as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in West Virginia. Richmond joined the West Virgina FSA team on Aug. 11, 2025.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Eddie Fields to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Oklahoma

    September 9, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Eddie Fields as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Oklahoma.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Robert Andrzejczak to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in New Jersey

    September 8, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Robert Andrzejczak as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Jersey. Andrzejczak joined the New Jersey FSA team on Aug. 11, 2025.

    View Official Update

    Trump Administration Appoints Tootie Smith to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Oregon

    September 8, 2025

    The Trump Administration recently appointed Tootie Smith as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Oregon. Tootie joined the Oregon FSA team on Aug. 25, 2025.

    View Official Update

    USDA Announces $221.2 Million Grant Agreement to Cover Agricultural Losses in North Carolina

    September 5, 2025

    The USDA has signed a $221.2 million block-grant agreement with North Carolina to aid producers in recovering from agricultural losses caused by Hurricane Helene, covering infrastructure, timber, market, and future-year revenue losses. This funding is part of the $30 billion disaster-assistance effort authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025.  This initiative joins similar block-grant recoveries recently announced for Virginia and Florida, each tailored to cover those states’ unique agricultural recovery needs

    View Official Update

    USDA Designates Bonner County, Idaho, as Natural Disaster Area

    September 4, 2025

    Impacted Area(s): Idaho, Montana, Washington

    Triggering Disaster: Drought

    Application Deadline: 04/06/2026

    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 Designates Bear Lake County, Idaho as a Primary Natural Disaster Area

    September 3, 2025

    Impacted Area(s): Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming

    Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)

    Application Deadline: April 13, 2026

    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 Designates 8 Indiana Counties as Natural Disaster Area due to Excessive Rain

    September 3, 2025

    Impacted Area: Indiana

    Triggering Disaster: Excessive rain that occurred on March 30, 2025, and continuing.

    Application Deadline: April 4, 2026

    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 September 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

    September 2, 2025

    The USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced the lending interest rates for September 2025, effective as of September 1, 2025. Direct Farm Operating Loans are set at 4.875%, while Farm Ownership Loans are tiered: 5.875% (direct), 3.875% (joint financing), and 1.875% (down payment). Emergency loans for actual losses carry a rate of 3.750%, and commodity and farm storage facility loans — backed by the Commodity Credit Corporation — range from 5.000% for short-term commodity loans to 4.500% for 12-year storage loans, with sugar storage at 4.750% over 15 years. Producers can explore these options and navigate the borrowing process using USDA’s Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

    View Official Update

    USDA Designates 28 Washington Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

    September 2, 2025

    Impacted Area: Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon,

    Triggering Disaster: Drought

    Application Deadline: Various ranging from 04/06/2025 - 04/20/25

    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 Jackson, Nobles, and Rock County Producers Affected by Severe Thunderstorms and High Winds

    September 2, 2025

    Impacted Area: Iowa

    Triggering Disaster: Severe thunderstorms and high winds that occurred on June 11, 2025 (N1878)

    Application Deadline: April 20, 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 Designates Two Idaho Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

    August 29, 2025

    Impacted Area: Idaho, Montana, and Washington

    Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)

    Application Deadline: April 6, 2026

    Impacted Area: Montana, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming

    Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)

    Application Deadline: April 13, 2026

    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 Designates York County, Pennsylvania as Natural Disaster Area for Excessive Heat and Drought

    August 28, 2025

    Impacted Area(s): Pennsylvania, Maryland

    Triggering Disaster: Excessive Heat and Drought

    Application Deadline:  April 20, 2026

    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 Designates One Wyoming County as Natural Disaster Area

    August 28, 2025

    Impacted Area(s): Wyoming, Utah, Colorado,

    Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast-Track)

    Application Deadline: April 6, 2026

    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

    August 27, 2025

    Impacted Area: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri

    Triggering Disaster: Tornadoes, Winds, and Flooding that occurred during April 2, 2025, through April 6, 2025

    Application Deadline: April 20, 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

    Federal Emergency Management Agency Designates 41 Counties in Arkansas as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

    August 22, 2025

    1st Impacted Area(s): Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas

    Triggering Disaster: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

    Application Deadline: January 21, 2026

    2nd Impacted Area(s): Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee

    Triggering Disaster: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

    Application Deadline: February 24, 2026

    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.

    View Official Update

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

    August 22, 2025

    Impacted Area: Tennessee. Kentucky

    Triggering Disaster:  Severe thunderstorms with straight-line winds, lightning, and hail that occurred on May 2, 2025

    Application Deadline: April 13, 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

    August 18, 2025

    Impacted Area: Iowa, including Minnesota and South Dakota

    Triggering Disaster: Severe thunderstorms and high winds that occurred on June 11, 2025

    Application Deadline: April 20, 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. 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 Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Minnesota Producers Affected by High Winds, Hail, Tornado, Excessive Rain, and Flash Flooding

    August 14, 2025

    Impacted Area: Minnesota

    Triggering Disasters: High Winds, rain, and tornado

    Application Deadline: April 13, 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 Approves Emergency Conservation Assistance for 20 Counties in Texas

    August 12, 2025

    The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Texas is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in 20 counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding. This program provides cost-share and technical assistance for farmers and producers to restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions, offering up to 75% of approved restoration costs (with a $500,000 max per disaster). Eligible practices include debris removal, land grading, fence repairs, and restoring conservation structures. Deadlines to apply vary by county, with most set for September or October 2025.

    To speed recovery, the FSA has waived certain approval and inspection requirements for non-engineering practices like debris removal and fence repair. Producers who lease federally managed, tribal, or state lands are also eligible. Landowners are encouraged to contact their local USDA office for guidance, especially before performing work involving engineering or significant ground disturbance. More program details and resources are available through local USDA Service Centers and farmers.gov.

    View Official Update

    USDA Offers Program Flexibilities for Texas Agricultural Producers Impacted by Recent Flooding

    August 12, 2025

    The USDA announced new flexibilities in its disaster assistance programs to support Texas agricultural producers affected by recent flooding. Key changes include broader eligibility for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), as well as flexible documentation requirements and deadlines for reporting losses. Additional support is offered through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), farm loans, the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program, and deferrals for borrowers in disaster-designated counties.

    Risk management guidance emphasizes timely damage reporting for crop insurance and NAP participants. Conservation programs, such as emergency use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres and the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), provide technical and financial help for restoring farmland and infrastructure. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is available for assistance with recovery and conservation planning, while communities may seek support through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. Affected producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA offices for program enrollment and assistance details.

    View Official Update

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

    August 8, 2025

    Impacted Area: Tennessee, Kentucky

    Triggering Disaster: Various

    Application Deadline: March 24, 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

    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.

    Dairy Farmer checking FarmRaise on tablet
    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!

    Stay in the know!

    Sign up for the FSA Hub mailing list to stay up to date with tips, news, and education enhancements!

    We'd love to hear from you!

    If you have questions, comments, or feedback related to the hub, please let us know below.