INTRO TO FSA

Your Guide to FSA Success

Discover how Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs can support your farming goals. From getting started to maximizing benefits, this guide provides the tools and knowledge you need to thrive.

ABOUT THIS PAGE

Who is this for?

Farmers, ranchers, and agriculture business operators looking to get started with FSA programs or discover new resources.

What do I get?

Step-by-step guidance to establish eligibility for FSA programs, plus additional tools and resources to support your operations.

GETTING STARTED

What does FSA offer?

Farm Programs

Helping farmers and ranchers manage risk and improve operations. These initiatives ensure producers can maintain their livelihoods and grow sustainably.

Farm Loan Programs

Providing financial assistance to those unable to secure loans from commercial lenders. Includes a range of loan types to meet diverse needs.

Comprehensive Support

FSA offers programs tailored to the financial and operational needs of U.S. farmers and ranchers, ensuring stability and long-term success.

Where do I start?

Start here to learn about the required forms and processes needed to get established with FSA, as well as specialized programs tailored to your farming needs.

FSA Required Forms

We'll start with forms and processes required for everyone to get established with FSA.

Specialized Farms & Programs

Next we'll move on to some items that are only applicable to certain farmers and programs.

Though some forms can be filled out on your own, your local FSA office is always there to help! If you would like to contact your local FSA before you get started, or any time through the process, feel free to do so.

Find my local office
1

Fill out FSA's Customer Data Worksheet

The purpose of this form is simply to collect basic contact and demographic information about you, the producer. Once you have filled out the form, bring it to your local USDA Service Center and FSA will establish your customer record based on the completed AD-2047.

View Form
2

Establish a Farm Record and Obtain a Farm Number

This is required to participate in USDA programs. FSA will need verification of your association with the land in your farming operation.

Find Local Office
Schedule an Appointment
Gather Documentation
Meet with FSA
3

Farm Operating Plan

Every farming operation must provide information regarding the operation’s structure and contributions of capital, equipment, land, labor, and management.  The most efficient way to provide this information is to schedule an appointment with your local USDA Service Center, where staff will assist you in completing the appropriate form.

Find Local Office

Here are some things you'll need to be prepared to provide:

Equipment
Land
Services
Labor & Management
Capital
Required Forms:

Program Benefits & Payments

Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning, and Veteran Farmers or Rancher Certification

This form is used to certify that an individual, legal entity, or joint operation is a member of one or more of the specific producer groups listed on the form.

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Special Provisions

Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification

This form is used for the evaluation & certification of your land’s highly erodible soils and wetlands, a conservation compliance eligibility requirement for FSA programs and loans, most NRCS programs, and Federal Crop Insurance premium subsidy administered by RMA.

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How to prepare:

Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)

The 2018 Farm Bill requires the implementation of an average AGI limitation for payment eligibility, ($900,000). This limitation provision applies to most programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS).

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How to prepare

Here are some pieces of information you'll need to be prepared provide:

  • If you farm on any land that is ONLY used for perennial crops (excluding sugar cane).
  • If the land has been converted to wetland since 2014
  • If you have FCIC crop insurance
  • If your land is considered "highly erodible"
  • Information on your land's drainage, and if any drainage work has been done on your land since 1985 that has not been evaluated by NRCS

Payment Enrollment Form for FSA

USDA payments are generally directly deposited with your bank. This form will allow you to set up or change your direct deposit information for USDA payments.

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How to prepare

For this form, you will need to provide basic information regarding your financial institution, including:

  • Bank address
  • Bank routing number
  • Your personal bank account number

Glossary of Terms

Use this tool to familiarize yourself with some of the language you may encounter when exploring FSA programs and resources!

TOOLS & GUIDES

Additional Resources

Set your Farm Business up for success with these extra resources.

Gov Delivery Alerts

Sign up for email and text message alerts to stay up-to-date with the latest news from FSA.

Get Alerts

Crop Insurance 101

This page offers introductory education of crop insurance, and guidance to the appropriate resources within USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) and Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Learn More

Cooperative Extension

These organizations can help farmers by providing useful information, hands-on advice, and connecting them to helpful resources and programs.

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Learn More

Create a Farmers.gov Account

Creating a Farmers.gov account will allow you to access additional resources, such as financial tools, conservation tools, and farm records mapping.

Get Started

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Services

Language Access Resources and Services are available for those who speak languages other than English. These services include translation and interpreter service.

Interpretation Services
Learn More
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Preparing for Disaster

Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)

NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.

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How to prepare:
NAP Eligibility Tools
Additional Tools

Agriculture Risk (ARC) & Price Loss Coverage (PLC)

The Agriculture Risk (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms.

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Agriculture Risk Coverage
Price Loss Coverage (PLC)
Additional Resources