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Have a Question, Need an Answer? Ask FSA
Finding answers to beginning farmer and rancher loans or information on government grants for individuals is available online 24-hours a day, seven days a week with AskFSA.
AskFSA is a knowledgebase that contains Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on a range of FSA-related topics. Visitors to AskFSA will find the most highly asked questions at the top of the page. Can’t find the answer to a question? A search will bring up possible answers or users can send an email to an FSA subject matter expert who will respond with an answer.
For Spanish-speaking individuals there is AskFSA Spanish and for questions regarding MIDAS (Modernize and Innovate the Delivery of Agricultural Systems) — a system that will improve the way programs are delivered to producers — there is AskMIDAS.
AskFSA Internal is for FSA employees who have questions about human resources or personnel issue, SharePoint or Web publishing concerns.
Visit AskFSA, AskFSA Internal, AskFSA Spanish, Ask MIDAS or email AskFSA with any questions.
Celebrating Hispanic-Americans: Many Backgrounds, Many Stories…One American Spirit
Hispanic-American FSA employees shared their experiences during a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Pictured (l to r) José Gonzalez, director of Commodity Operations Division, Vilma Alejandro, associate director for FFAS Human Resources Division, Isabel Benemelis, deputy chief of Public Affairs and FSA Administrator Juan Garcia.
By Latawnya Dia, FSA Public Affairs Specialist
Each had a different story. A different background and a different experience. But they all represented Hispanic America and they all shared their history and culture with the Farm Service Agency during a Town Hall Meeting celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“I have firsthand experience when I say that the work that we do in FSA has been viable to the sustainability of Hispanic farmers like my father and many others throughout the nation,” said FSA Administrator Juan Garcia, who is the first Hispanic selected to the administrator position.
Garcia said his father farmed cotton and grain sorghum and got his start with a loan from FSA, then known as the Farmers Home Administration. His family later benefited from the guaranteed loan program as well as other support programs offered by the agency. “After today I hope you have an appreciation for the past, present and future of agriculture for Hispanics, but also know how you and your work have contributed to Hispanics which makes up a small part of our nations’ mosaic of different cultures.” Continue reading
FSA Offers Symposium for Vets Interested in Farming
The Farm Service Agency is sponsoring an “Access to Capital” symposium for veterans interested in farming. “This is an opportunity for veterans to get information and learn about a variety of capital resources to help finance start-up operations or help farmers and ranchers with military backgrounds expand their current operations,” said Deputy Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Karis Gutter, a U.S. Marine Corps reserve veteran. The event — held Oct. 10 at West Virginia University in Kearneysville, W.Va. — will provide veterans who have an interest in agricultural with financial and business planning information. Presentations will be given on various loan and grant programs available to start or improve agricultural operations, including FSA farm loan programs and the proposed microloan program. Email Rob Haughton, Ross Erickson or call 530-756-1395 to attend.
Drought Stifles Livelihood of Farmers and Ranchers
For producers who depend on farming to support their families, this year’s drought has changed their way of life. Canceled vacations, selling land that has been in the family for generations and children opting for in-state colleges along with sleepless nights has taken its toll on drought-stricken producers. “You probably can’t print our mood,” said Dallis Basel, a sheep rancher in western South Dakota who sold off half of his herd because of the high feed prices caused by the drought. “It’s been kind of depressed. Like the wife says, she can’t drink enough to dull the pain of selling all the sheep.” Read more (NY Times).
Sign-Up Period for Disaster Assistance Program Opens Oct. 22
Producers who suffered crop losses due to natural disasters during the 2011 crop year can sign up for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program beginning Oct. 22. The SURE program is authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, allowing payments to be made to qualifying producers who suffered losses through Sept. 30, 2011. Losses occurring after that date do not qualify. Farmers and ranchers interested in signing up must do so before the June 7, 2013 deadline. Learn more.
40 Years of Friendships, Mentoring Makes FSA Second Home for Clara Moore
Clara Moore has spent 40 years at FSA building friendships. In her spare time she mentors young people and provides help to senior citizens.
By Latawnya Dia, FSA Public Affairs Specialist
Clara Moore is more than just a secretary for the Farm Service Agency administrator. She is a mentor, tax consultant and undercover comedian who has given four decades of service to FSA.
Moore was hired at U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1972 as part of the stay-in-school program at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C. “A big part of the program,” Moore explains, “was to have high school seniors work for the federal government.”
After graduation she began working for FSA, then known as the Farmers Home Administration, as a mail clerk. From that point, Moore served in five other positions in 40 years with all of them in the USDA South Building, with the exception of one year in the Yates Building. Continue reading
Posted in Features
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Indiana FSA Reaches Out to Thousands at State Fair
Images from the Indiana State Fair. More than 1 million people attend the event each year.
By Donna Ferguson, Indiana Farm Service Agency
As the “Year of Dairy Cows” overtook the 250 acres of land on the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, so did Indiana Farm Service Agency employees in providing outreach to fairgoers about agriculture and FSA’s programs.
More than 20 FSA employees (two retired and 21 current) provided their time, knowledge and talents to work at various agricultural and conservation exhibits during the 18-day fair.
“Outreach about agriculture and USDA is very important for our agency so I encouraged FSA employees to work at the fair,” said State Executive Director Julia A. Wickard. “The state fair attracts almost one million attendees and it is a great opportunity to tell the agricultural story to the non-farm public.” Continue reading
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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for October
The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for October 2012. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, unchanged from September, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during October is 1.125, unchanged from last month. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans and discount rates for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program also are available. Read more.
Posted in News
Tagged commodity credit corp, loans
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Carolyn Cooksie Says Goodbye to FSA After 37 Years
Carolyn Cooksie said a few words of thanks during a ceremony held on the Whitten Patio at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
After 37 years with the Farm Service Agency, Carolyn B. Cooksie, FSA associate administrator, waved goodbye to 80 hour work weeks, long meetings and conference calls to walk into a new adventure — retirement.
Beginning her career as a GS-1 in high school, Cooksie worked her way up from a district office in her home town of Kentucky to the FSA associate administrator for operations and management at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Her work ethic never went unnoticed and was recognized by several individuals during a retirement luncheon and ceremony held Thursday, Sept. 27.
Honors were given by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack while former FSA administrators, undersecretaries and deputies in all divisions paid tribute to Cooksie’s accomplishments. “You have to have a work ethic, show up every day and you have to treat people the way you want to be treated,” said Cooksie in an interview for Fence Post earlier this year. “I learned that it’s not about having a hidden agenda, it’s about doing your job and doing what’s best for the employees and customers.” Read FencePost article on Carolyn Cooksie.
