Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences: Farm Service Agency (FSA)

USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events. Below you’ll find available FSA programs; visit farmers.gov for additional USDA programs that can help agricultural producers recover.

The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), offer financial assistance to agricultural producers. The ARC program provides payments when the actual revenue for a farm is less than a guarantee set based on historical data and market conditions.

The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program, administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary risk management tool for dairy producers. It offers financial assistance when the margin between the all-milk price and average feed cost falls below a coverage level chosen by the producer.

The Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, requires producers participating in most programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to abide by certain conditions on any land owned or farmed that is highly erodible or that is considered a wetland. Producers participating in these programs and any person or entity considered to be an "affiliated person" of the producer, are subject to these conditions. The regulations covering the conditions are set forth in the Federal Register at 7 CFR Part 12.

CCC funds are used to implement specific programs established by Congress as well as to carry out activities under the broad authorities of the CCC Charter Act.

Organic farmers, ranchers, and food processors follow a defined set of standards to produce organic food and fiber. Congress described general organic principles in the Organic Foods Production Act, and the USDA defines specific organic standards. These standards cover the product from farm to table, including soil and water quality, pest control, livestock practices, and rules for food additives.

The United States Warehouse Act (USWA) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to license warehouse operators who store agricultural products. Warehouse operators that apply must meet the USDA standards established within the USWA and its regulations. Application is voluntary. Applicants agree to be licensed under the USWA, observe the rules for licensing and pay associated user fees.