Farm Service Agency

Farm Service Agency

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides services to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners. The FSA is responsible for implementing agricultural policy, administering credit and loan programs, and managing conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs.

History

The Farm Service Agency was established in 1994 as part of the reorganization of the USDA. It was created to streamline the delivery of agricultural programs and services to farmers and ranchers. The FSA was formed by merging several predecessor agencies, including the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) and the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA).

Functions

The FSA administers a variety of programs that support the agricultural sector. These include:

Commodity Programs

The FSA manages programs that provide financial assistance to farmers for the production of certain commodities. These programs help stabilize farm income and ensure a steady supply of agricultural products.

Conservation Programs

The FSA works to promote conservation practices on agricultural land. Programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) encourage farmers to convert environmentally sensitive land into conservation reserves.

Disaster Assistance

The FSA provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by natural disasters. This includes programs like the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).

Farm Loans

The FSA offers direct and guaranteed loans to farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain credit from commercial lenders. These loans can be used for farm ownership, operating expenses, and emergency needs.

Organization

The FSA is organized into a national office, state offices, and county offices. The national office is responsible for policy development and oversight, while state and county offices implement programs at the local level.

Related Pages

• United States Department of Agriculture
• Conservation Reserve Program
• Farm Credit System
• Agricultural policy of the United States