Welcome

Submitted by Christy Peterson,  Contractor Secretary to NRCS

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Are you new to farming? Have you been operating a farm or ranch for less than 10 years? If you answered yes to either question, you are likely considered a beginning farmer. From farm loans to crop insurance and conservation programs to disaster assistance, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is here to support you and your operation! Did you know your local USDA service center has a coordinator that can help answer questions that you may have? The Dickey county USDA service center, located in Ellendale, has both Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff that can meet with you one-one one to discuss your vision, goals, resource concerns, and ways USDA can help.

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Your NRCS team member will work with you to learn about your goals, your land and can help develop a conservation plan. Staff will help you determine if there is a need for technical assistance or if an application can be filled out for a wide range of NRCS programs for potential financial assistance.

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Your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) is your go-to agency for many USDA records. FSA team members will help you to register your farm and help you fill out necessary paperwork for current FSA programs. FSA provides disaster assistance, safety net, farm loan and conservation programs. Depending on what you raise or grow, filing an acreage report each season can ensure you are eligible for many programs throughout the USDA and allows you to vote in county FSA elections.

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Additional USDA resources are the Risk Management Agency (RMA). RMA administers federal crop insurance through Approved Insurance Providers to help farmers prepare for the future. Special provisions are available to beginning farmers.

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Rural Development (RD) provides loans, grants, loan guarantees, and technical assistance, along with support for affordable housing, infrastructure modernization, business, cooperatives, and other essential services community services.

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Cooperative Extension: USDA and agricultural colleges around the county work together to support an extensive network of State, regional, and county Cooperative Extension offices, which can help answer questions you may have about your operation and address common issues faced by agricultural producers.

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If you are looking for access to capital, to improve your farm’s soil health, to rebuild after a natural disaster or attract more wildlife, NRCS and FSA team members can help understand your vision and recommend programs for your operation.

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Your local NRCS office will be holding a round table discussion on April 16 and we invite you as a beginning farmer to attend. The workshop will be start 10:00 am at the USDA service center located at 51 North First Street in Ellendale. Staff will discuss government programs available to you and any questions you may have. We hope to see you there.     

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UPCOMING DATES:

Ladies Ag rescheduled due to weather to April 9th, 2024

District Board Meeting April 10th, 2024, 8 am, USDA Service Center  

Beginning Farmer Meeting April 16, 2024, 10 am, USDA Service Center

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For more information contact the James River Soil Conservation District and Ellendale NRCS office at 349-3653, ext. 3. Our field office is in Ellendale at 51 N. 1st Street. Also, remember to visit the James River Soil Conservation District Facebook page and our websites for more information –http://www.jamesriverscd.org/ and http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/nd/home/. The NRCS is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.