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Policy Pulse:
• USDA: $12B Farmer Bridge Payments — USDA announced bridge payments for producers hit by unfair market disruptions; details vary by commodity. First action: Read the release and call your FSA office to confirm eligibility.
• ECAP — Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (status) — 2025 signup closed; payments/disputes continue via local FSA offices. First action: If you applied, confirm records and payment status with FSA.
• MASC — Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (status) — 2025 cycle closed; watch for 2026 updates. First action: Bookmark the page and ask FSA about the next round.
• SDRP — Supplemental Disaster Relief Program — Stage 2 remains open through April 30, 2026. First action: Gather insurance/acreage docs and file before the deadline.
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Federal Programs
• Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) — Stage 1 & 2 | What it pays for: Losses from 2023–2024 disasters (insured/uninsured incl. quality losses). | Deadline: Apr 30, 2026 | Who can apply: Producers with eligible crop, tree, bush, or vine losses. | First action: Call your FSA office and start Stage 2; bring insurance and acreage records.
• Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) – 2026 Coverage Year | What it pays for: Income protection when the milk‑feed margin drops below your elected coverage level. | Deadline: Feb 26, 2026 | Who can apply: U.S. dairy operations (tiers based on production). | First action: Use the DMC decision tool, then enroll before the deadline.
• FSA Direct Farm Ownership & Operating Loans | What it pays for: Land purchases, equipment, operating and working capital; microloans available. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Family farmers and ranchers lacking commercial credit access. | First action: Ask your county FSA which loan fits and request the checklist before you gather docs.
• Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) | What it pays for: On‑farm storage/handling: grain bins, cold storage, hay storage, wash/pack upgrades. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Producers of eligible commodities. | First action: Price a bin or cold room and request an FSFL pre‑application checklist from FSA.
State Programs
• Minnesota — Beginning Farmer Loan Program (Aggie Bonds) | What it pays for: Tax‑exempt, low‑interest loans via local lenders for land, facilities, equipment. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Minnesota beginning farmers meeting RFA criteria. | First action: Call an RFA‑participating lender; confirm eligibility and next steps.
• Illinois — Beginning Farmer Bond Program (Aggie Bonds) | What it pays for: Tax‑exempt financing for farmland, buildings, and equipment through lenders. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Illinois beginning farmers who meet IFA rules. | First action: Review IFA eligibility checklist; contact a participating lender.
• North Dakota — Ag PACE Interest Buydown | What it pays for: Interest buydown on loans for on‑farm value‑added projects and equipment. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: ND agricultural producers via local lenders and BND. | First action: Ask your lender to submit an Ag PACE buydown request to BND.
• Montana — Beginning Farmer/Rancher Loan (Bond) Program | What it pays for: Tax‑exempt financing for ag land, equipment, and improvements. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Eligible beginning farmers/ranchers in Montana. | First action: Call the Montana Board of Investments to discuss a lender and bond sizing.
• Alaska — Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund (ARLF) | What it pays for: Fixed‑rate loans for land, equipment, and working capital tied to farming. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Alaska farmers and ag businesses meeting ARLF criteria. | First action: Download the application packet and call the Loan Program to confirm collateral and terms.
• Hawaii — Agricultural Loan Division | What it pays for: State‑backed loans for land, equipment, and farm improvements. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Hawaii farmers, aquaculture, and eligible ag enterprises. | First action: Contact HDOA Agricultural Loan Division to match the correct loan product.
• Ohio — Ag‑LINK Interest Rate Reduction | What it pays for: Reduces interest on operating loans (seed, feed, fertilizer, fuel, etc.). | Deadline: Year‑round | Who can apply: Ohio farmers through participating banks/credit unions. | First action: Ask your lender to submit an Ag‑LINK application via the Treasurer’s portal.
• Kentucky — Beginning Farmer Loan Program (KAFC) | What it pays for: Participation loans for land, breeding livestock, equipment, and facilities. | Deadline: Rolling | Who can apply: Eligible beginning farmers in Kentucky (with lender participation). | First action: Review KAFC guidelines; have your lender contact KAFC for a participation loan.
• New York — Linked Deposit Program (includes agriculture) | What it pays for: Interest‑rate reductions on business loans, including farm projects. | Deadline: Rolling (subject to lender participation) | Who can apply: NY small businesses incl. farms; must meet ESD criteria. | First action: Confirm your lender participates; request LDP paperwork with your loan.
• Idaho — Specialty Crop Block Grant (State) | What it pays for: Projects that enhance the competitiveness of Idaho specialty crops. | Deadline: Mar 8, 2026 (pre‑apps) | Who can apply: Ag nonprofits, producers, universities, and agencies (project‑based). | First action: Download RFA and submit a concept proposal by the pre‑application deadline.
What to do this week
• If you had 2023–2024 losses, set an SDRP appointment and list your affected crops and docs.
• Dairies: run the DMC decision tool and enroll before Feb 26.
• In two states you bank in, ask lenders about Linked Deposit / interest buydown options (OH, NY).
• Pick one rolling state loan (AK, HI, MT, ND) and call to confirm current rates and collateral.
• If you grow specialty crops in Idaho, sketch a 1‑page project concept for the SCBG pre‑app.
Watch‑list (prep now)
• FruitGuys Community Fund Micro‑Grants — Small grants for sustainability projects on small farms; current cycle typically closes late Jan.
• Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative — Multiple grant tracks for producers and processors; new rounds often open late winter.
Glossary
• Linked Deposit (interest buydown): State lowers your loan’s interest rate by placing a deposit with your lender.
• Aggie Bonds: Tax‑exempt bonds that give beginning farmers lower‑rate loans through local lenders.
• Quality loss: When crops are downgraded (e.g., aflatoxin, sprout damage) and fetch lower prices after a disaster.
Sources (primary/canonical)
• USDA Press Release: $12B Farmer Bridge Payments • FSA – SDRP Program Page • FSA – SDRP Deadline (National Deadlines) • FSA – DMC Program Page • FSA – Farm Loan Programs • FSA – Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) • MN RFA Loan Programs • ILFA Beginning Farmer Bond • BND Ag PACE • MT Beginning Farmer/Rancher Bonds • AK Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund • HI Agricultural Loans • OH Ag‑LINK • KY Beginning Farmer Loan (KAFC) • NY Linked Deposit Program • Idaho SCBG
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