What Getting a FSA Number Means For You
Trivia, for $13,750!
Answer: Your farm’s FSA registration. Question: What’s the first step to unlocking over $13k in Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant funding, and then tapping into thousands more $$$ via numerous other USDA and NRCS programs?
Background
While Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative will guide growers through the AMP grant approval process to help them receive financial support for up to 110 acres of perennial seed, the first hurdle to clear is that of sharing your “Farm Service Agency (FSA) subsidiary print.” This document reflects that your farm is registered with the FSA and has completed the AD-2047 and AD-1026 paperwork. With these in hand, the AMP grant application process is relatively smooth and hands-free, because the OBC team will be coordinating everything AMP related on your behalf!
FSA registration is remarkably easy
If you already have established records with the FSA, you can simply call your local office and ask for a subsidiary print. The FSA recommends that if you don’t yet have established FSA records, a visit to your local office is the easiest way to get started.
(1) Look up your local Farm Services Agency office. Give them a call and let them know that you’re going to register the farm. For the AMP grant, you’ll need farm, tract, field details and AD-2407, AD-1026. They will tell you what documents you’ll need to bring such as proof of identity and the property deed.
(2) Once you’re registered and the forms are complete, ask them for a copy of the "subsidiary print” to satisfy the AD-2047 and AD-1026 documentation that OBC is going to request.
A sample subsidiary print. Please note: your print might not have every category on here.
Remind me again…Why do I want to do this paperwork?
First of all, the Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative is one of many organizations with USDA funding available for programs that could “stack” benefits for your farming operations. Beyond the AMP grant program and the perennial cover funding you can get through OBC, there’s numerous additional benefits that open up after you’re registered with the FSA. Here’s just a few of those:
Disaster Recovery Assistance: Literally billions of dollars are allocated nearly every year, to assist farmers and ranchers with catastrophic impacts from natural, physical and economic disasters. Your FSA registration opens the door to these programs when needed.
Access to Low-interest Funding and Loan Programs Capital: FSA Loan Programs provide credit when commercial banking will not. From new-farmer micro-loans to multi-million dollar land loan guarantees, and operating notes, your FSA registration opens the door to credit at reasonable rates and terms! A few of these vital loan programs include:
Operating Loans for livestock, nursery stock, seed, and equipment
Farm Ownership Loans to purchase or expand your operation
A portion of FSA loan funds are set aside specifically for beginning farmers and ranchers just getting started.
Cost-share funding for Conservation Programs, EQIP, CRP and more: Perennial cover isn’t the only conservation practice the FSA can provide assistance with. From compost to conservation easements and nearly everything in between, your FSA registration opens up the potential to tap into dozens of cost-share practices or funding opportunities via NRCS. It starts with an FSA registration though - and often that’s the easiest part. Get to know your local FSA office, and they can help guide you too.
A Voice in How Local Programs are Run: By registering with FSA, you can vote in county FSA elections, giving you a say in how federal farm programs are prioritized in your county. These committees directly influence which programs get promoted and funded locally.
The Bottom Line
Think of FSA registration as a passport. Maybe you only use it once, or you might use it for several programs every year. If you want to tap into the Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative’s AMP grant funds for perennial cover for your vineyard or orchard, FSA registration is step #1.
Have questions? Reach out to OBC and we can provide you with a sample of what the subsidiary print for the AMP grant looks like and more.