The pandemic and Ukraine invasion have led to supply chain disruptions, higher prices of inputs, and goods shortages in countries across the globe. USDA is adding program flexibilities, expanding options and assistance, and investing in fertilizer to help farmers address inflation and global food insecurity.
USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie talks about farmers’ higher input costs and the creative ways USDA is helping producers address those challenges.
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Investing in Fertilizer
USDA accepted applications for the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program in late 2022. In the first round, the Department made $29 million in award offers to eight businesses for projects that could increase fertilizer capacity for the 2023 or 2024 crop year. To learn more, read the March 10, 2023, news release. Details about the second round will be released in the coming weeks.
Crop Insurance for Double Cropping
To reduce the risk of raising two crops on the same land in one year – a practice known as double cropping - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding double crop insurance opportunities in more than 1,500 counties where double cropping is viable. This is the result of active stakeholder engagement, which included 100-plus meetings and engagements over the past few months.
For crop year 2023, RMA reminds producers there may be insurance options for double crop soybeans as well as grain sorghum and other crops in counties where the Follow Another Crop (FAC) practice is not available. More information, including maps, is available regionally:
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
- Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee
- Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
- Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
- Michigan
- Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming
- Ohio
- Oklahoma and Texas
Precision Agriculture and Nutrient Management
USDA is increasing its technical assistance for nutrient management practices, including precision agriculture, helping farmers more efficiently use fertilizer and reduce costs. This includes streamlining the application process for NRCS conservation programs like EQIP and CSP and prioritizing application approvals to expand access to its nutrient management planning and cost sharing assistance programs.
NRCS accepts applications for EQIP and CSP year-round. If you’re interested in applying, contact the NRCS office at your local USDA Service Center.
With fertilizer costs more than doubling in the past year, it’s more important than ever to strategically manage nutrients. On average, farmers can save nearly $30 per acre on land currently receiving excess nutrients by implementing a nutrient management plan. Learn more about SMART Nutrient Management.
The Inflation Reduction Act will deliver $19.5 billion in new conservation funding to support climate-smart agriculture that will bolster the new steps that NRCS is taking to improve opportunities for nutrient management. This is part of USDA’s broader effort to address future fertilizer availability and cost challenges for U.S. producers.
Find Your Local Service Center
USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.
Learn more about our Urban Service Centers.
Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office or to find an insurance agent near you.