FSA Offices Will Increase Worker Capacity
Starting Monday, Farm Service Agency offices will be allowed to operate at 50 percent worker capacity. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Biden Administration previously limited offices to 25 percent worker capacity. The White House is making an exception for Farm Production and Conservation offices to better serve farmers ahead of the planting season. FSA is […]
Interest Rates Unchanged, For Now
Despite growing optimism for the U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve does not expect to raise interest rates until the end of 2023. In a statement, the Federal Reserve board said the sectors most adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic remain weak and inflation continues to run below two percent.
Ag Not Included in New Stimulus Package
The new $2 trillion coronavirus package does not include any significant assistance for agriculture. There is one provision to provide assistance to minority farms, focused primarily on Black, Hispanic and Native American colleges and universities.
Additional Flexibility for Specialty Crop Block Grants Requested
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has requested to protect farm workers and additional support for the specialty crop industry. In a letter to Acting Agriculture Secretary Kevin Shea, the organization asks for extra flexibility for the use of Specialty Crop Block Grants. These uses could include vaccination programs for agricultural workers, building COVID-19 related […]
Hoeven Hosts Farm COVID Relief Roundtable
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven hosted a roundtable discussion Thursday morning with state farm groups and Farm Service Agency officials on the recently passed COVID-19 legislation. There was $13 billion included in the latest relief package for agriculture, and much of that is expected to be implemented under the Biden Administration. Hoeven also outlined the […]
