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Dates of Importance
March 18, Emergency Commodity Assistance Program applications (FSA-63 ECAP) mailed to producers, please sign and return (FSA)
April 15, Final Date for timely 2025 ARC/PLC sign-up (FSA)
April 15, Final Date to enroll in STAX supplemental cotton insurance (Crop Insurance Agent)
April 16, Final date to enroll in Emergency Conservation Program (February 14-15, Storm damage) (FSA
July 15, Final date to timely report spring seeded crops (FSA)
August 15, Final date to return or sign in office ECAP applications. (FSA)
To subscribe to text message alerts, text TNGibson to FSANOW (372-669). Standard text messaging rates apply.
Flooding has caused damage in Obion and Forked Deer River area(s) of the County and tornadoes in the Davidson Chapel, Idlewild, Gann and Hollyleaf areas of the county.
If you’ve suffered damage, you may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by the Gibson County Farm Service Agency (FSA)
For land to be eligible, the natural disaster must create new conservation problems that, if untreated, would:
- be so costly to rehabilitate that Federal assistance is or will be needed to return the land to productive agricultural use
- is unusual and is not the type that would recur frequently in the same area
- affect the productive capacity of the farmland
- impair or endanger the land
If you qualify for ECP assistance, you may receive cost-share levels not to exceed 75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures. Eligible socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers can receive up to 90 percent of the eligible cost of restoration. No one is eligible for more than $500,000 cost sharing per natural disaster occurrence.
If you’ve suffered a loss from the flood or tornado of February 14-15, 2025, contact the Gibson County FSA Office and request assistance between March 17, 2025, to April 18, 2025.
To be eligible for assistance, practices must not be started until all of the following are met:
- an application for cost-share assistance has been filed
- the local FSA County Committee (COC) or its representative has conducted an onsite inspection of the damaged area
- the Agency responsible for technical assistance, such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), has made a needs determination, which may include cubic yards of earthmoving, etc., required for rehabilitation
- OR exceptions allowed by the FSA County Committee (COC) are extensive photographs, showing damage and extent of damage, taken and provided at the time of application.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FSA must complete an environmental compliance review prior to producers taking any actions.
For more information about ECP, contact your Gibson County USDA Service Center at 731-855-0023 or visit fsa.usda.gov.
The American Relief Act, 2025 Authorizes $10 billion in funding to issue 1-time economic assistance payment to eligible producers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year. USDA has directed FSA to administer this assistance through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). The payments will help farmers of eligible commodities cope with increased costs and falling commodity prices, allowing them to pay down debt relative to the 2024 crop and obtain financing for the 2025 crop year.
ECAP payments are based on a producer’s eligible acres of eligible commodities. Eligible acres include the acreage of eligible commodities panted on a farm for harvest, grazing, haying, silage, or other similar purposes for the 2024 crop year; and 50 percent of the acreage on the farm that was prevented from being planted during the 2024 crop year to an eligible commodity due to natural disaster or other condition beyond the producer’s control. To determine eligibility and calculate payments, FSA must obtain acreage information from producers if not already on file, and producers must confirm their previously reported acreage is eligible for ECAP.
FSA is creating the ECAP application electronically for producers. FSA-63 ECAP applications will be pre-filled based on a producers 2024 crop year FSA-578, Report of Acreage. Most producers already reported their acreage because of the applicant’s participation in prior FSA programs.
FSA will print and mail a pre-filled FSA-63 ECAP to producers who will then file the forms (in hard copy or electronically) with their FSA County Office. Applicants may return the pre-filled application to an FSA County Office, in person, by mail, or electronically by email or using Box and One-Span, which is used for other FSA programs. Producers with a level 2 eAuthentication account will be able to access and submit their application electronically through the program’s main webpage. Applicants may visit their county office to complete the application prior to receiving the printed and mailed application.
ECAP Applicants must submit the following forms, if not already on file with FSA; FSA-63 ECAP, Application, AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification, AD-2047 Customer Data Worksheet, CCC-902 Farm Operating Plan for Individuals or Legal Entities and supporting documentation, FSA-578, Report of Acreage, and CCC-576, Notice of Loss and Application for Payment(Part A and B only) and CCC-943, 75% of Average Gross Income from Farming, Ranching or Forestry Certification.
ARC/PLC enrollment period for the 2025 crop year is Jan. 21, 2025, through April 15, 2025.
Reminder to producers that:
Although election changes for 2025 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2025 unless an election change is made.
If producers do not submit their election revision by the April 15 deadline, their election remains the same as their 2024 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the cropland.
ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products including Supplemental Coverage Option, Enhanced Coverage Option and, for cotton producers, the Stacked Income Protection Plan (commonly referred to as STAX).
Farmers can use USDA farm ownership microloans to buy and improve property. These microloans are especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013.
Microloans can also help with farmland and building purchases and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
To learn more about the FSA microloan program, contact Landon Hogan at the Gibson County FSA Office at 731-330-3072 or visit fsa.usda.gov/microloans.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture and improve the quality of our air, water, soil and wildlife habitat.
Simply put – NRCS helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make conservation work for them.
Our Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program enables every acre of voluntary conservation applied through every program NRCS administers. It is the foundation of our financial and technical assistance delivery system.
Every farm and acre is unique and requires tailored management; and every decision maker has different management concerns and needs. Our technical assistance is one-on-one, personalized advice and support to help producers make the best decisions for their lands – and is offered free of charge.
This personalized assistance provides producers with the science-based data and tools to make informed decisions about where to target efforts to get the greatest return on their investment and ensure the long-term sustainability of American agriculture.
A comprehensive conservation plan is the first step to managing all the natural resources on a farm. NRCS walks the farm with the producer and develops options to address that producer’s needs. Our toolbox includes aerial photos, soil surveys, engineering solutions and individual science-based analysis customized for the producer’s property. The plan we develop with the producer combines existing production methods with recommended conservation practices to best manage that farm’s unique natural resources, while allowing the producer to grow sustainably and productively. Supported by our expert analysis and recommendations, the producer chooses which option best meets their needs. These decisions become the producer’s conservation plan, a step-by-step guide to reach their objectives.
This planning process also makes it easier to identify how and when the farmer, rancher or forest landowner could qualify for Farm Bill financial assistance to help them install conservation systems or receive incentives for trying new ones. We have the expertise to see our customers through this process. Because identifying when, where and how to implement practices is not plug and play.
The final plan provides a roadmap for the producer to meet their natural resource conservation goals. It includes helpful information on each of the producer’s practices, such as how they benefit the farm, how to maintain them, and how they help the soil, water and wildlife.
By developing a conservation plan and adding conservation to the land, farmers, ranchers and forest landowners can protect the land’s ability to provide for their family and future generations.
With offices in communities nationwide, NRCS staff provide the information, tools and delivery systems necessary for producers – in every state and territory – to conserve, maintain and improve their natural resources.
Contact your local USDA service center to find out more at 731-855=0023.
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