California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Food Deserts in Rural America Expose Need for Broader Distribution Strategies

    Food insecurity remains prevalent in the U.S. with sparsely-populated rural areas often being disproportionally affected. Rural communities comprise 63% of all U.S. counties but 87% of counties with the highest food insecurity rates. The primary challenge for rural residents is the prevalence of low-access food deserts, where the distance to supermarkets impedes the ability of consumers to access a wide range of food and beverage options.

    According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the sheer volume of consumers experiencing food insecurity due to poor access represents a potential market opportunity for food manufacturers. Serving these customers through direct-to-consumer ecommerce platforms or direct delivery could be a relatively easy and profitable means to improve their food options.

    “A sizable portion of the country falls within the realm of a food desert and with 10% of the U.S. population experiencing some degree of food insecurity, the market is there,” said Billy Roberts, senior food and beverage economist for CoBank. “Innovation in the areas of driverless and drone delivery could ultimately provide food and beverage companies even more opportunities to establish direct relationships with underserved rural consumers.”

    U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that 27 million Americans suffered from food insecurity as of July 2023. Feeding America estimates the number of food insecure is closer to 34 million.

    Dozens of rural counties have no food store options. Walmart is the largest food retailer in the U.S. but there are considerable gaps in its market penetration. Population density suggests many of the food deserts in less-populated areas of the country simply do not have the consumer base to support a full-size grocery store.

    Research from The Brookings Institution finds 93% of the U.S. population—including 90% of people living in food deserts—has access to food delivery from at least one of four major players: Amazon, Instacart, Uber Eats or Walmart. However, only 37% of rural residents within limited-access food deserts have access to the major food delivery services. Significant barriers remain for these communities, often including the lack of reliable broadband connectivity.

    Convenience and dollar stores have increasingly focused on foods, improving access in some rural communities. However, low margins may be an obstacle to their continued growth in food sales. Dollar Tree recently pared down its profit expectations, citing an increase in low-margin purchases such as food, as well as issues with shrink and fuel costs.

    Roberts said agribusinesses and food manufacturers looking to establish a more direct line to their consumers may well consider adopting tactics seen during the height of the pandemic. “Farmers in rural America expanded their own delivery capabilities to meet consumer demand that stemmed from empty grocery store shelves or consumers efforts to isolate themselves,” he said.

    For shelf-stable food and beverage, delivery mechanisms exist even if it takes the form of FedEx, UPS or USPS. Fresh food offerings present another challenge altogether. But direct-to-consumer approaches will become more viable as delivery technologies improve. Food and beverage manufacturers could incorporate those technologies and establish their brands as part of rural consumers’ ensconced ordering procedures.

    Read the report, How Delivery Innovation Can Reduce Hunger in the Heartland.

    About CoBank

    CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 76,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

    CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

  • Stan Creelman to Serve as 2024 World Ag Expo® Chairman

    The 2024 World Ag Expo® season was kicked off by Show Chairman, Stan Creelman, on Saturday, September 23rd. Hosted at the International Agri-Center®, the annual “Kickoff Dinner” was attended by volunteers, staff, and invited guests. The event provides the opportunity to gather and enjoy fellowship while setting the tone for the coming show.

    “I am honored to serve as the 2024 World Ag Expo® Chairman,” said Creelman. “There have been so many great leaders before me, it is humbling to be among them.”

    A local farmer, Creelman came to Tulare in 1976 to help manage a custom harvesting operation. Since then, he has held numerous roles in agriculture including managing the Mid-Valley Cotton Growers from 1989 – 2021. He has served on the board of the National Cotton Council and as President of the California Grower Owned Gin, the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, and the National Cotton Growers Association.

    The 2024 show theme “The Best Farm Show on Dirt,” is a fun play on the success of World Ag Expo® as an outdoor show.

    “2024 World Ag Expo® is back and better than ever,” said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center® CEO. “Our staff and volunteers are excited to welcome back both exhibitors and attendees to Tulare in February.”

    The annual show is produced by the International Agri-Center®, a non-profit focused on agriculture education year-round.

    Entering its 57th year, World Ag Expo® is the largest annual outdoor ag tradeshow in the world. In 2023, the show saw 108,233 attendees from 49 states and 56 countries. With more than 1,200 exhibitors and 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, World Ag Expo® provides a platform for networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States. Applications are open online for seminar submissions at https://bit.ly/wae24seminarapp and the Top-10 New Products Contest at https://bit.ly/wae24top10app.

    Tickets are on sale online now at https://bit.ly/WAE24Tickets, and attendees can plan their visit at www.worldagexpo.org. With a diverse lineup of agriculture companies, demonstrations, and seminars, there is something for every ag professional. World Ag Expo® 2024 will run Tuesday, February 13 through Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the International Agri-Center® in Tulare, CA.

    For more information, visit www.worldagexpo.org.

  • Crop Insurance Options for Specialty and Organic Crops Improve and Expand

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is beefing up crop insurance options for specialty crop and organic producers, including rolling out new and expanded options based on feedback from America’s agricultural producers. To achieve this, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) accelerated its outreach efforts to hear directly from producers across the country by hosting in-person and virtual roadshows and making investments in risk management education. These improvements are part of a comprehensive effort to improve risk management tools and other programs for a wide variety of producers as well as expand access to organic markets.

    “We’re committed to working with specialty crop and organic producers to develop crop insurance options that fit their needs,” RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger said. “We’ve listened, and we’re proud of our efforts to deliver crop insurance options that meet the needs of producers as well as to share information on available crop insurance options. This is part of USDA’s commitment to reach underserved and underreached producers and to help producers access new and better markets.”

    From 1990 to 2022, liabilities for insured specialty crops rose from $1 billion to more than $23 billion. Over the past 20 years, the number of individual specialty crops insured under crop insurance programs increased by 27%. Currently, there are over 70 individual specialty crops insured under crop insurance programs.

    New Insurance Options:

    • Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance Program (TOGA): For 2022, RMA offered this new program reduce a producer’s overall crop insurance premium bill allowing them to continue using organic agricultural systems. Premium benefits for TOGA included: 10 percentage points of premium subsidy for all crops in transition, $5 per acre premium benefit for certified organic grain and feed crops, and 10 percentage points of premium subsidy for all Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) policies covering any number of crops in transition to organic or crops with the certified organic practice.
    • Tropical Storm Coverage: For crop year 2023 and succeeding years, RMA added a new option to Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI) for named tropical storm weather events. The Tropical Storm Option covers damage caused by strong weather systems not categorized as hurricanes. Both a wind and precipitation trigger must occur for an indemnity to be paid. This new option helped many producers recover after Hurricane Idalia this year. About 60% of eligible policies elected this option.
    • Grapevine: Beginning in crop year 2024, producers can insure all types of grapevines in select counties in California, Idaho, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas,and Washington. This policy complements the existing Grape crop insurance program that covers the fruit growing on the vine. The policy covers freeze, fire, hail, flood, failure of irrigation water supply, and other causes of loss.
    • Kiwifruit: Beginning in crop year 2024, producers in 12 California counties can insure their kiwifruit against unforeseen weather perils and other naturally occurring perils. The programcovers three varietal group types: Hayward; Reds & Golds; and Mega. The Hayward variety currently makes up 92% of the California crop followed by non-Hayward varieties, including reds and golds and one green variety marketed as Mega Kiwi.
    • Pomegranate: Beginning in crop year 2023, pomegranate producers in select California counties can receive yield-based insurance coverage for standard weather, natural, and environmental perils as well as quality losses. Coverage is available for two varietal groups: “Early” and the ‘Wonderful’ varieties and all others. The program also recognizes the different utilization values of fresh fruit, arils, and juice.
    • Shellfish: Beginning in crop year 2024, producers can insure their commercially cultivated oysters that are grown using containerized methods. This program offers production-based coverage on an individual producer basis. This insurance option provides coverage against four perils including: named storms, excessive heat, freeze, and low salinity and will be available in select counties in Alabama, California, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia.
    • Controlled Environment: Beginning in crop year 2024, producers can insure plants produced in a controlled environment against disease that occurs in their facility. This program will provide the following benefits: simple application and policy renewal process, like the Nursery Value Select program, and insurance for controlled environment producer-selected plant categories. In addition to specialty crop and organic producers, this policy will greatly benefit urban producers.

    Improved Insurance Options:

    • Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Program (WFRP): Several improvements will begin in the 2024 policy year including: allowing all eligible producers to qualify for 80% and 85% coverage levels; allowing producers to purchase catastrophic coverage level policies for individual crops with WFRP; expanding yield history to a 10-year maximum (from four years) for all crops not covered by another federal crop insurance policy; making the policy more affordable for single commodity producers; and allowing producers to customize their coverage by choosing whether WFRP will consider other federal crop insurance policies as primary insurance when calculating premium and revenue to count during claim time.
    • Micro Farm: Several updates were made to Micro Farm including: moving the sales closing date to a less busy time of year to help agents dedicate time to marketing the program, allowing producers to purchase other federal crop insurance with Micro Farm, allowing vertically integrated entities to be eligible and making the Expanding Operations feature available.
    • Pistachios: Several revisions were made to the Pistachio policy including: allowing insurance for producers with fewer than four years of production records under the new Transitional Yields (T-Yields); clarifying simple average approved yield for APH databases containing T-Yields; clarifying variability adjustment requirements for actual production history databases; and allowing assigned yields and temporary yields if indicated in the Special Provisions.
    • Quality Loss Option (QLO): RMA is making the QLO available to several initial specialty crops, including avocados (California only), blueberries, cranberries, grapes, peaches, stone fruit, and table grapes. RMA plans to make the option available to additional specialty crops in the upcoming months after further review.

    Outreach Efforts and Risk Management Education:

    • Outreach efforts: Over the last two years, RMA has engaged with more than 700,000 producers and crop insurance professionals through a multi-faceted outreach approach, interacting with 60,000 stakeholders at 560 events across the nation and hosting 39 in-person and virtual listening sessions to discuss prevented planting updates, apples, and cherries. Additionally, RMA hosted more than 3,000 producers during the “RMA Roadshow” that featured in-person and virtual events across the country. The Roadshow informed producers about updates and improvements to WFRP and Micro Farm.
    • Risk Management Education: In August 2023, RMA awarded about $6.5 million to 22 organizations to educate underserved, specialty, small-scale, and organic producers on farm risk management and climate-smart farm practices. Through Risk Management Education (RME), RMA partners with organizations, such as nonprofits and land grant universities, to develop training and resources for producers about risk management options. The almost $6.5 million investment builds on the $6.5 million that RMA has already provided in partnerships since 2021.

    More Information

    Specialty crop producers can learn more on RMA’s Specialty Crop Page or by contacting one of RMA’s specialty crop liaisons, who serve as points of contact for local specialty crop producers. Organic producers can learn more at RMA’s Organic webpage. Producers can receive the most up to date information about RMA insurance options for specialty crops by subscribing to GovDelivery.

    Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA agent locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting your RMA Regional Office.

  • Grape Consumption Benefits Eye Health in Human Study of Older Adults

    California Table Grape Commission — In a recent randomized, controlled human study, consuming grapes for 16 weeks improved key markers of eye health in older adults. The study, published in the scientific journal Food & Function looked at the impact of regular consumption of grapes on macular pigment accumulation and other biomarkers of eye health. This is the first human study on this subject, and the results reinforce earlier, preliminary studies where consuming grapes was found to protect retinal structure and function.

    Science has shown that an aging population has a higher risk of eye disease and vision problems. Key risk factors for eye disease include 1) oxidative stress and 2) high levels of ocular advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs may contribute to many eye diseases by damaging the vascular components of the retina, impairing cellular function, and causing oxidative stress. Dietary antioxidants can decrease oxidative stress and inhibit the formation of AGEs, with possible beneficial effects on the retina, such as an improvement in Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD). Grapes are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols.

    In this new study, 34 human subjects consumed either grapes (equivalent to 1 1⁄2 cups of grapes per day) or a placebo for 16 weeks. The grape eaters showed a significant increase in MPOD, plasma antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content compared to those on placebo. Those who didn’t consume grapes saw a significant increase in harmful AGEs, as measured in the skin.

    “Our study is the first to show that grape consumption beneficially impacts eye health in humans which is very exciting, especially with a growing aging population,” said Dr. Jung Eun Kim. “Grapes are an easy, accessible fruit that studies have shown can have a beneficial impact in normal amounts of just 1 1⁄2 cups per day.”

  • Organic Center Awarded Nearly $900,000 in Research Grants, Including Study of Orchard Grazing Benefits

    The Organic Center is thrilled to announce it is the recipient of almost $900,000 in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) research program. The funds will enable The Organic Center to collaborate in four new important OREI research grant projects.

    The projects announced by USDA will address a host of vital and diverse challenges facing today’s organic agriculture, including how to ensure food safety in organic production systems; the exploration of organic farming methods that increase resilience to climate change and also help fight pests; the benefits and challenges of livestock grazing in orchards; and ways to expand organic cotton production in the United States.

    USDA awarded a total of more than $50 million in grants for 24 OREI projects and for 8 Organic Transitions Program (ORG) projects. ORG helps existing and transitioning organic livestock and crop producers adopt organic practices.

    The OREI awards totaled a little over $43 million in funding. OREI helps support wide-ranging research projects that specifically address the most critical issues impacting organic growers. The 2018 Farm Bill approved increasing funding for OREI to $50 million per year by 2023, thus establishing permanent funding for the program.

    “Our mission is to strengthen and advance organic farming through science-based research, and this unprecedented level of funding from USDA will do much to help us achieve our goal,” said Dr. Amber Sciligo, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center (TOC). “We are extremely honored to be partnering with esteemed research institutions, universities, and non-profits in these projects, and to support the growth, expansion and continued improvement of organic.”

    What the projects are  

    Developing Risk-assessment, Educational, and Communication Tools to Lower Food Safety Barriers for Organic Specialty Crop Growers.

    Food safety is of paramount importance for every organic grower, but organic producers face unique challenges in trying to meet both National Organic Program standards and multiple food safety requirements. The Center’s biggest single award of almost $635,000 is for collaboration in a project led by the University of Rhode Island to equip organic growers and industry stakeholders – organic technical assistance/trainers/certifiers and food safety auditors/inspectors – with science-based tools and training to enable them to comply simultaneously with organic agriculture rules and food safety requirements. A key function of The Organic Center will be to host 10 regional, in-person workshops with farmers, organic inspectors and certifiers and food safety auditors and inspectors to help the organic experts understand the biggest food safety rules challenges and to educate the food safety specialists on organic practices, particularly those that may conflict with food safety rules.

    Expanding Resilient Climate and Pest Protection Systems for Diversified Organic Specialty Crop Producers.

    Dealing with insect pests, weeds and severe weather are challenges for every farmer, and even more so for organic producers who do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers. Organic vegetable growers are especially susceptible to invasive insects and weeds and the vagaries of today’s climate. The Organic Center has been awarded $101,000 to work with the University of Kentucky and the non-profit organization Organic Voices to help advance the awareness and most effective use of mesotunnel protection systems – fine-mesh netting barriers secured over specialty crops – that have been proven to provide a dual purpose protection system for organic vegetable producers, including small-scale farmers, homesteaders, and gardeners.

    Influence of Orchard Grazing on Soil Health and Pest Control While Mitigating Food Safety Risk.  

    The benefits of grazing sheep or other livestock to help convert cover crops to manure are becoming more well known, and interest in grazing livestock on cover crops in nut orchards has shown a steady increase in recent years. However, there are concerns about food-borne pathogens and food safety with this practice. The Organic Center, with a $75,000 award, will collaborate with the University of California at Davis to help design and coordinate an integrated research-extension approach to assess the benefits of livestock grazing on cover crops on bacterial populations, soil health, pest control and economic outcomes, with the goal to enhance the value of cover crops while limiting food safety risks in organic orchards in two distinct nut orchard regions in California.

    Expanding Organic Cotton Production in the US Cotton Belt Through Research and Outreach on Organic, Regenerative Practices.  

    The organic cotton sector in the U.S. is currently a $2 billion industry and is poised for rapid growth, fueled by consumer demands and growing interest among leading textile industry players to include organic cotton in their product portfolios. But organic cotton acreage in the United States remains small, and the need to increase domestic cotton production is critical. The Organic Center has been awarded almost $60,000 to work with Texas A&M University to help implement a coordinated research, extension and education program to promote and expand organic cotton production in the U.S. Cotton Belt.

    “The OREI program provides the most important pool of funds to advance our work at The Organic Center,” said The Organic Center’s Sciligo. “While this pot of funding has seen tremendous growth through the implementation of the last farm bill, future bills need to continue to increase the funding dedicated to organic research. We have come a long way in the past few decades, but with the increased demand for organic in the marketplace and the initiation of several USDA programs aimed at significantly increasing organic transition, the need for current organic research is unprecedented.”

    About The Organic Center

    The Organic Center’s mission is to convene credible, evidence-based science on the health and environmental impacts of organic food and farming and to communicate the findings to the public. The Center is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) research and education organization operating under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association.

  • Detection of Deadly Citrus Disease Triggers Quarantine in Ventura County; First HLB Detection in County

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has declared a quarantine in Ventura County following the detection of the citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, in two citrus trees on one residential property in the city of Santa Paula. These detections are the first HLB-positive trees in Ventura County. CDFA is working with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner on this cooperative project.

    The disease was detected in plant material taken from one orange and one lime tree in a residential neighborhood in the Santa Paula area of Ventura County. These detections follow the confirmation of a Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)-positive Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample taken from the find site.

    CDFA crews will be working to remove and dispose of the infected trees and are conducting a mandatory survey of every property within 250 meters of the detection site. After the survey is complete, all host plants in the 250-meter area around the detection site will be treated to suppress the disease vector, the ACP. By taking these steps, a critical reservoir of the disease and its vectors will be removed, which is essential to protect the surrounding citrus from this deadly disease.

    These detections establish a mandatory five-mile citrus HLB quarantine area around the find site. The quarantine area is bordered on the north by Ojai Road; on the south by E Los Angeles Avenue; on the west by Wells Road; and on the east by Balcom Canyon Road. The quarantine prohibits the sale of all host nursery stock and the movement of all host plants or plant parts within a five-mile radius of the finds. The quarantine applies to residents and commercial operations alike. These detections will also place parts of Ventura County into Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 6, which will require any commercial citrus growers to apply an additional mitigation step(s) to move fruit within or from this zone. Production and retail nurseries within the five-mile quarantine are being contacted by CDFA and will be issued a hold notice preventing the sale of nursery stock host plants. Visit CDFA’s Map and Quarantines page for more details.

    Growers in Ventura County should contact Grower Liaisons Sandra Zwaal at szwaal2@gmail.com or Cressida Silvers at cressidasb@gmail.com for additional information about these detections. In response to the HLB detections in Santa Paula, a grower meeting was held on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Stay tuned to Citrus Insider for details or reach out to the Grower Liaisons for more information.

    An HLB quarantine area currently exists in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, where more than 6,300 residential trees have tested positive for the disease and have been removed. — California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

  • 51st Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival Marks 51 Epic Years

    No matter what’s happening around us, one lovely constant remains at this time of year—the coastal communities wondrous and highly-anticipated autumn season is upon us and, on the picturesque coast around the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, it’s always stunningly spectacular. The dazzling journey is its own reward … the breathtaking views of seaside farm country dotted with vast, rolling fields of orange, scarecrows, barns and pick-your-own pumpkin patches. It’s the perfect time of year and the perfect place to celebrate the simple beauty and bounty of the fall season, and Half Moon Bay does it like nobody else. The world-famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is the season’s signature event, drawing hordes of visitors to the “World Pumpkin Capital” for an epic festival on historic Main Street. This year’s 51st annual festival will be held on October 14-15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

    Massive, mind-boggling, Volkswagen-sized weigh-off champion pumpkins on display, the mesmerizing and remarkably talented “Picasso of pumpkin carvers” sculpting and shaping monster pumpkins into one-of-a-kind masterpieces, harvest-inspired crafts by America’s top artists, the Sunday-only “Made on the Coast” Locals’ Block featuring fine art and live music, delicious seasonal food and drinks, the richest/creamiest/tastiest pumpkin pie on the planet, four stages of blockbuster entertainment, everyone’s favorite home-spun parade, the Xfinity Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, ultra-thrilling bungee jumping and waterballerz, enchanting events and contests for the whole family, selfies and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievous Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”, the never-ending search for the Great Pumpkin, and a bumper crop of 3,000+ tons of the beloved orange orb waiting to be picked from one of the many rustic pumpkin patches around town are among the extraordinary, not-to-be forgotten attractions.

    SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF KICKS THINGS OFF, OCTOBER 9: COVETED TITLE AND $30K WORLD RECORD MEGA-PRIZE AT STAKE

    The Big Week starts off with the World’s Greatest Gourd Growers and their massive orbs doing battle in the SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF, the Super Bowl of weigh-offs, on Monday, October 9 (7 a.m., on the IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, Half Moon Bay). Organizers, in association with title sponsor Safeway, will celebrate the world’s greatest gourd growers with the world’s biggest prize money pool. Using a pay-by-the-pound system, the ginormous top prize of $9/pound will be awarded to the 2023 weigh-off champion. Also at stake are thousands of dollars in super hefty prize money doled out to the top 20 plus the big carrot: a $30,000 total mega-prize for a new world record pumpkin entered at Half Moon Bay (the current world record is 2,702.8 pounds set at a 2021 weigh-off in Italy). Two-time champion Travis Gienger of Anoka MN took home the top prize and set a new North American record with his rhinoceros-sized 2,560-pound mega-gourd that obliterated a formidable field of heavyweight contenders in winning the 2022 Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Gienger and a host of accomplished veteran growers are expected to contend for the coveted title. The Goliath grand champion mega-gourd, along with the top four heaviest weigh-off pumpkins, will be displayed at the Pumpkin Festival, October 14-15.

    THE GREAT PUMPKIN PARADE

    A longtime festival favorite, the Great Pumpkin Parade (Sat. 12 noon) is the ultimate old-fashioned, home-spun parade featuring the mighty weigh-off champion pumpkin and grower, marching bands, classic cars, fantastic floats, and a Mardi Gras-style procession of costumed ghouls, gargoyles, goblins, ghosts and assorted surprises. Saturday, 12 noon on Main Street.

    FINE ART, HARVEST-INSPIRED CRAFTS

    Buyers and browsers will find thousands of handcrafted items in well-stocked booths covering several city blocks. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet 250 of America’s top artists and craft makers who will be offering their latest creations with great variety and price points to satisfy every budget. Featuring original work in sculpture, paintings, photography, glass, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, leather, wood, metal and mixed media, the festival is considered among the top art shows in the country. Hand-blown glass pumpkins, beautiful vases, flatware, clocks, dishes, wall and table decorations, paperweights, stained and beveled glass, etchings, sculptures, photography, oil and watercolor paintings, beadwork, gold and silver jewelry, vests, handbags, hats, wallets, footwear, windchimes, and waterfalls will be among the thousands of one-of-a-kind items available.

    ENTERTAINMENT EVERYWHERE

    Four stages of sensational entertainment for all ages will transform Half Moon Bay into the Bay Area’s entertainment hotspot for a weekend during the city’s monster Pumpkinpalooza. Performing on the IDES Main Stage are Terri Hiatt, Terrie Odabi, Steely Dead, Three On The Tree, Sean Carscadden, Pardon The Interruption, and Jim Stevens & Friends. The Ritz-Carlton South Stage at the Gazebo will feature Casual Coaltion, the Jacob Benning Trio, John Elliot and the Band of Supervisors, Maestro Vaughan’s Campfire Quartet, and Clay Eagle Bell. The Made on the Coast Music Stage at Mac Dutra Park features John Lester, Walter Anderson and the Half Moon Bay High School Marching Band, Midnight Flyer, David Walker & Moxoa, Michelle Lambert, and The Aguilar Blumenfeld Project. Street musician Bob Culbertson will mesmerize listeners with his 10-string acoustic Chapman Stick. The Safeway Family Stage features the amazing, three-wheeling comic explosion known as Bob at Large, House of Samba Kids, Martin & The Green Guitar, award-winning children’s singer-songwriter Megan Schoenbohm, sensational bluegrass band West Coast Ramblers, and tons of kid-friendly fun and games.

    FABULOUSLY FESTIVE FOOD

    Dig in! And, while you do, help fatten the coffers of community groups while savoring mouthwatering pumpkin-infused treats like pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake rolls, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin milkshake smoothies, chicken pumpkin sausages, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin spiced cotton candy, macaroni and cheese with pumpkin seeds and spice, chicken and pork tamales with pumpkin mole sauce, and nachos with pumpkin salsa. Then, move onto the next course with coastal favorites like Brussels sprouts steeped in a zesty marinara sauce, and artichoke hearts steamed with an aromatic blend of garlic, olive oil, and herbs. Plus traditional favorites like Portuguese linguisa, bratwurst and Italian sausage sandwiches, hot beef sandwiches, corn dogs, garlic fries, steamy clam chowder in sour dough bread bowls, hamburgers, veggie burgers, grilled corn on the cob, garlic fries, root beer floats, kettle corn, and caramel apples!

    DELECTABLY DELICIOUS CRAFT BEER, PREMIUM WINE AND CRAFT COCKTAILS

    Enjoy tasty varietals from Half Moon Bay Winery including Rosé of Dolcetto and this year’s limited-edition festival-label Monterey Red Blend, and world-class seasonal craft brews like Pumpkin Harvest Ale, refreshing Kolsch pale ale and delicious hop-happy Full Swing IPA from Half Moon Bay Brewing Company plus Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, Elysian Space Dust IPA, Stella Artois, Golden Road Mango Cart, and Big Wave Golden Ale.

    For another refreshing alternative, festivalgoers can enjoy refreshing, low-carb, gluten-free Nutrl Vodka Seltzers – watermelon and pineapple. On the spirits side, enjoy delicious craft cocktails from 10 Barrel – Classic Margaritas and Moscow Mules. Hydrate with a bottle of PathWater, 100% responsibly and locally sourced water in an aluminum reusable bottle. Sip your favorite beverage in a beautiful, collector-item wine glass or beer mug adorned with the classic festival logo.

    FARMER MIKE, THE PICASSO OF PUMPKIN CARVERS

    Farmer Mike, the “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers”, has been a top draw and the Pumpkin Festival’s official carving expert for over 35 years. On his Pumpkin Festival stage, Farmer Mike has created whimsical faces, movie characters like MEGAMIND, a Wells Fargo stage coach, Puff the Magic Dragon, and even enshrined Pigeon Point Light House into the shell of a pumpkin. The Atlantic Giant variety of pumpkins he carves range in size from 300 pounds to more than 1,500 pounds. Most of his incredible detail work is done using a folding buck knife and a variety of simple chisels. He loves to interact with his audience, providing carving tips and answering questions. Be sure to stop by to see Farmer Mike carving one of his masterpieces.

    GIANT PUMPKIN PHOTOS

    How often do you get to see and touch a staggeringly-massive, hard-to-believe, larger-than-life 1-ton pumpkin let alone get to have your photo taken alongside something so extraordinary? Thanks to the festival’s partnership with Silicon Valley Community Foundation, photos with the grand champion gourd will be available. Your awesome one-of-a-kind photo will be snapped and instantly printed for a special take-home keepsake. The cost is $20 per 4×6 print, with discounts for multiple copies or poses. All proceeds benefit the Cabrillo Education Foundation (CEF), a non-profit for the sole benefit of the students attending our seven local Coastside public schools. The photo booth is at the corner of Main and Miramontes Streets.

    COSTUME CONTEST

    Hundreds of ghosts, goblins, ghouls and more model their ingeniously creative Halloween attire in the Costume Contest, a popular time-honored festival tradition before walking in the big parade. The costume contest is open to all ages with individual and group divisions. Saturday, 10 a.m. in front of Half Moon Bay Library, at Church and Correas Streets.

    PIE-EATING CONTESTS

    Get up close and personal for this hilarious test of unbridled power-eating. Huge, gasping audiences gather to witness this stunning spectacle with each participant devouring and “wearing” a delicious 8” Safeway pumpkin pie heaped high with whipped cream. Aside from power-eating, panache and style go a long way with audience judges. “To me, the pie eating contest embodies the essence of Pumpkin Festival,” said Wilbur Collins, the spiritual and emotional leader of the contest organizing team for many years. “It encourages participation, it’s loads of fun, and it’s open to everyone. Seeing kids with face and hair full of gooey pumpkin pie, whipped cream and a big smile, it’s a truly sight to behold.” On both Saturday and Sunday, age 11 and under at 2 p.m, age 12 and over at 2:15 p.m. in the Family Fun Zone in the Bank of America parking lot, 620 Main Street.

    PUMPKIN CARVING

    Non-competitive Pumpkin Carving will be available on Sunday in the Family Fun Zone at Bank of America, 620 Main Street. It is not a contest, there’s no judging or awards … it’s simply for fun. Pumpkins and carving knives are provided. Create your very own masterpiece Sunday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

    XFINITY TAKE 5 LOUNGE

    Sports fans have a place to kick back and catch NFL and NCAA football and MLB playoff games on a giant LED screen in the Xfinity Take 5 Lounge. It’s the perfect spot to take a break. Couch potatoes and sports fans will find the comfort and enjoyment of their own living room without ever leaving the event. The Xfinity Take 5 Lounge is a place where festivalgoers can escape the teeming crowds, relax and hang out with friends while watching their favorite sporting events on a giant LED TV, a 9′ x 12′ screen with picture-perfect quality. Top that off with a tasty Pumpkin Harvest Ale, refreshing Kolsch or hoppy Full Swing IPA from Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and an Italian sausage or bratwurst sandwich with zesty marinara sauce fired up by the Coastside Adult Day Health Center and you’ve got a flat-out winner.

    ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS

    Up and down the street, festivalgoers will be captivated by an array of amazing attractions. See the spectacular display of the top 4 pumpkins from the weigh-off. Catch massive air on the ultra-thrilling bungee jump. Splish, splash, run, jump, bounce and slide around on the super fun waterballerz. Express yourself with creative body art at the High School Art Department’s face painting booth. Enter the Wilkinson School Sensory Fun Zone and play around with kinetic sand tables, a playdough station, a bead blow-up sensory pool with floating boats, express yourself chalk art zone, and spin-the-wheel game.

    “MADE ON THE COAST”, LOCAL ARTISTS BLOCK 

    The coastal area is brimming with exceptional artistic talent. “Made On The Coast” (MOTC), a group of local artists and a sub-committee of the Pumpkin Festival, returns with their popular one-day pop-up show, Sunday, October 15th. The centerpiece of the “Made on the Coast” Locals’ Block will once again be the artists’ booths, showcasing top-quality arts and crafts from local painters, photographers, potters, jewelers, fabric artists, glassblowers, furniture-makers, and more—as well as live demonstrations.

    PANCAKE BREAKFAST BOTH DAYS

    To launch your memorable day with a super-tasty carbo-load, the High School Varsity Boys Basketball Team will fire up the griddle to host the traditional Pancake Breakfast complete with unlimited buttermilk or pumpkin pancakes, gobs of butter and maple syrup, three grilled sausage links, and a choice of fresh orange juice, hot coffee or tea. Cost is $15 per person. Advance tickets are available on Eventbrite. Advance ticketholders will have their own line and less waiting time. Saturday and Sunday morning from 7 to 11 a.m. in the City Hall parking lot, Main Street at Kelly Avenue. Get Pancake Breakfast tickets in advance and skip the long line!

    PUMPKIN RUN PRESENTED BY SENIOR COASTSIDERS

    The Pumpkin Run will be held on Sunday (various starting times from 7:15-8:20 a.m.) at Hatch School (490 Miramontes Avenue). The Pumpkin Run features a Half Marathon plus a 5k, 10k, and Kid’s Fun Run, all to benefit Senior Coastsiders. The Virtual Pumpkin Run will be available from October 1-14. Pumpkin Run Info-line: 650-712-7322. Run info and registration

    THE HALF MOON BAY BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

    The Pumpkin Festival was created by the newly formed Main Street Beautification Committee in 1971 as a means for restoring historic downtown Half Moon Bay. That first year, buildings were painted, trees were planted and a legend was born. Since then, the festival has helped raise several million dollars for civic projects and community service organizations throughout the coast.

    VEHICLE PARKING

    There will be parking at the south end of Main Street at Metzgar, Half Moon Bay High School (Main St. just north of Hwy. 92), Our Lady of the Pillar Church and the Community Center/Shoreline Station complex, both located on Kelly Avenue just east of Highway 1. Many parking lots are operated by local non-profit groups who charge a nominal parking fee. There is also very limited free parking on several side streets.

    KICKSTAND BICYCLE PARKING 

    Bicycle parking is available in the Straight Wheel Cycling parking lot, at the corner of Kelly and Purissima from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Suggested donation is $5 per bicycle. Sea Hugger is managing the “Kickstand” Bicycle Parking as a fundraiser. Sea Hugger is a Half Moon Bay-based nonprofit working to protect and heal the marine environment from plastic pollution through education and action. From sponsoring monthly beach cleanups to promoting conservation laws, Sea Hugger works tirelessly to keep our beautiful ocean and Coastside clean and healthy. Special thanks to Straight Wheel Cycling and The Coastside Mountain Bikers. Get bicycle parking details

    PUBLIC TRANSIT

    Ride SamTrans bus service to the festival – you’re dropped off just steps from the festival! Get public transit details

    RIDE SHARING AND DROP OFFS

    The festival’s designated Ride Sharing and Para Transit drop-off/pick-up location is in the Shoreline Station lot at Highway 1 and Kelly Avenue.

    ACCESSIBLE PARKING

    There will be specially marked accessible parking on Purissima Street between Correas Street and Kelly Avenue.

    STREET CLOSURES

    Main Street will be closed to traffic from Mill Street south to Monte Vista Lane throughout festival weekend. Southbound Main Street will not be accessible from Highway 92 beginning at approximately 7 AM on Saturday. Main Street will re-open at approximately 10 PM on Sunday. Departing the festival, Highway 92 eastbound will not be accessible from Main Street (either from the north or the south). The only way to go eastbound on Highway 92 is from Highway 1.

    DATES/HOURS/LOCATION/DIRECTIONS

    The free-admission festival will be held on October 14-15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street between Miramontes and Spruce Streets in Half Moon Bay. To get to Half Moon Bay, take 101 or 280 to Highways 92 or 84 west. You can also get to Half Moon Bay via Highway 1 from both north and south. Get directions from your location.

  • A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats is the Motto Among Lodi Winegrowers

    Today, the Lodi Winegrape Commission unveiled a new, grower-focused video series named “A Rising Tide.” Two years in the making, the eight-part video series captures the region’s strong sense of community and the emphasis placed on shared values of unity, sustainability, heritage, innovation, and leadership.

    “Lodi is a special place,” states Lodi Winegrape Commission Executive Director Stuart Spencer. “There is the pervading sense here that a ‘win’ for one person is a ‘win’ for the entire community. More than soil or climate, what sets Lodi apart from other regions are the people and their shared sense of values. A rising tide lifts all boats truly is the motto in Lodi.”

    Organized as episodes, each video in the series highlights an individual farmer or farming family in Lodi, offering viewers a glimpse into the historical region and its agricultural community.

    San Francisco-based Rindal & Co. – the agency responsible for developing the region’s refreshed branding in 2020 – was hired for creative direction. President and Creative Director Eric Rindal says he is inspired by Lodi’s farming community. “The people are down to earth, approachable, humble, charming, and fun. It’s refreshing to see these people pull together for the betterment of the region,” he says.

    To produce the series, Rindal sought the talent of experienced writer Dave O’Hare and editorial photographer and director Mitch Tobias. Responsible for teasing out episode narratives, O’Hare described his process: “Everything is a story. And in the case of these videos, my job was to simply be patient long enough for the story to reveal itself.”

    Similarly, when asked about his approach to filming, Tobias laughs, “I stayed out of the way to allow authenticity to shine through!” Tobias spent 13 days in Lodi over the course of several months to capture footage for the series.

    “A lot of time and energy have gone into these videos,” says Spencer. “We’ve scrutinized every detail over the past two years. We’re excited to finally be able to share these with the world.”

    Over the coming year, the videos will be promoted across digital and social media platforms through various publication and community partnerships.

    To watch the series, use the included links or visit lodiwine.com/videos.

    A Rising Tide Video Series, Episodes 1-8

    Episode 1, My Father, the Mother of Invention, featuring Bruce Fry and Jerry Fry (Mohr-Fry Ranches): If there’s a consistency to be found among Lodi growers, it’s that knowledge and a love for the land gets passed down from one generation to the next. It’s the way work gets done, harvest after harvest. It’s how an old Model A duster still stands (and runs) on the Mohr-Fry ranch, serving as a powerful reminder that a farmer is, among many things, resourceful.

    Episode 2, El Homenaje (The Honoring), featuring Gerardo Espinosa, Victor Anaya, and Gerardo Anaya (Anaya Vineyards): Heritage is everything to winemaker Gerardo Espinosa. His story begins with his grandfather who – in the 1940s – came to Lodi from Mexico as part of the Bracero program. Today, Gerardo works alongside his family, including his two uncles – wine growers Victor and Gerardo – to create a sense of heritage in every bottle.

    Episode 3, Eastside / Westside, featuring Larry Mettler, Kim Mettler-Eells, and Jason Eells (Mettler Family Vineyards), and John Shinn and Bill Shinn (Shinn & Son Vineyard Management): Between the eastside Mettlers and the westside Shinns, there’s a generational family thing happening here and it starts with a land deed signed by President Ulysses S. Grant. How important is it to keep tradition alive and the love of farming all in the family?

    Episode 4, Made on the Vine, featuring Tom Hoffman (Heritage Oak Winery): Good wine isn’t made, it’s grown; at least to Tom Hoffman’s way of thinking – a way learned from Lodi-born Robert Mondavi who spurred premiumization in the region. Ever since Tom made the leap from teacher to grower and winemaker, he’s focused first on farming, knowing full well that the quality in the vineyard will translate to quality in the bottle – each one hand-corked and served with pride.
    Episode 5, Hello, Plan B, featuring Ben Kolber and Madelyn Kolber (KG Vineyard Management): Ben Kolber was going to be a musician. But like a lot of plans, life has a way of changing them. As life would have it, Ben found Madelyn. Together with business partner Kris Gutierrez, Ben and Madelyn found themselves setting the tempo for a successful farm management company. Today, KG Vineyard Management helps farmers, friends, and family harvest after harvest, proving that sometimes Plan B is the dream come true after all.
    Episode 6, Family is Forever, featuring John Ledbetter, Kim Ledbetter-Bronson, and Craig Ledbetter (Vino Farms): Will Rogers once said, “A farmer has to be an optimist, or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” Throw in a layer of pragmatism and you’ve got the Ledbetters. It’s taken some soul-searching and succession planning but now that multiple generations of Ledbetters are committed to the success of the family business, it’s full steam ahead into the future of farming with solar, autonomous tractors, and more. Welcome to next-gen farming.

    Episode 7, The Gnarly Brothers, featuring Jeff Perlegos and John Perlegos (Perlegos Family Wine Co.): As boys growing up, Jeff and John Perlegos were inseparable; they fought, laughed, played hoops, and dreamed about their futures. They also dreamed about leaving Lodi and farming and not returning. So, it came as a bit of a surprise when both brothers decided to return to Lodi to farm. Together. What they discovered was a shared love of old vines and a passion to preserve history.

    Episode 8, Everything Old is New Again, featuring Jeremy Trettevik (Jeremy Wine Co.): In the middle of an old vine vineyard sits a modern winery. For grower and winemaker Jeremy Trettevik, ushering in a new generation of wine drinkers takes a keen understanding of their taste preferences, as well as their social habits. The irony is he’s accomplishing both using vines planted over a century ago to serve up modern wines and an innovative experience.

    About the Lodi Winegrape Commission 

    Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission represents the common interests of Lodi winegrowers with programs in marketing, education, research, and sustainable viticulture. The Commission collectively and effectively promotes Lodi’s vibrant, multi-generational farming community and California’s most dynamic wine region. Comprised of nine commissioners and nine alternates, the board of directors provides direction and input on behalf of the region’s 750 winegrowers. For more information about the Lodi Winegrape Commission, visit lodigrowers.com. For information on the Lodi appellation, visit lodiwine.com.

    About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA)

    A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate more than 125 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.

    Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. Today, there are nearly 70,000 acres certified throughout California, in Washington, and Israel. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org.

  • $328 Million Available for Drought and Climate Resiliency Projects with Focus on the West

    The Department of the Interior recently announced up to $328 million in funding opportunities available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, to help communities address impacts of climate change through water recycling, water storage and desalination projects. The funds come primarily from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s WaterSMART and Small Storage programs, as well as through annual appropriations, and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act.

    President Biden’s Investing in America agenda represents the largest investment in climate resilience in the nation’s history and is providing much-needed resources to enhance Western communities’ resilience to drought and climate change, including protecting the short- and long-term sustainability of the Colorado River System. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Reclamation is investing a total of $8.3 billion over five years for water infrastructure projects, including water purification and reuse, water storage and conveyance, desalination and dam safety. The Inflation Reduction Act is investing an additional $4.6 billion to address the historic drought.

    “In the wake of severe drought conditions throughout the West, the Department is bringing every tool and resource to bear — including significant investments through President Biden’s Investing America agenda — to help build community resilience to drought and climate change for generations to come,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through today’s funding, we are partnering with local communities to advance innovative solutions for water conservation and expand local water storage supplies.”

    “Through these historic investments in climate resilience, Reclamation is offering a variety of opportunities to assist communities and irrigation districts in fully utilizing their current water supplies and tapping into potential new supplies,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “As we work with our stakeholders to address impacts of climate change, these projects will diversify water portfolios and help provide flexibility.”

    Reclamation is implementing an overall $1 billion investment for WaterSMART grants and $100 million for Small Storage Program grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide financial assistance to water managers to help conserve and use water more efficiently, implement renewable energy projects, investigate and develop water marketing strategies, mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict, and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the Western United States.

    These programs also advance the Justice40 Initiative, part of the Biden administration’s historic commitment to environmental justice, which aims to ensure 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that have been marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    As part of the announcement, Reclamation is opening three funding opportunities for water recycling and reuse, desalination construction and small water storage projects:

    Water Recycling Projects

    Through Reclamation’s Title XVI Program, a total of $239 million is available for water reclamation and reuse projects. Reclamation will provide financial assistance to local water agencies for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. Water recycling is an important tool used to stretch limited water supplies.

    Desalination Construction Projects

    Reclamation is making up to $64 million available for desalination construction projects. Desalination projects develop and supplement municipal and irrigation water supplies through the treatment of ocean or brackish water, thereby providing a local supply, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply. These projects provide growing communities with new sources of clean water and increase water management flexibility, making water supplies more reliable.

    Small Water Storage Projects

    Reclamation is making up to $25 million available for small surface water and groundwater storage projects in the 17 Western states, Hawaii and Alaska. Surface water and groundwater storage projects are essential tools in stretching the limited water supplies caused by a changing climate. Funding is available for projects with a water storage capacity between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet that increase surface water or groundwater storage.

    Information on these funding opportunities is available at grants.gov or Reclamation’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law webpage.

    About the U.S. Department of the Interior

    The Department of the Interior (DOI) conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper.

  • October USDA Lending Rates for Ag Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for October 2023, effective Oct. 2, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans

    FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. FSA also offers emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine.  For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

    Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for October 2023 are as follows:

    FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.

    To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

    Commodity and Storage Facility Loans

    Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

    Simplified Direct Loan Application

    FSA developed a new, simplified direct loan application for producers seeking a direct farm loan. The new application, reduced from 29 to 13 pages, provides improved customer experience for producers applying for loans and enables them to complete a more streamlined application. Producers now also have the option to complete an electronic fillable form or a traditional paper application for submission to their local FSA service center.

    Disaster Support

    FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the past year’s winter storms, drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared to deliver a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster recovery options.

    Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Producers

    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for the agricultural communities, provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain FSA direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. Since October 2022, USDA has provided approximately $1.5 billion in immediate assistance to more than 24,000 financially distressed direct and guaranteed FSA loan borrowers.

    FSA recently announced additional automatic assistance to guaranteed borrowers in August 2023.

    FSA is also accepting and reviewing individual requests for assistance from borrowers who took certain extraordinary measures to avoid delinquency on their direct FSA loans or those who missed a recent installment or who are unable to make their next scheduled installment.

    For more information, or to submit a request for assistance, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.

    More Information

    To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other fam records data and customer information by logging in their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.