TOPP

Two Oʻahu Farmers Share Wins & Challenges Accessing CSP Support

Written by Mary Elizabeth Kidd, OFRF Communications Associate

OFRF is currently working to increase farmer and community awareness of the federal funding opportunities available to organic and transitioning farms. 

As part of our work with the West region of the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), we’re spotlighting two Hawaiʻi farms—Maigee Chang of Farm of the Fearless Monkey and Timothy Clark of Sunshine Farm Foundation—that received funding and support through the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

Their story offers a transparent look at what it’s really like to work with NRCS: the benefits, the obstacles, and the lessons they’ve learned. We hope other farmers can use their experience to navigate the process of applying for and implementing CSP contracts more easily.

Meet Maigee Chang of Farm of the Fearless Monkey

Farmer Maigee Chang smiling at her farm.Source: Terri Dux, NRCS

Location: Kailua, Hawaiʻi (island of Oʻahu, Honolulu County)

Established: 2017

Acres: 2.25

Production: Okra, eggplant, pumpkin, ginger, turmeric, roselle/hibiscus, and perennials: ulu, dragonfruit, papaya, citrus, cacao, lilikoi, and jackfruit

Certification: Uses organic practices

Staffing: 2 volunteers (in exchange for living quarters)

Markets: CSA, a local organic grocery store, restaurants, and Facebook Marketplace; ulu is sold to a chip company

Social media: Instagram

Read more: Growing Organic at the Farm of the Fearless Monkey from the USDA’s Farmers.gov blog.

Meet Timothy Clark of Sunshine Farm Foundation

Farmer Timothy Clark and his family on a motorized cart transporting sugar cane.Source: Sunshine Farm Foundation

Location: Mokulēʻia, Hawaiʻi (island of Oʻahu, Honolulu County)

Established: 2020

Acres: 15

Production: Mangoes, bananas, ulu, citrus, avocados, plus grazing animals including sheep, pigs, goats

Certification: Uses organic practices, not yet certified

Markets: Bananas are marketed through a neighboring farmer’s CSA

Social media: Facebook

About the Farmers

Maigee Chang (Farm of the Fearless Monkey) has lived in Hawaiʻi for over 30 years and came into her farming career after working at the intersection of local politics and agriculture, where she met farmers and attended farming workshops.

As her passion for farming grew, she found the land that would become Farm of the Fearless Monkey and set about getting the training and support she needed.

Maigee began her journey through the University of Hawaiʻi’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources program: GoFarm Hawaiʻi, where she connected with farmers, mentors, and Extension agents, and continued to strategically plug into support systems.

A dirt road with two fences on either side, showing the entrance to Sunshine Farm Foundation.Source: Sunshine Farm Foundation

The entrance to Sunshine Farm Foundation.

Timothy Clark (Sunshine Farm Foundation) was born and raised in Florida and moved to Oʻahu in 2012, where he started farmwork via permaculture and permablitz projects, working in community and volunteering to plant food and forestry yardscapes in Hawaiʻi.

In 2020, he and his partners acquired the 15-acre land site, which they continue to develop to provide education and, eventually, food for those experiencing hunger. Their first farm, established in 2018, focused on education and permaculture practices.

Their current property is structured as a tenants-in-common ownership model with 27 farming plots and the goal of one day becoming an organic farming zone. Working with CSP has represented a supportive bridge in the journey towards wider production and becoming USDA-certified organic.

We recently spoke to Maigee and Tim about their experience as organic farmers navigating NCRS support systems. Below, we’re sharing the conversation and their valuable insight.

Why Organic?

Maigee (Farm of the Fearless Monkey): I don’t like spraying, and I don’t want any of that near my workers or me. Also, chemicals are very expensive.

I trained with OMRI-approved products; I’m comfortable using those, and they’re a lot simpler. I mainly use soap, neem, and BT (Bacillus thuringiensis, organic pest control); if something’s awry, I pull the plant and toss it. We do a lot of crop rotations and companion planting, and I’ve seen the effect of that. With mulching and healthy soil, my plants are stronger.

Tim (Sunshine Farm Foundation): Growing up, my father was a medical doctor who later moved into alternative medicine, focusing on supporting patients who had cancers with organic diets and homeopathic treatments. We always ate organic foods. When I started farming, I didn’t think that there was another way.

And working with the permaculture crew and kind of learning that methodology, and getting into agroforestry, you know, it was never a question of whether or not to use organic treatments for pests or fertilization.

We try to use permaculture and agroforestry designs that make pest management easier, such as attracting beneficial insects and utilizing native plants. This is where NRCS has been helpful.

Context & Challenges

Perennial peanut cover crop growing on a hillside. Source: Farm of the Fearless Monkey

Perennial peanut cover cropping at Farm of the Fearless Monkey.

Maigee (Farm of the Fearless Monkey): The constant pest is the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), so we’re trying to address that using various techniques. We do netting around the crown of the tree, we keep our mulch piles covered and rotate them at least every two months, and send the chickens in to scratch through.

We’re in a spot that hasn’t been hit too hard by the recent flooding; the water flows off of our area. Those storms came when we were doing cover crop, which helped the cover crop, and we didn’t lose anything. The vetiver (cover crop) is great and stopped everything from a massive flow.

Tim (Sunshine Farm Foundation): We had about 100 coconut trees wiped out by the coconut rhinoceros beetle. So we’re doing a pilot program to see if we can control the beetle with about 60 dwarf coconuts in high tunnels with netting (supported by EQIP).

We had about three or four storms this spring (2026), which caused a lot of damage to our property. That said, we’re in a drought area on the island, and water supply and power are a concern.

Our main focus is planting drought-tolerant crops. Water can go out for several days when they’re fixing lines, so we’ve signed up for a backup storage and water-pump program through NRCS.

Working with NRCS

Application Process

Mulched beds in a hoop house. Source: Farm of the Fearless Monkey

EQIP-funded hoop house with mulching at Farm of the Fearless Monkey.

Maigee (Farm of the Fearless Monkey): From working with the agriculture committee and then as secretary of the Waimānalo chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union, I was familiar with NRCS representatives. I got a hoop house through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and then we started working on a conservation plan.

Getting through the CSP application process was straightforward. I knew what I wanted to do, it was covered by the program, and my CSP agent walked me through everything. It’s been a smooth process; she sends me documents and deadline reminders, so it feels manageable.

Tim (Sunshine Farm Foundation): I found CSP through research and initially found it difficult to navigate until I connected with the first in a series of very helpful representatives who helped me begin a windbreak program and subsequent plans. You have to persevere. Our first contract phase was three years ago; now we’re in the second year of our second contract.

Implementation

A row of banana trees and shrubs with fencing.Source: Sunshine Farm Foundation

A row of banana trees and shrubs serves as a windbreak to protect crops at Sunshine Farm Foundation.

Maigee (Farm of the Fearless Monkey): We’re doing mulching and cover cropping and crop rotation, paid in bulk at the end of every year. For mulching, it was a five-year contract; payment started at $2,000 a year, then jumped to $4,000. Cover cropping started as a three-year contract, which has been renewed. The reimbursements mainly help cover labor costs for practices I’d do anyway.

Tim (Sunshine Farm Foundation): Our CSP contract includes $6,000 per year for five years ($4,000 cropland and $2,000 homestead), and practices include perennial cover crop (Bermuda grass) and establishing a native forestry zone.

We’re getting compost reimbursements (paying only for the delivery charges), and we have a contract to mulch over our orchard. It’s been great. And I was able to get a tree trimmer as well.

Outcomes & Challenges

Mulched rows of tropical crops. Source: Farm of the Fearless Monkey

Mulching and labor was covered by CSP contract at Farm of the Fearless Monkey.

Maigee (Farm of the Fearless Monkey): My soil is amazing right now. The plants are really happy. Mulching has reduced water use, and soil testing showed a pH shift from acidic to alkaline, which changed my fertilizer approach.

One big challenge is soil testing, not just getting the tests, but shipping them to the mainland (Oregon) in refrigerated/cooler boxes within 24 hours, and the airport where we ship them from is almost an hour away. If we could do that locally, it would save a lot of hassle.

Tim (Sunshine Farm Foundation): We get support from everyone at NRCS, they’re great! They’ve really helped us navigate programs.

I am in a predicament, however, because when they came out to inspect, even though I had the animals and I had the orchard, we were categorized as orchard-only, meaning I can’t transition to my original plan of getting the animal management care, such as internal grazing fencing.

So we missed something there and can’t go back or risk losing the program and having to reapply. So we’ll complete the contract as is and then apply for this longer-term plan.

Advice to Farmers

Maigee (Farm of the Fearless Monkey): If farmers are considering applying for CSP, you should totally do it. One, because it’s good practice. And two, it’s a good program. For a farm of my size, it wasn’t that complicated.

Tim (Sunshine Farm Foundation): When you’re preparing the paperwork, be sure to think long term. Consider the next five years and what may need to be a part of your application.

I also recommend applying with as comprehensive a plan as possible, including multiple conservation practices, to potentially give your application a higher ranking and likelihood of success.

And don’t forget outreach to other farmers, we have to share what programs we’re benefiting from.

Next Steps & Resources

Interested in transitioning your farm for organic certification in the West/Southwest or beyond? Explore these key resources and connect with mentors, certifiers, and Technical Support Providers (TSP) near you.

Locating Support Providers and Mentors:

Organic Farming Research Foundation resources:

USDA resources:

Connect with OFRF:

By |2026-08-06T14:13:04-04:00July 29th, 2026|Farmer Stories, Insects & Diseases, News, On-Farm Research, TOPP West|
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How One Kona Farm Made Federal Funding Work for Organic Agriculture

Written by Mary Elizabeth Kidd, OFRF Communications Associate

OFRF is currently working to increase farmer and community awareness of the federal funding opportunities available to organic and transitioning farms. As part of our work with the West region of the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), we’re spotlighting the experience of one farm—Makili Farm in Kealakekua, Hawaiʻi—that received funding and support through the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

Their story offers a transparent look at what it’s really like to work with NRCS: the benefits, the obstacles, and the lessons they’ve learned. We hope other farmers can use their experience to navigate the process of applying for and implementing CSP contracts more easily.

Meet Kathy Vass of Makili Farm

Farmers Kathy Vass, holding a chicken, and Rob Vass, holding a shovelSource: Makili Farm, Credit: John Vass

Location: Kealakekua, Hawaiʻi (west coast of Hawaiʻi Island)

Established: 2013

Acres: 5.8

Production: Coffee, macadamia nuts, cacao, citrus, vanilla, vegetables, tropical fruit, and pineapples

Certification: USDA Certified Organic since 2017

Staffing: Two part-time team members, plus seasonal staff (macadamia harvest)

Markets: Wholesale (grocery stores and local distributors)

Context & Challenges

Coffee flowers.Source: Makili Farm

Coffee flowers in bloom.

OFRF team members recently spoke to Kathy Vass, owner and primary farmer at Makili Farm, sitting on almost 6 acres at an elevation of 1,500 feet on the west coast of Hawaiʻi Island.

She shared a realistic and dedicated vision of organic farming on Hawaiʻi Island, where approximately 85% of food is imported, operational costs are high, and pest and environmental pressures are tremendous. Seasonal cyclones and recent earthquakes bring even more obstacles.

Her commitment to provide organic, locally-produced food for her community is palpable and powerful: “We’re all struggling financially. I know very few farms that aren’t. We’re providing enough income to live on. But the ones I know who are succeeding are organic.”

Kathy has been working in the soil for over 55 years, from her previous career as a landscape contractor in Long Island, New York, to her 13 years of farming at Makili Farm.

Kathy notes that in the last 5-10 years, pests and invasive weeds have surged. The avocado lace bug and the coffee berry borer, in addition to nematodes, continue to wreak particular damage to her key crops; coffee leaf rust has also led to crop loss.

>> Read more: Kathy and five other farms participated in a 2021 OFRF research grant exploring Organic Farming Systems Options for Controlling Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) in Kona Coffee.

The impact of these pests and diseases is the primary reason Kathy sought support from programs like the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The knowledge and financial support they provide have been a lifeline for her business.

Why Organic?

Vanilla bean orchid. Source: Makili Farm

Vanilla bean orchid.

“I have always, for 55 years, done nothing but organic methods.”

Despite so many challenges, Kathy’s commitment to organic practices remains unshaken. She continues, “organic farming is, whether certified or not, so important for the health of our soil, our water, and our air. It’s just so important to me to have healthy food from healthy soil.”

The higher market value for organic products was also appealing; organic coffee cherries get $1 more per pound than conventional ones.

That said, each year Kathy questions her desire to remain certified. “It feels like a burden,” she shared, “Every year when it’s time for me to start doing the paperwork, I weigh whether I really want to keep doing the certification. I would always continue to be organic, regardless of whether I’m certified or not. I’m not sure that the price difference makes a big difference.”

Accessing Support through NRCS CSP

Plants growing in raised beds inside a hoop house. Source: Makili Farm

EQIP-supported hoop house.

Kathy’s daughter-in-law, also a local farmer, suggested Kathy contact Laura Nelson, who leads the Kealakekua Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

Kathy first worked with Laura to secure Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) reimbursement for approximately half the cost of a 20-foot-by-72-foot hoophouse, enabling her to increase production.

Laura then encouraged and supported Kathy through the CSP application process. While Kathy was initially apprehensive of another paperwork-laden application process, her existing documentation for organic certification was already comprehensive and helped expedite the CSP application.

Kathy then worked with Laura to develop goals and objectives for a 5-year contract, which reimburses her $5,000 per year to support her conservation efforts.

CSP Goals & Learnings

Together, Kathy and Laura honed in on two goals for the 5-year CSP contract:

  1. Enhance agroforestry with additional trees and shrubs (primarily fruit-bearing).
  2. Continue ongoing organic pest control practices on the farm.
Various trees, including bananas, planted on a farm. Source: Makili Farm

Agroforestry in motion.

In her first year, she successfully planted cacao, bananas, breadfruit, and cherimoya, expanding her market offerings.

She’s now in the fourth year of her five-year contract and continuing the focus on pest management. A few recent tasks supported by her CSP contract: planting 600 new coffee trees, mulching them, and planting a nitrogen-fixing ground cover, perennial peanut.

While much of her work remains the same—tenacious, focused, and curious—the financial and community support help her stay the course and represent her primary CSP wins. “Having those connections with other farmers has been good…really, really good.”

After her current contract winds down, Kathy is considering another CSP offering focused on native plants. She heavily cites the expertise and accessibility of her NRCS agent, Laura Nelson, as a success-driving factor in her experience with CSP.

Advice to Farmers

“Persevere,” Kathy shared without hesitation. She urges farmers to explore as many USDA and other avenues of financial support as possible, never shying away from doggedly advocating for what they need with USDA agents and representatives. She also recommends plugging into the local farming community, including other farmers, your local Extension, and farmers’ unions.

“Find out what’s available, ask questions, and hang in there.”

Ready to Apply? Here Are a Few Helpful Resources

If you’re a farmer considering applying for CSP or other NRCS programs, here are some helpful tools to get started:

Additional Resources & Reading

By |2026-08-06T14:10:49-04:00July 17th, 2026|Farmer Stories, Insects & Diseases, News, On-Farm Research, TOPP West|
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Think Like a Certifier, Lean on a Mentor: Support and Resources for the Organic Certification Journey

Written by Mary Elizabeth Kidd, OFRF Communications Associate

As the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) team continues its work facilitating the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) to strengthen organic farming communities and encourage farmers to transition their farming systems for organic certification, we’re hosting Seeds of Success virtual networking sessions across the country. 

The goal of these sessions is to give regional farmers a platform to share knowledge and ask questions on the organic certification process.

OFRF recently hosted an Organic 101 Seeds of Success for the Northwest region. The first half of the webinar was geared toward extension agents and technical service providers (TSPs), and the second half featured a farmer-led panel discussion. The call began with OFRF team members sharing what those without organic expertise need to know: the basics of organic, the National Organic Program (NOP) standards, and compliance basics.

The three farmer-panelists for this call were April Thatcher of April Joy Farm in Washington, Diane Green of Greentree Naturals in Idaho (a Northwest TOPP mentor), and Beth Hoinacki of Goodfoot Farm in Oregon, whose current role as an organic farmer and past role as an organic certifier brought well-rounded expertise on navigating the certification process. 

These farmers hold over 80 years of collective experience and expertise in organic farming and certification, and the message they shared was unanimous: you simply cannot do it alone.

When it comes to the rigorous process of organic certification, it’s essential to: 1) lean on other organic farmers, mentors, and TSPs, and 2) you must know your WHY for organic farming and become an expert on your farm’s organic systems and the certification process.

Read on as we share key takeaways from the panel discussion. To listen or watch the session, click here (the farmer panel begins around minute 39:15).

Meet the Farmers

Beth Hoinacki of Goodfoot Farm standing in a path between blooming fieldsSource: Odeani Baker, Courtesy of Oregon Tilth

Beth Hoinacki of Goodfoot Farm

Where: Philomath, Oregon (Benton County)

Established: late 1990s

Certification: Demeter Certified Biodynamic® since 2012, previously Oregon Tilth Certified Organic

Acres: 5 

Markets: Farmers’ markets, CSA, restaurants

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram

Read more: Goodfoot Farm: Conservation Champion from Oregon Tilth 

April Jones Thatcher of April Joy Farm kneeling in a field on her farmSource: April Joy Farm

April Jones Thatcher of April Joy Farm

Location: near Ridgefield, Washington (Clark County)

Established: 2006

Certification: Washington State Department of Agriculture Certified Organic since 2007

Acres: 24

Markets: Farmers’ markets, CSA, restaurants

Read more: Working with NRCS: April Joy Farm’s Story and Recommendations

Diane Green of Greentree Naturals Farm standing in her main garden with a bouquet of flowersSource: Greentree Naturals

Diane Green of Greentree Naturals Farm

Location: Sandpoint, Idaho (Bonner County)

Established: 1990

Certification: USDA Certified Organic for over 30 years

Acres: 1

Markets: Weekly on-site farm stand

Social Media: Facebook

Read more: Farmer Stories: Diane and Greentree Naturals

Why Organic?

April Jones Thatcher (April Joy Farm): It made a lot of sense to think about the farm as a living and biological system. Then, if I put my business hat on, it really was market differentiation for us, since there were very few certified organic farms in my county. 

And personally, there was a lot of joy to farm in a way that didn’t require me to handle toxic pesticides, to really get my hands in the living soil.

Diane Green (Greentree Naturals Farm): Organic is the only way I’ve ever grown. I started growing an organic garden in 1970. So, for me, it’s making the commitment to support organic certification; it was just a natural thing as far as motivation, to hold true to the integrity of what organic certification stands for. 

We have new customers and longtime customers who have been with us for 25 years and are frequently saying, “Thank you for being certified organic.” That keeps us growing, and we’ll keep going with that.

Beth Hoinacki (Goodfoot Farm): We’ve been on our farm for 30 years. We were first certified organic in 2009 and then certified biodynamic in 2012. I’ve worked on organic farms for most of my life and actually worked in certification before I started my own farm, so that was super helpful in the certification process and has also just helped with our general farming approach.

Think Like a Certifier: Record-Keeping = Business Planning

Beth (Goodfoot Farm): [As a former organic and biodynamic certifier], I knew a lot about certification before I got into it so nothing surprised me.

One of the most challenging aspects of engaging in certification is that the National Organic Program (NOP) standard is essentially one-size-fits-all. So you need to understand how the standard works and what parts are more challenging for your size farm. Small or large, organic farms are subject to the same kind of regulatory and recordkeeping requirements.

Diane (Greentree Naturals Farm): The paperwork is extensive and when I’m mentoring farmers who are transitioning to become organic, I’m helping them understand the expected documentation and how partnering that with your business plan can help you manage your business in a much more holistic way—looking at the big picture and fine-tuning it to meet all the documentation that’s required. 

It makes a big difference if you’ve got a mentor or a partner helping walk you through that process.

April (April Joy Farm): Understanding the language, documentation, and the steps of what an organic system plan entails can be daunting unless you have an adviser, a mentor, or somebody who’s been through it who can really help translate some of that jargon. 

As a small business owner, there’s a lot of information being asked of you, so you want to make sure you understand how it’s going to be used. You want to be honest and represent your operation realistically and you want to make sure you get a sense of how this information gets tracked.

>> Read more: Explore the first in our Seeds of Success series in From Conventional to Certified, where Lynn Schaal of Life Springs Farm in Twin Falls, Idaho, shared a record-keeping hack that kept his inspections less stressful. (Spoiler: Lynn digitally scans ALL applications, receipts, and documentation using an app like Genius Scan.)

Find Support: People & Resources

Beth (Goodfoot Farm): Other farmers are your number one source. Especially local grower networks. I can’t emphasize it enough. And I would also say our university extension agents, because they’re involved with local growers and networks, so they have really relevant information. 

And thirdly, I would say some of the other technical service providers (NRCS, for example), but I think you need to be careful. I had the experience early on of TSPs that were promoting hot new sustainable practices that didn’t really work for me. When you enter into these relationships, have the information that’s really relevant to your operation.

April (April Joy Farm): I would add that certifying agencies have been helpful too, in my experience–shout out to the Washington State Department of Ag–they have been a great resource and have a lot of expertise. They obviously can’t provide you with recommendations, but certifiers can help you understand the documents and recordkeeping that’s required.

It really is about that network.

Diane (Greentree Naturals Farm): I’m forever grateful to have established relationships and partnerships with the University of Idaho extension in the very beginning, around 1997, when we worked together to develop the first sustainable, small-acreage farming organization in the Inland Northwest. That was the farmers working side-by-side with extension to come up with what that would look like. It was always the farmers working with extension to look at what we need and what’s there. 

Personally, I think empowering the next generation of sustainable and certified organic growers is the best thing we have to offer, and I’ll keep doing it for as long as I’m able. 

We farmers want to learn from farmers, and we need to do what we can to promote partnerships with extension to be allies that serve our communities very well.

Next Steps & Resources

Interested in transitioning your farm for organic certification in the Northwest or beyond? 

Explore these key resources and connect with mentors, certifiers, and Technical Support Providers (TSP) near you.

Locating Support Providers and Mentors:

Organic Farming Research Foundation resources:

USDA resources:

Connect with OFRF:

By |2026-07-06T14:51:17-04:00July 6th, 2026|Certification & Compliance, Farmer Stories, News|
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Financial Options for Your Farm: Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loans

Versión en español a continuación.

Access to affordable financing is one of the biggest barriers organic and transitioning farmers face. Whether you’re looking to buy land, cover certification costs, or simply keep your operation running through a tough season, knowing where to turn for capital can make all the difference. 

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers a range of low-interest loan programs designed for farmers like you and can help you secure better rates through a commercial lender. Unfortunately, many of these programs go underutilized simply because farmers don’t know they exist. Let’s fix that. If you’re just starting out or looking to grow your farm, there’s likely an FSA loan designed for your situation.

Which FSA loan is right for me? 

The FSA offers various loan types tailored to specific farming operations, circumstances, and experiences. Read through the list below to find an FSA loan that best suits your needs. You can also use FSA’s free Loan Assistance Tool. 

Operating Loans.

Short-term financing for the everyday costs of starting, maintaining, and strengthening a farm or ranch.

  • Uses: Purchasing essential items like livestock, poultry, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance, and other operating expenses; Covering costs related to minor improvements, family living expenses, and refinancing certain debts; Covering certification costs, approved organic inputs, and the cash flow gaps during the transition period for USDA-certified or transitioning organic producers. 
  • Can be issued directly from FSA, or FSA can guarantee a loan from a commercial lender for a larger line of credit.
    • Maximum loan amount: $400,000.

Farm Ownership Loans.

Long-term financing to buy, expand, or improve a farm or ranch.

  • Uses: Regular loans, joint financing, or down payment options for purchasing land, essential farm improvements, or soil and water conservation and protection.
  • Can be issued directly from FSA, or FSA can guarantee a loan from a commercial lender for a larger line of credit.
    • Maximum loan amount: $600,000 ($300,150 for Beginning Farmer Down Payment).

Climate-Smart Agriculture Farm Loans.

Financing specifically for organic-aligned practices and equipment that reduce environmental impact. Site under review as of 5/20/2025.

  • Uses: Investing in climate-smart practices and equipment, like the establishment of rotational grazing systems, precision agriculture equipment, or machinery for conversion to no-till residue management.
  • Can be issued directly from FSA, or FSA can guarantee a loan from a commercial lender for a larger line of credit. Loan amounts:
    • Direct Farm Ownership Loans: Up to $600,000.
    • Direct Operating Loans: Up to $400,000.
    • Guaranteed Loans: Up to $1,825,000.
    • Microloans: Up to $50,000. 

Emergency Loans.

Loans to aid farmers who have been impacted by a federally declared natural disaster or national emergency.

  • Uses: Restoring/replacing property, reorganizing a family farm; Refinancing non-real estate debts; Assisting with production costs or family living expenses.
  • Direct loans through FSA.
    • Maximum loan amount: $500,000, but the amount a loan applicant may receive is limited to the actual production or physical loss caused by the disaster.

Youth Loans.

Small loans for young people (14–20 years old) for projects in connection with 4-H clubs, FFA, Tribal youth groups, or similar agricultural youth organizations. 

  • Uses: Purchasing livestock, seed, equipment, supplies, or paying operating expenses for the project.
  • Maximum loan amount: $10,000

Operating and Farm Ownership Loans for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.

Loans with more favorable terms specifically for farmers new to the industry. To see if you qualify as a beginner farmer or rancher, read the definition here. 

Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment Loan

  • Uses: Covering a down payment on a farm for beginning farmers who can’t finance the full purchase alone.
  • Can be issued directly from FSA, or FSA can guarantee a loan from a commercial lender for a larger line of credit.
    • Maximum Loan Amount for a “regular” Direct Farm Ownership loan: $600,000. 
    • Maximum Loan Amount for a Joint Financing or Participation Farm Ownership: $600,000.
    • Maximum Loan Amount for a Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment loan amount works differently. The maximum loan amount under this loan program will not exceed 45 percent of whichever is the lesser amount of:
      • the purchase price;
      • the appraised value of the farm being purchased; or
      • $667,000.

Indian Land Acquisition Program.

For federally recognized Indigenous farmers and tribal members looking to purchase land within their reservation boundaries for agricultural use. 

  • Maximum Loan Amount: No specified maximum loan amount; the amount is based on the tribe’s financial needs and repayment ability.

Highly Fractionated Indian Land Loan Program (HFIL).

For tribal members and entities looking to purchase or consolidate reservation land for agricultural use. 

  • Uses: Purchasing fractionated land with the intention to reduce fragmentation and promote more effective land management, agricultural productivity, and economic development within tribal areas.
  • Maximum Loan Amount: $500,000 per applicant.

Microloans.

Microloans are for small, beginning farmers, niche, and non-traditional farm operations that may not qualify for or need a full FSA loan. There are two types of microloans: 

    • Uses: Essential tools; Fencing and trellising; Hoop houses; Bees and bee equipment; Milking and pasteurization equipment; Maple sugar shack and processing equipment; Livestock, seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, family living expenses, and other materials essential to the operation; Irrigation; GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), GHP (Good Handling Practices), and Organic certification costs; Marketing and distribution costs, including those associated with selling through Farmers’ Markets and Community Supported Agriculture operations; Pay for qualifying OSHA compliance standards (Federal or State)
    • Maximum Loan Amount: Operating Microloans provide up to $50,000 per loan.
    • Uses: Making a down payment on a farm; Building, repairing, or improving farm buildings, service buildings, farm dwellings; soil and water conservation projects. May also be used as a Downpayment Farm Ownership Loan or in Joint Financing.
    • Maximum Loan Amount $50,000, which includes any possible outstanding FSA Direct Operating or Farm Ownership unpaid principal loan balances. A loan applicant may have a Guaranteed Operating loan, Farm Ownership loan or Emergency loan and still qualify for a Microloan.

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF below, available in English and Spanish.

How to Apply for an FSA Loan

Step 1. Find your local FSA office.

All FSA loans, whether direct or guaranteed, are processed through your local FSA county office. Find your local office here.

Step 2. Schedule a meeting.

Call or visit your local office to discuss which loan types fit your situation. Bring any records you have about your farm operation, finances, and land. 

Here are some questions to consider: 

  • I’m interested in [loan type]. What do I need to bring to get started on an application?
  • Am I eligible for any loans with more favorable terms as a beginning, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmer?
  • Can I apply for more than one loan type at the same time?
  • What is the repayment timeline for this loan?
  • Is funding currently available, and is there a better time of year to apply?

Step 3. Create a business plan. 

If you’re applying for a direct FSA loan or a commercial loan guaranteed by FSA, you’ll need a business plan. This doesn’t have to be intimidating! A farm business plan is essentially a clear picture of your operation, goals, and finances. FSA wants to see that you’ve thought through how your farm works and how you’ll repay the loan. 

Your detailed business plan should cover:

  • Your mission, vision, and goals for your farm or ranch.
  • Your current assets (property or investments you own) and liabilities (debts, loans, or payments you owe).
  • What your operation will produce, and how and where you will market and sell your products.
    • This is sometimes referred to as a marketing plan.
  • Whether the amount of income your operation will generate will be enough to pay your business and family living expenses.
  • For organic and transitioning producers, it’s worth being specific about your certification status or timeline, your expected transition costs, and how your marketing strategy accounts for the organic price premium.

FSA provides a step-by-step business plan builder to help you get started.

Step 4. Gather your documents.

Your loan officer will tell you exactly what’s needed, but commonly required documents include:

  • Government-issued ID.
  • Tax returns (typically 3 years).
  • Farm financial statements or records.
  • Proof of land ownership or lease agreement.
  • Business plan.
  • Organic certification or transition plan, if applicable.

Step 5. Submit your application.

Applications can be submitted directly through FSA or, for guaranteed loans, through a commercial lender. Your loan officer will guide you through this.

Step 6. Follow up.

Processing times vary by loan type. Stay in contact with your loan officer and respond quickly to any requests for additional information.

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF below, available in English and Spanish.

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF in English and Spanish below.

front cover of OFRF's FSA factsheet (English version)
front cover of OFRF's FSA factsheet (Spanish version)

El acceso a financiamiento asequible es una de las mayores barreras a las que se enfrentan los agricultores orgánicos y en transición. Ya sea que busque comprar terrenos, cubrir los costos de certificación o simplemente mantener su operación en funcionamiento durante una temporada difícil, saber a dónde acudir para obtener capital puede marcar la diferencia. 

La Agencia de Servicios Agrícolas (FSA) del USDA  ofrece una variedad de programas de préstamos a bajo interés diseñados para agricultores como usted y puede ayudarle a conseguir mejores condiciones de financiamiento a través de un prestamista comercial.  Desafortunadamente, muchos de estos programas se usan poco simplemente porque los agricultores no saben que existen. Vamos a ayudar a cambiar eso. Si acaba de empezar o quiere hacer crecer su granja, probablemente haya un préstamo FSA diseñado para su situación.

¿Qué préstamo FSA es el adecuado para mí? 

La FSA ofrece diversos tipos de préstamos adaptados a operaciones agrícolas específicas, circunstancias y experiencias. Lea la lista a continuación para encontrar el préstamo FSA que mejor se adapte a sus necesidades. También puedes utilizar gratuitamente la herramienta de asistencia para préstamos de FSA. 

Préstamos operativos. (Operating Loans)

Financiamiento a corto plazo para los costos diarios de iniciar, mantener y fortalecer una granja o rancho.

  • Usos: Compra de artículos esenciales como ganado, aves, maquinaria agrícola, alimentos para animales, semillas, combustible, productos químicos agrícolas, seguros y otros gastos operativos; Cubrir costes relacionados con mejoras menores, gastos familiares y refinanciamiento de ciertas deudas; Cubrir los costos de certificación, insumos orgánicos aprobados y las carencias de flujo de caja durante el periodo de transición para productores orgánicos certificados o en transición por el USDA. 
  • Puede emitirse directamente desde FSA, o FSA puede garantizar un préstamo de un prestamista comercial para una línea de crédito mayor.
    • Monto máximo del préstamo: 400.000 dólares.

Préstamos para propiedad agrícola. (Farm Ownership Loans)

Financiamiento a largo plazo para comprar, ampliar o mejorar una granja o rancho.

  • Usos: Préstamos regulares, financiamiento conjunto u opciones de pago inicial (down payment) para la compra de tierras, mejoras agrícolas esenciales o conservación y protección del suelo y el agua.
  • Puede emitirse directamente desde FSA, o FSA puede garantizar un préstamo de un prestamista comercial para una línea de crédito mayor.
    • Importe máximo del préstamo: 600.000 $ (300.150 $ para el pago inicial de agricultores que están iniciando).

Préstamos agrícolas para agricultura inteligente y climática. (Climate-Smart Agriculture Farm Loans)

Financiamiento específico para prácticas y equipos alineados con lo orgánico que reduzcan el impacto medioambiental. La información sobre este programa estaba en revisión al 20 de mayo de 2025.

  • Usos: Invertir en prácticas inteligentes para el clima y equipos, como el establecimiento de sistemas de pastoreo rotativo, equipos de agricultura de precisión o maquinaria para sistemas de cultivo con labranza reducida o sin labranza (no-till).
  • Puede emitirse directamente desde FSA, o FSA puede garantizar un préstamo de un prestamista comercial para una línea de crédito mayor. 

Montos de los préstamos: 

  • Préstamos directos de propiedad agrícola: hasta 600.000 dólares.
  • Préstamos directos operativos: hasta 400.000 dólares.
  • Préstamos garantizados: hasta $1,825,000.
  • Microcréditos: hasta 50.000 dólares. 

Préstamos de emergencia. (Emergency loans)

Préstamos para ayudar a agricultores que han sido afectados por un desastre natural declarado a nivel federal o una emergencia nacional.

  • Usos: Restauración/reemplazo de propiedades, reorganización de una granja familiar; Refinanciamiento de deudas no inmobiliarias; Ayudar con los costos de producción o los gastos familiares.
  • Préstamos directos a través de FSA.
    • Importe máximo del préstamo: 500.000 $, aunque la cantidad que puede recibir un solicitante está limitada a las pérdidas reales de producción o daños físicos causados por el desastre.

Préstamos para jóvenes. (youth loans)

Pequeños préstamos para jóvenes (14–20 años) para proyectos relacionados con clubes 4-H, FFA, grupos juveniles tribales u organizaciones juveniles agrícolas similares. 

  • Usos: Compra de ganado, semillas, equipos, suministros o el pago de los gastos operativos del proyecto.
  • Cantidad máxima del préstamo: $10.000

Préstamo de Pago Inicial por Propiedad Directa de Operaciones Agrícolas

  • Usos: Cubrir un pago inicial en una granja para agricultores nuevos que no pueden financiar la compra completa por sí solos.
  • Puede emitirse directamente desde FSA, o FSA puede garantizar un préstamo de un prestamista comercial para una línea de crédito mayor.
    • Monto máximo del préstamo para un préstamo “regular” de propiedad directa agrícola: 600.000 dólares. 
    • Cantidad máxima del préstamo para una propiedad agrícola de financiamiento conjunto o participación: 600.000 dólares.
    • Monto máximo del préstamo para un préstamo de propiedad directa de una granja con pago inicial funciona de forma diferente. La cantidad máxima del préstamo bajo este programa no superará el 45 por ciento de la cantidad menor de:
      • el precio de compra;
      • el valor tasado de la granja que se estaba adquiriendo; o
      • $667.000.

Programa de Adquisición de Tierras Indígenas. (Indian Land Acquisition Program)

Para agricultores indígenas reconocidos a nivel federal y miembros tribales que buscan comprar tierras dentro de los límites de su reserva para uso agrícola. 

  • Cantidad máxima del préstamo: No se especifica una cantidad máxima del préstamo; La cantidad se basa en las necesidades financieras y la capacidad de pago de la tribu.

Programa de Préstamos para Tierras Indias (HFIL) altamente fraccionadas.

Para miembros y entidades tribales que buscan comprar o consolidar tierras de la reserva para uso agrícola. 

  • Usos: Compra de tierras fraccionadas con la intención de reducir la fragmentación y promover una gestión más eficaz de la tierra, productividad agrícola y desarrollo económico dentro de las áreas tribales.
  • Monto máximo del préstamo: $500.000 por solicitante.

Microcréditos. (Microloans)

Los microcréditos son para pequeños agricultores nuevos, operaciones agrícolas especializadas y no tradicionales que pueden no calificar o necesitar un préstamo FSA completo. Existen dos tipos de microcréditos: 

    • Usos: Compra de herramientas esenciales; instalación de cercas y sistemas de espaldera; construcción o adquisición de invernaderos tipo túnel (hoop houses); compra de abejas y equipo apícola; adquisición de equipos de ordeño y pasteurización; construcción, equipamiento y procesamiento relacionados con la producción de jarabe de arce; compra de ganado, semillas, fertilizantes y otros materiales esenciales para la operación agrícola; pago de servicios públicos, arrendamiento de tierras y gastos básicos de manutención familiar; instalación o mejora de sistemas de riego; pago de los costos de certificación GAP (Buenas Prácticas Agrícolas), GHP (Buenas Prácticas de Manejo) y certificación orgánica; costos de mercadeo y distribución, incluidos los relacionados con la venta en mercados de agricultores (Farmers’ Markets) y programas de Agricultura Apoyada por la Comunidad (CSA); y cubrir los costos necesarios para cumplir con las normas de seguridad y salud ocupacional (OSHA) (federales o estatales)
    • Monto máximo del préstamo: Los microcréditos operativos proporcionan hasta $50.000 por préstamo.
    • Usos: Hacer un pago inicial en una granja; Construir, reparar o mejorar edificios agrícolas, edificios de servicio, viviendas agrícolas; proyectos de conservación de suelo y agua. También puede utilizarse como Préstamo de Propiedad Agrícola con pago inicial o en Financiamiento Conjunto.
    • Monto máximo del préstamo: $50.000, que incluye cualquier posible saldo pendiente pendiente de préstamos principales de operación directa o propiedad agrícola de la FSA. Un solicitante de préstamo puede tener un préstamo operativo garantizado, un préstamo de propiedad agrícola o un préstamo de emergencia y aún así calificar para un micropréstamo. 

Cómo solicitar un préstamo FSA

Paso 1. Busque su oficina local de FSA.

Todos los préstamos de la FSA, ya sean directos o garantizados, se procesan a través de la oficina local de la FSA correspondiente a su condado. Encuentre su oficina local aquí.

Paso 2. Programe una reunión.

Llame o visite su oficina local para hablar sobre qué tipos de préstamos se adaptan a su situación. Lleve cualquier registro que tenga sobre su operación agrícola, finanzas y tierras. 

Aquí tiene algunas preguntas a considerar: 

  • Me interesa [tipo de préstamo]. ¿Qué necesito llevar para empezar con una solicitud?
  • ¿Soy elegible para algún préstamo con condiciones más favorables como agricultor nuevo, socialmente desfavorecido o veterano?
  • ¿Puedo solicitar más de un tipo de préstamo al mismo tiempo?
  • ¿Cuál es el plazo de devolución de este préstamo?
  • ¿Hay financiamiento disponible actualmente y hay una mejor época del año para solicitar?

Paso 3. Cree un plan de negocio. 

Si solicita un préstamo directo de FSA o un préstamo comercial garantizado por FSA, necesitará un plan de negocio. ¡Esto no tiene por qué ser intimidante! Un plan de negocio agrícola es esencialmente una imagen clara de su operación, objetivos y finanzas. FSA quiere asegurarse de que ha pensado bien cómo funciona su granja y cómo vas a devolver el préstamo. 

Su plan de negocio detallado debe cubrir:

  • Su misión, visión y objetivos para su granja o rancho.
  • Sus activos actuales (propiedades o inversiones que posee) y sus pasivos (deudas, préstamos o pagos que debe).
  • Qué producirá su granja, y cómo y dónde comercializará y venderá sus productos.
    • Esto a veces se denomina plan de marketing.
  • Si la cantidad de ingresos que generará su operación será suficiente para cubrir los gastos de su negocio y familia.
  • Para productores orgánicos y en transición, conviene ser específico sobre el estado o el calendario de la certificación, los costos de transición previstos y cómo su estrategia de marketing tiene en cuenta la prima del precio orgánico.

FSA ofrece un generador de planes de negocio paso a paso para ayudarle a empezar.

Paso 4. Reúna los documentos necesarios.

Su oficial de préstamos le dirá exactamente lo que se necesita, pero que es habitualmente los documentos incluyen:

  • Identificación emitida por el gobierno.
  • Declaraciones de impuestos (generalmente de los últimos 3 años)
  • Estados financieros o registros agrícolas
  • Comprobante de propiedad de la tierra o contrato de arrendamiento.
  • Plan de negocio.
  • Certificación orgánica o plan de transición, si corresponde.

Paso 5. Envíe su solicitud.

Las solicitudes pueden presentarse directamente a través de la FSA o, para préstamos garantizados, a través de una institución financiera comercial. Su oficial de préstamos le orientará durante todo el proceso.

Paso 6. De Seguimiento a su solicitud.

Los tiempos de procesamiento varían según el tipo de préstamo. 

Manténgase en comunicación con su oficial de préstamos y responda rapidamente a cualquier solicitud de información adicional.

Toda esta información se resume en un PDF imprimible y descargable a continuación, disponible en inglés y español.

Toda esta información se resume en un PDF imprimible y descargable a continuación, disponible en inglés y español.

front cover of OFRF's FSA factsheet (Spanish version)
front cover of OFRF's FSA factsheet (English version)

By |2026-08-03T10:47:33-04:00June 25th, 2026|Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources|
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Conservation at Work: Cover Cropping through CSP at Mora Mora Farm

By Clare Boland, Communications Manager

OFRF is currently working to increase farmer and community awareness of the federal funding opportunities available to organic and transitioning farms. As part of our work with the Northwest region of the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), we’re spotlighting the experience of one farm—Mora Mora Farm in Oregon—that received funding and support through the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). 

Their story offers a transparent look at what it’s really like to work with NRCS: the benefits, the obstacles, and the lessons they’ve learned. We hope other farmers can use their experience to navigate the process of applying for and implementing CSP contracts more easily.

Meet Mora Mora Farm

Catherine Nguyen bunches greens in a swiss chard field. Source: Emilie Chen

For Catherine Nguyen, a farmer in Troutdale, Oregon, the ethos of her farm is encompassed by the name, Mora Mora Farm, which means “slowly slowly.” After a busy season of farming, Catherine was catching up with a friend who had recently traveled to Madagascar. Her friend shared the phrase “mora mora,” which captured the pace of life there; instead of rushing, there was a culture of patience and contentment, acknowledging that all things take time. The phrase stayed with Catherine, so much so that when she started her own farm in 2018, she used it for the name. “[Farming] is an industry about high production,” Catherine said. “I know my tendency is to go, go, go. The name reminds me to take a moment to slow down.”

True to the sentiment that good things take time, Mora Mora Farm has been steadily growing over the years. Catherine began her farm as part of the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District’s Headwaters Farm Business Incubator, a five-year program that provides land access, equipment, infrastructure, and business support for beginning farmers. After graduating, she moved her farm to a parcel of land being farmed collectively by previous Headwaters graduates. Today, Mora Mora Farm has one and a half acres in production with a diversity of 40 to 60 different crops, including Asian heritage varieties. Catherine considers her community-supported agriculture (CSA) model “the heart of the farm,” but also supplements the farm’s income by vending at the King Farmers Market, restaurant accounts, and nonprofit partnerships.

In May 2024, the farm obtained organic certification through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). “We had been practicing organic since the start,” Catherine shared, but she decided to pursue certification to build trust with the customer base at the Portland Farmers’ Market. To her, organic farming is about “growing healthy food and feeling good about what you’re doing.” 

When it comes to growing her operation, Catherine cites other farmers as her greatest resource. “Everyone is so open and generous with their knowledge,” she said, and when facing specific challenges, “farmers in the region have usually already dealt with what I’m curious about.” A fellow farmer on her land is how Catherine first heard about the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). CSP is a program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that compensates agricultural producers committed to increasing conservation on their farms. In 2024, Catherine started a contract to reduce soil compaction on her property through cover cropping.

Why CSP?

Catherine Nguyen tills her field with a BCSSource: Megan Clark

For Catherine, the CSP program presented an opportunity to get financial support for work she was already doing. CSP supports farmers by providing a minimum of $4,000 per year for a 5-year contract to install, maintain, or improve a conservation practice on their farm. One of the requirements of the Headwaters program is that any land that is not in production over the winter must be put in cover crop. “The practice was already instilled in my growing practices,” Catherine shared, but through the CSP program, she was able to get financial and technical support for it. “It’s an incredible program,” she added. “Every farmer wants to be growing food. They also want to be doing good things for the environment. But it’s costly to do both.” CSP helped bridge the gap between generating income and investing in conservation.

She emphasized that the financial component can’t be overstated; in an industry with razor-thin margins, choosing to seed a cover crop rather than another round of cash crop can feel like a “double loss” in the short term. But with CSP, that burden is reduced, making it easier to prioritize the overall health of the land for the long term.

Deciding on a Conservation Practice

After graduating from Headwaters and moving onto a new property, Catherine had to adjust to a new set of challenges. “Technically, I’m on a wetland, which makes water management key to this site.” Catherine has experienced issues like standing water, flooded aisles, and soil-borne diseases on her new land. When approaching NRCS, her primary focus was on determining how to best move water throughout the farm.

As part of the application process, applicants have a one-on-one consultation with an NCRS staff member to discuss resource management on their farm and determine which “enhancement,” or conservation strategy, will work best. After considering a few different strategies, she and her NRCS agent decided on “cover crop to minimize soil compaction (E340F).” Having living roots in soil can help mitigate excess water. “They kind of act as straws to pull water out of the soil and keep it moving,” she explained. Since she had utilized cover crops before, it “felt like an easy step into improving the soil.”

“I remember being surprised when I was looking at the enhancements online,” Catherine shared. “They were so detailed in a good way. It’s like this is the enhancement, and this is how you implement it. It’s very specific. They gave me a list of cover crops to choose from, and from there it was just me trying to decide, which ones do I want? Which ones are readily available in my area?”

Sprouting cover crop in the field at Mora Mora Farm.
Cover crop in the field at Mora Mora Farm.Source: Mora Mora Farm
Mowing down cover crop in the field at Mora Mora Farm.

Timeline

Catherine first heard about the CSP program in spring 2024 and was able to seed her first round of CSP-funded cover crop in October of that year. The first step was reaching out to her local NRCS office and reviewing her conservation options. After that, farmers need to register with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Catherine was already in the system from utilizing other USDA programs. Her advice is to register sooner rather than later: “Once you’re in the system for NRCS or for FSA, everything becomes so much easier.”

Next, she worked with her NRCS agent to make sure she had all the required documents to begin her conservation work. Catherine said the biggest myth about working with NRCS is “the amount of paperwork.” “A lot of farmers hate doing admin, but it really is manageable.” She described the timeframe as about “a month of emailing going back and forth.” But after the documentation is complete, farmers can focus fully on farm work.

In terms of implementation, “the contract itself is so simple.” She was given a list of recommended cover crops, a designated amount of acreage, and a timeframe to complete the work by. “There’s not a lot of hoops to jump through,” she said. “[The Program] lets us actually be able to be out in the field and not be consumed by paperwork.” 

NRCS determines the payment amount per project, but after that, it “is up to the farmer to figure out where it gets distributed.” Farmers receive their project payments as lump sums per each tax year of the contract. Outside of purchasing the cover crop seed, Catherine used the CSP payments to cover the labor costs of the project. Having the CSP funds allowed her “a little bit more wiggle room to have my employee do [the work] versus me.”

That fall, an NRCS agent came out to Mora Mora farm to do a site visit and assess how the project was going. Catherine received her first reimbursement payment later that year.

Doing CSP on Leased Land

Accessing farmland is increasingly cited as a barrier for beginning farmers. Young farmers, like Catherine, often will lease land rather than buying. The land she currently farms is shared with several other farm businesses. When Catherine first considered an NRCS contract in 2023, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), she wasn’t able to because another farm business was already tied to her land in the system.

When she applied for CSP in 2024, NRCS worked with her to subdivide the plot she farms into three different managing farms in the system. Through the other farms on the property, the land houses multiple NRCS projects, including hedgerows for wind management and high tunnels through EQIP.

>> Related Reading: Héktor Calderón-Victoria of Three Feathers Farm shares his experience working with NRCS’s EQIP to install a hedgerow border and two high tunnels on his four-and-a-half-acre farm in Morgan Hill, California. Read his story.

Outside of the issue of subdividing the property, Catherine has had an easy time implementing her contract on leased land. Besides sharing a lease with NRCS, there are no additional requirements for farmers who lease. “Our landowner is pretty hands-off in terms of the production site,” she shared, “and he is also all for conservation.”

Working with NRCS

Catherine described her experience of working with NRCS as overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone I’ve worked with in the NRCS—and at this point, I’ve probably worked with three separate people—has been so prompt in their responses and really easy to work with,” she said. As an organic farmer, Catherine found that the program generally aligned with her organic certification requirements, though there was some confusion around sourcing organic cover crop seeds. “There was a specific type of clover that’s part of my enhancement that I had a really hard time finding,” but through some back and forth with her agent, she was able to determine a seed that would still meet the requirements of the program and certification.

One hiccup during the process was the 2025 funding freeze of USDA programs. She received an email instructing participants to hold off on implementing their CSP projects unless they could take on the financial risk themselves. During that period of uncertainty, many NRCS offices experienced layoffs, and there was “a weird time of not knowing who my point of contact actually was.” Later that year, funds were released, and Catherine received her reimbursement as planned. Despite staffing changes at NRCS, Catherine noted that the current representative covering Multnomah County has been “amazing,” and she still usually gets a response within 48 hours of emailing her office.

Clover in the field at Mora Mora Farm.Source: Mora Mora Farm
Overhead angle of cover crop.
Cover crop in the field at Mora Mora Farm.

Conversation at Work

Two years into her CSP contract, Catherine has completed two rounds of winter cover cropping. The practice has aided with soil compaction as planned, noting that “where there is cover crop, the water is being absorbed faster.” Without a clear baseline for the property—Catherine has been using a cover crop since she moved to the site—it’s hard to say how significant the enhancement has been. But she has “definitely seen less standing water since I’ve been on the site.” Catherine considers cover cropping “part of a holistic strategy to figure out water management” on her farmland. 

One of the most helpful resources NRCS gave her was a list of cover crops for the project. Having worked on farms in the past, Catherine said that “most farms have their go-to cover crop rotations,” and she had defaulted to using mixes she had previously worked with. Being part of CSP gave her room to experiment and determine what mix works best for her property. Currently, she uses a mix of clover and triticale for her winter rotation. In future seasons, she’s hoping to include a summer cover crop as well. “NRCS was kind of the first entity that put summer cover crops on my radar,” she said, “[working with them] has provided more depth to my crop rotation.”

More than anything, the program has allowed Catherine the time and funding to prioritize cover cropping. Rather than stressing to maximize profit, Catherine said that CSP has “given me a little bit more breathing room, knowing that this project is funded.” Having that comfort has allowed her to commit more fully to the practice, for example, taking extra time to prep her beds to ensure better germination. The experience has led to her putting more of her land into her cover crop rotation. In 2026, she’s planning to “have two acres under management, one in production, one in cover crop.”

“[CSP] allows you to start dreaming a little bit more,” Catherine said. “Cover cropping is a practice I have done before, but I was able to do it better and to think a little bit bigger in terms of conservation.” 

Advice for Farmers Considering CSP

For Catherine, working with CSP has been a big help to her farm. She praises the program for letting “farmers do what they’re good at, which is food production.”

In terms of her advice for farmers considering the program, she shared:

  • Get into the system. Already being registered with her FSA office expedited the process. Once you’re in the system, it “opens the doors to all these other programs.”
  • Start early. “It will likely take 3 to 6 months to actually get everything signed,” Catherine said. “And especially if you’re taking an off-season, you might as well be cozied up in your house doing a bunch of office work.”

Overall, Catherine wants to share with other farmers “how easy it was.” “It takes a little bit of time to get everything squared away and to learn the definitions of things,” she said, “but the payoff for the work is worth it. The return on investment is great.”

Ready to Apply? Here Are a Few Helpful Resources

If you’re a farmer considering applying for CSP or other NRCS programs, here are some helpful tools to get started:
NCRS CSP Mora Mora Farm Flyer cover page

By |2026-06-09T15:35:22-04:00May 11th, 2026|Farmer Stories, Federal Assistance, News|
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Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Farmers across the U.S. are eligible for significant technical and financial assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Versión en español a continuación.

If you are engaging in environmental stewardship and conservation efforts on your farm, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) can help support your progress. CSP compensates agricultural producers who agree to increase conservation on their farm by adopting additional conservation activities or improving upon existing practices. With technical assistance from a conservation planner, farmers will work to increase conservation through practices best suited to their operation, like cover cropping, integrated grazing, or building wildlife habitats.

Obtain additional translated materials, or schedule interpretation services for phone calls or in-person visits, at farmers.gov/translations, or request personalized Spanish language support for any USDA resource, at farmers.gov/translations#spanish-request.

Important Points:

  • CSP provides annual payments for farmers, with the annual minimum being $4,000, for a 5-year contract for installing, maintaining, and improving existing conservation on a farm.
  • CSP payments are reported to the IRS and should be treated as taxable income.
  • Unlike the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), there are no minimum acreage requirements, but the program requires whole-farm enrollment. The applicant’s farm must be in existing production; the program generally will not support land being cleared or prepared for future production.
  • Contacting your local NRCS office is a key step in determining your eligibility and beginning your application process.
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed on the next ranking date for your state. Begin your application process as soon as possible to ensure completion by the next deadline! Applications are prioritized by local resource concerns and the applicant’s level of need.
    • The 2026 batching deadline was January 15, 2026, for all states. 
  • You will need to create a free online account at Farmers.gov and ensure that it is up to date.
  • If you do not own your land, you will need to submit written permission from the owner with your application.
  • New this year: the Regenerative Agriculture Initiative may be an opportunity for organic and transitioning-to-organic producers to leverage their operational status for qualifying for contracts.

Step 1. Research Your Options.

CSP offers support for a broad scope of conservation activities and projects to producers, including both financial and technical support. CSP contracts last 5 years, with the option for renewal. Read up on the program to determine your eligibility and brainstorm how you already are, or would like to, increase conservation on your farm. For some possible project inspiration, check out NCRS’s Conservation at Work video series.

Front page of a CSP factsheet in English
Front page of a CSP factsheet in Spanish

Step 2. Connect with USDA.

Create or update your account at Farmers.gov, and contact your local NRCS office to get started. Your conservation specialist will confirm your eligibility and help you determine your farm’s current stewardship thresholds. A stewardship threshold is NRCS’s benchmark for whether a CSP applicant is meeting or exceeding the level of conservation for a specific natural resource concern. To qualify, applicants must meet the threshold for at least two priority resource concerns across all land uses in their operation and commit to meeting or exceeding at least one additional concern by the end of their contract.

Guiding questions for initial contact with NRCS:

  • “I’m interested in  _conservation project(s) of interest_. What do you need from me to get started on my application?”
  • “What additional funding opportunities are available to my farm?”
  • “When is the deadline for the next CSP ranking period?”
  • “I _(own/rent)_ my land. What documents will you need for completion of my CSP application by the deadline?”
  • “My farm is _certified/transitioning_ to organic. What additional will you need for completion of my conservation plan and application by the deadline?”

Step 3. Gather your application documents.

You’ll need your:

  • Official tax ID (Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number)
  • Adjusted gross income certification (Form CCC-941), which requires your Taxpayer ID Number and AGI from the previous 3 tax years.
  • Deed, or property lease agreement, and written authorization from the landowner to install structural or vegetative practices.
  • A map showing all land uses and acres in the operation, and a map or other documentation identifying any known ineligible land and associated acreage amounts (NRCS staff will help you obtain this information if you don’t already have it).
  • Farm tract number (obtained from Farmers.gov or FSA membership).
  • Documentation of organic certification (if applicable).
  • Documentation of your land’s irrigation history (if applicable to project).

Step 4. Complete your application & submit!

Your NRCS conservation specialist will complete and submit your application form (CPA 1200) based on your established conservation plan.

Step 5. Implement your plan.

If your application is selected, NRCS will offer a contract outlining the approved conservation activities, payment rates, and other terms. CSP contracts last five years and begin only after both the farmer and NRCS sign the agreement. NRCS provides technical assistance, verifies completion of contract activities, and issues annual payments after October 1 each year.

Apply for CSP now to take conservation efforts on your farm to the next level! 

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF below in English and Spanish.

Front page of OFRF's CSP Flyer

English

TOPP CSP flyer in Spanish

Español

Los agricultores de todo Estados Unidos son elegibles para recibir asistencia técnica y financiera del Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS).

Si usted participa en esfuerzos de gestión ambiental y conservación en su granja, El Programa de Administración para la Conservación (CSP) puede ayudarle a apoyar su progreso. El CSP compensa a los productores agrícolas que aceptan aumentar la conservación en su granja adoptando actividades adicionales de conservación o mejorando prácticas existentes. Con la asistencia técnica de un planificador de conservación, los agricultores trabajarán para aumentar la conservación mediante prácticas más adecuadas a su explotación, como la construcción de cultivos de cobertura, el pastoreo integrado o la construcción de hábitats para la vida silvestre.

Obtenga materiales traducidos adicionales, programa servicios de interpretación para llamadas telefónicas o visitas presenciales, en farmers.gov/translations, o solicite apoyo personalizado en español para cualquier recurso del USDA, en farmers.gov/translations#spanish-request.

Puntos importantes:

  • CSP da pagos anuales a los agricultores, con un mínimo anual de 4.000 dólares, por un contrato de 5 años por instalar, mantener y mejorar la conservación existente en la granja.
  • Los pagos del CSP se reportan al IRS y deben considerarse ingreso sujeto a impuestos.
  • A diferencia del Programa de Incentivos para la Calidad Ambiental (EQIP), no existen requisitos mínimos de superficie, pero el programa exige la inscripción de toda la granja. La granja del solicitante debe estar en producción existente; El programa generalmente no apoya la limpieza o preparación de terrenos para futuras producciones.
  • Contactar con la oficina local del NRCS es un paso clave para determinar su elegibilidad y comenzar el proceso de solicitud.
  • Las solicitudes se aceptan de forma continua y se revisarán en la siguiente fecha de clasificación para su estado. ¡Comience su proceso de solicitud lo antes posible para asegurarse de finalizar antes de la próxima fecha límite! Las solicitudes se priorizan según los recursos locales y el nivel de necesidad del solicitante.
    • La fecha límite para 2026 fue el 15 de enero de 2026 para todos los estados. 
  • Tendrá que crear una cuenta online gratuita en Farmers.gov y asegurarse de que está actualizada.
  • Si no es propietario de su terreno, tendrá que presentar un permiso por escrito del propietario con su solicitud.
  • Novedad de este año: la Iniciativa de Agricultura Regenerativa podría ser una oportunidad para que los productores orgánicos y en transición a orgánicos aprovechen su estatus operativo para calificar para contratos.

Paso 1. Investigue sus opciones.

El CSP ofrece apoyo para un amplio alcance de actividades y proyectos de conservación a los productores, incluyendo apoyo financiero y técnico. Los contratos CSP duran 5 años, con opción de renovación. Infórmese sobre el programa para determinar su elegibilidad y haga una lluvia de ideas sobre cómo ya está, o le gustaría, aumentar la conservación en su granja. Para alguna posible inspiración en proyectos, revise la serie de videos sobre Conservación en el Trabajo de NCRS.

Front page of a CSP factsheet in Spanish
Front page of a CSP factsheet in English

Paso 2. Contacte con USDA.

Cree o actualice su cuenta en Farmers.gov y contacte con la oficina local del NRCS para empezar. Su especialista en conservación confirmará su elegibilidad y le ayudará a determinar los límites actuales de gestión de su granja. Un umbral de manejo responsable es el referente de la NRCS para determinar si un solicitante de CSP cumple o supera el nivel requerido de conservación para una inquietud específica de recursos naturales. Para calificar, los solicitantes deben cumplir el umbral para al menos dos inquietudes prioritarias de recursos naturales en todos los usos del suelo en su operación y comprometerse a cumplir o superar al menos una inquietud adicional antes de finalizar su contrato.

Preguntas orientadoras para el contacto inicial con el NRCS:

  • “Me interesa el/los _proyecto(s) de conservación(es) que le interese. ¿Qué necesitan de mí para empezar con mi solicitud?”
  • “¿Qué oportunidades adicionales de financiación hay disponibles para mi granja?”
  • “¿Cuándo es la fecha límite para el próximo periodo de clasificación CSP?”
  • “Yo _(poseo/alquilo)_ mi tierra. ¿Qué documentos necesitarán para completar mi solicitud CSP antes de la fecha límite?”

Paso 3. Reúna sus documentos de solicitud.

Necesitará su:

  • Identificación fiscal oficial (Número de Seguro Social o de Identificación del Empleador)
  • Certificación de ingreso bruto ajustado (Formulario CCC-941), que requiere su número de identificación de contribuyente y AGI de los 3 años fiscales anteriores.
  • Escritura, o contrato de arrendamiento de propiedad, y autorización por escrito del propietario para instalar prácticas estructurales o vegetativas.
  • Un mapa que muestre todos los usos del suelo y acres en la operación, y un mapa u otra documentación que identifique cualquier terreno no elegible conocido y las extensiones asociadas (el personal de NRCS le ayudará a obtener esta información si aún no la tiene).
  • Número de parcela de la granja (obtenido de Farmers.gov o de la membresía FSA).
  • Documentación de certificación orgánica (si procede).
  • Documentación del historial de riego de su terreno (si es aplicable al proyecto).

Paso 4. ¡Complete su solicitud y envíela!

Su especialista en conservación del NRCS completará y enviará su formulario de solicitud (CPA 1200) en base a su plan de conservación establecido.

Paso 5. Implemente su plan.

Si su solicitud es seleccionada, el NRCS ofrecerá un contrato que detalle las actividades de conservación aprobadas, las tarifas de pago y otros términos. Los contratos CSP duran cinco años y solo comienzan después de que tanto el agricultor como el NRCS firmen el acuerdo. El NRCS proporciona asistencia técnica, verifica la finalización de las actividades contractuales y emite pagos anuales después del 1 de octubre de cada año.

¡Solicite CSP ahora para llevar los esfuerzos de conservación en su granja al siguiente nivel! 

Toda esta información se resume en un PDF imprimible y descargable a continuación, disponible en inglés y español.

Front page of OFRF's CSP Flyer

Español

TOPP CSP flyer in Spanish

English

By |2026-06-12T09:57:50-04:00January 15th, 2026|Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources, TOPP West|
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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Farmers across the U.S. are eligible for significant technical and financial assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Farmers and technical service providers know firsthand that the most significant barriers to developing sustainable infrastructure and production practices are due to time and resource scarcity. NRCS’ EQIP program offers financial assistance and technical support to implement new conservation practices on your farm, with additional support for historically underserved applicants, including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited-resource farmers and ranchers. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of what EQIP has to offer and the steps to utilizing this program.

Obtain additional translated materials, or schedule interpretation services for phone calls or in-person visits, at farmers.gov/translations, or request personalized Spanish language support for any USDA resource, at farmers.gov/translations#spanish-request.

Important Points:

  • EQIP is a reimbursement program; most operations will have to pay for improvements up-front and get funding to cover those costs.
  • Do not begin reimbursable conservation activities and projects prior to completion of your application process and contract with NRCS.
  • Contacting your local NRCS office is a key step in determining your eligibility and beginning your application process.
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed on the next ranking date for your state. Begin your application process as soon as possible to ensure completion by the next deadline! Applications are prioritized by local resource concerns and the applicant’s level of need.
    • The 2026 batching deadline is January 15, 2026, for all states. 
  • You will need to create a free online account at Farmers.gov and ensure that it is up to date.
  • If you do not own your land, you will need to submit written permission from the owner with your application.

Step 1. Research Your Options.

EQIP offers support for a broad scope of conservation activities & projects to producers, including both financial and technical support. EQIP provides funds to reimburse costs associated with specific practices or infrastructure projects on a farm. EQIP’s most popular sub-programs include the High Tunnel Initiative, which covers the cost of high tunnel installation for production farms, the On Farm Energy Initiative, which covers the cost of energy-saving equipment and infrastructure improvements such as refrigeration units or greenhouse improvements, and the Organic Initiative, which provides up to $140k to certified organic or transitioning farms to implement conservation practices such as design and installation of efficient irrigation systems, nutrient & pest management strategies, or developing a grazing plan. Funding availability varies by state. As of 2026, not all initiatives are offered in every state. Check with your local NCRS office to determine what funding pools are available in your state.

Front page of a CSP factsheet in English

Step 2. Connect with USDA.

Create or update your account at Farmers.gov, and contact your local NRCS office to get started. Your conservation specialist will confirm your eligibility and help you identify which projects & practices best suit your operation. 

Guiding questions for initial contact with NRCS:

  • “I’m interested in applying for EQIP’s  _initiative(s) of interest_ for my farm to help finance _conservation project of interest_. What do you need from me to get started on my application?”
  • “What additional funding opportunities are available to my farm?”
  • “How soon can a conservationist help me set up a conservation plan (AD 1026)?”
  • “When is the deadline for the next EQIP ranking period?”
  • “I am eligible for the increased and advanced payment option for Historically Underserved farmers. How will this change my application process?”
  • “I _(own/rent)_ my land. What documents will you need for completion of my EQIP application by the deadline?”
  • “My farm is _certified/transitioning_ to organic. What additional will you need for completion of my conservation plan and application by the deadline?”

Step 3. Schedule your conservation plan development.

Your NRCS conservation specialist will work with you to develop a conservation plan for your operation and complete the AD 1026 form.

Step 4. Gather your application documents.

You’ll need your: 

  • Official tax ID (Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number)
  • Adjusted gross income certification (Form CCC-941), which requires your Taxpayer ID Number and AGI from the previous 3 tax years.
  • Deed, or property lease agreement, and written authorization from the landowner to install structural or vegetative practices.
  • Farm tract number (obtained from Farmers.gov or FSA membership).
  • Documentation of organic certification (if applicable).
  • Documentation of your land’s irrigation history (if applicable to project).

Step 5. Complete your application & submit!

Your NRCS conservation specialist will complete & submit your application form (CPA 1200) with you using your established conservation plan and the above documents. 

Step 6. Implement your plan.

If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done. You’ll be provided with guidelines and a timeframe for implementing your plan. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work.

Apply for EQIP now and unlock a more affordable path to sustainable agriculture. Your farm deserves the support it needs.

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF below, available in English and Spanish.

Cover page of TOPP EQIP Toolkit

English

Español

By |2026-01-15T10:21:50-05:00January 5th, 2026|Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources, TOPP West|
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Building Successful Farmer-Researcher Collaboration

Farmers and ranchers are natural researchers, regularly using trial-and-error to address on-farm questions and challenges. Research shows that farmers greatly benefit when they lead on-farm research trials.

Programs like the OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education’s Farmer-Rancher Grant put farmers in the driver’s seat, allowing them to conceive and carry out research on their farms.

For research involving farmers and University scientists, successful collaborations between farmers and researchers can greatly enhance results. However, these collaborations take time to build. Read our report on for lessons learned from organic farmers and researchers about how to form these effective collaborations.

Front cover of seeds of success resource
By |2026-06-12T09:42:00-04:00December 19th, 2025|On-Farm Research, Resource|
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Funding On-Farm Innovation: SARE Farmer/Rancher Grants

By Gordon Merrick, Policy Program Director at OFRF

Versión en español a continuación.

At the Organic Farming Research Foundation, we’ve seen firsthand that some of the most meaningful innovation happens on working farms, not just research plots. When farmers take the lead in experimenting and observing what works on their land, they build confidence, share new knowledge, and drive progress across the organic movement. That’s the spirit behind our Farmer-Led Trials Program—and the reason why we’re excited to release a new toolkit to help producers who utilize organic farming systems to access the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer/Rancher Grant Program.

SARE provides direct funding for producers to test ideas and share solutions with their communities. This toolkit is designed to make that process more accessible than ever for organic and transitioning-to-organic producers.

What Is the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program?

A farmer leans down in a field with a clip board, conducting research.The SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to producers who have designed their own research projects and teams. This program aims to award funding to projects that address real-world, on-farm challenges and include both research and outreach components.

Farmers and ranchers apply as the Principal Investigator and work with Technical Advisors, like Extension agents, university researchers, or nonprofit organizations. Together, they run projects lasting one to three years, testing new practices while sharing their findings with others.

The 2026 Call for Proposals was recently released and offers a funding limit of $15,000-35,000 for projects, depending on your region! 

For farms in the SARE Western Region

(Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming)

  • Up to $35,000 of funding available for 1-3 year projects. 
  • The submission deadline is Noon (12 pm Mountain Time) on November 20, 2025, and projects must start between May and October of 2026. Learn more and apply here.

For farms in the SARE North Central Region

(North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio)

  • Up to $15,000 of funding for individuals, and up to $30,000 for teams, available for 23 month projects. 
  • The submission deadline is 4 pm Central Time on December 4, 2025. Learn more and apply here.

For farms in the SARE Southern Region

(Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands)

  • Up to $20,000 of funding for individuals, and up to $25,000 for teams, available for 2 year projects. 
  • The submission deadline is Noon (12 pm Eastern Time) on December 5, 2025. Learn more and apply here.

Why Does SARE Matter for Organic and Transitioning-To-Organic Producers?

Organic producers have long been at the forefront of innovation, whether experimenting with cover cropping strategies, biological pest and disease controls, diversified rotations, or the interaction of all of these different practices.

Research shows that farmers benefit greatly when they lead on-farm research trials at their farms. Conducting your own research allows you to address your farm-specific questions and has historically supported the adoption and innovation of sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.

Programs like SARE’s Farmer/Rancher Grant Program give farmers the opportunity to test what works under real conditions on their farms and ensure that knowledge benefits others in their communities.

The outreach component required by the program guarantees that the benefits extend beyond a single farm. For operations transitioning to organic certification, this grant offers a valuable chance to research how best to manage that transition, making it easier for others to follow suit.

How To Get Started With a SARE Proposal

Our new toolkit walks you through the process, from project idea to submission, offering resources and general guidance tailored to organic operations. There are five primary steps:

  • Define Your Project Idea. Think about a real challenge on your farm. Use the SARE project database to make sure you’re not repeating a funded study, and ask how the project will improve sustainability for more than just your farm.
  • Build Your Team. In the Western region, a Technical Advisor is required, ideally this is a preexisting relationship with an Extension agent, university researcher, or a non-profit organization. In the North Central and Southern regions, you can apply as an individual farm, or as part of a group of multiple farms.
  • Design the Research and Outreach. Outline your methods, timeline, budget, and outreach plan. Use our free guidebook, Farmers Guide to Conducting On-Farm Research, to support you at every step of this process.
  • Submit Your Application Before Your Region’s Deadline. The best way to avoid any technical difficulties is to submit your application earlier than the deadline, and to make sure you have an active account on their platform!
  • Conduct Your Research and Share What You Learn. If awarded, you’ll conduct the research you’ve outlined and then report results, host outreach activities, and help build the region’s body of applied research and connected producers.

SARE In Action

Across the country, past SARE-funded projects have examined a wide range of topics. In the western region, a few funded projects look at organic pest control in pastured pork production and varroa mite management for beekeepers in Hawaii. These are tangible, farmer-driven projects that answer real questions and create resilient resources others can use—exactly the kind of work this grant aims to support.

Farmer-led research isn’t just a nice idea; it is essential for advancing organic production systems that are resilient, profitable, and rooted in ecological stewardship. With this toolkit and the updated SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant Program, we hope you’ll see a clear path to turning your ideas into action.

When good ideas aren’t kept bottled up, but are spread and shared abundantly within communities, that’s when real change happens.

All of this information is summarized in a printable, downloadable PDF.

visual of the first page of a SARE flyer made by OFRF
visual of the second page of a SARE flyer made by OFRF

Fondos para proyectos de innovación en la granja: becas de SARE para agricultores / ganaderos

En la Fundación de Investigación de Agricultura Orgánica (Organic Farming Research Foundation), hemos visto de primera mano que algunas de las innovaciones más significativas ocurren en granjas en funcionamiento, no solo en parcelas de investigación. Cuando los agricultores toman la iniciativa de experimentar y observar lo que funciona en sus tierras, generan confianza, comparten nuevos conocimientos e impulsan el progreso en todo el movimiento orgánico. Ese es el espíritu detrás de nuestro Programa de Ensayos Dirigidos por Agricultores, y la razón por la que estamos entusiasmados de lanzar un nuevo conjunto de herramientas para ayudar a los productores que utilizan sistemas de agricultura orgánica a acceder al Programa de becas para agricultores/ganaderos de Investigación y Educación en Agricultura Sostenible (SARE).

SARE proporciona fondos directos para que los productores prueben ideas y compartan soluciones con sus comunidades. Este kit de herramientas está diseñado para hacer que ese proceso sea más accesible que nunca para los productores orgánicos y en transición a orgánicos.

¿Qué es el Programa de Investigación y Educación sobre Agricultura Sostenible?

A farmer leans down in a field with a clip board, conducting research.El Programa de Becas para Agricultores/Ganaderos de SARE es un programa de becas competitivo que proporciona fondos a los productores que han diseñado sus propios proyectos y equipos de investigación. Este programa tiene como objetivo otorgar fondos a proyectos que abordan desafíos del mundo real en la granja e incluyen componentes de investigación y divulgación.

Los agricultores y ganaderos se postulan como Investigador Principal y trabajan con Asesores Técnicos, como agentes de extensión, investigadores universitarios u organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Juntos, ejecutan proyectos que duran de uno a tres años, probando nuevas prácticas mientras comparten sus hallazgos con otros.

¡La Convocatoria de Propuestas 2026 se publicó recientemente y ofrece un límite de financiamiento de $15,000-35,000 por proyecto, dependiendo de la región!

Para granjas en la región occidental de SARE

(Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawái, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Nuevo México, Oregón, Utah, Washington y Wyoming)

  • Hasta $35,000 de financiación para proyectos de 1 a 3 años.
  • La fecha límite de presentación es el mediodía (12 pm hora de la montaña) del 20 de noviembre de 2025, y los proyectos deben comenzar entre mayo y octubre de 2026. Obtenga más información y presente su solicitud aquí.

Para granjas en la región central norte de SARE

(Dakota del Norte, Dakota del Sur, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio)

Para granjas en la región sur de SARE

(Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Carolina del Sur, Carolina del Norte, Virginia, Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de EE. UU.)

¿Por qué es importante SARE para productores orgánicos y en transición a orgánicos?

Los productores orgánicos han estado durante mucho tiempo a la vanguardia de la innovación, ya sea experimentando con estrategias de cultivos de cobertura, controles biológicos de plagas y enfermedades, rotaciones diversificadas o la interacción de todas estas prácticas diferentes.

La investigación muestra que los agricultores se benefician enormemente cuando lideran ensayos de investigación en sus granjas. Realizando su propia investigación le permite abordar sus preguntas específicas de la granja e históricamente ha apoyado la adopción e innovación de prácticas agrícolas sostenibles en todo el mundo.

Programas como el Programa de Becas para Agricultores/Ganaderos de SARE brindan a los agricultores la oportunidad de probar lo que funciona en condiciones reales en sus granjas y garantizar que el conocimiento beneficie a otros en sus comunidades.

El componente de divulgación requerido por el programa garantiza que los beneficios se extiendan más allá de una sola granja. Para las operaciones que hacen la transición a la certificación orgánica, esta beca ofrece una valiosa oportunidad para investigar la mejor manera de gestionar esa transición, lo que facilita que otros sigan su ejemplo.

Cómo empezar con una propuesta de SARE

Nuestro nuevo kit de herramientas lo guía a través del proceso, desde la idea del proyecto hasta la presentación, ofreciendo recursos y orientación general adaptados a las operaciones orgánicas. Hay cinco pasos principales:

  • Defina su idea de proyecto. Piense en un verdadero desafío en su granja. Utilice la base de datos del proyecto SARE para asegurarse de que no está repitiendo un estudio financiado y pregunte cómo el proyecto mejorará la sostenibilidad para algo más que su granja.
  • Construya su equipo. En la región occidental, se requiere un Asesor Técnico, idealmente se trata de una relación preexistente con un agente de Extensión, investigador universitario o una organización sin fines de lucro.
  • Diseñar la investigación y la divulgación. Describa sus métodos, cronograma, presupuesto y plan de divulgación. Utilice nuestra guía gratuita Guía Para Agricultores: Cómo Realizar Investigación en Su Campo para apoyarle en cada paso de este proceso
  • Envíe su solicitud antes de la fecha límite de su región. La mejor manera de evitar cualquier dificultad técnica es enviar su solicitud antes de la fecha límite y asegurarse de tener una cuenta activa en su plataforma.

Realice su investigación y comparta lo que aprende. Si se le otorga, llevará a cabo la investigación que ha descrito y luego informará los resultados, organizará actividades de divulgación y ayudará a construir el cuerpo de investigación aplicada y productores conectados de la región.

SARE en acción

En todo el país, los proyectos anteriores financiados por SARE han examinado una amplia gama de temas. En la región occidental, algunos proyectos financiados analizan el control orgánico de plagas en la producción de carne de cerdo de pastoreo y el manejo de ácaros varroa para apicultores en Hawái. Estos son proyectos tangibles impulsados por agricultores que responden preguntas reales y crean recursos resilientes que otros pueden usar, exactamente el tipo de trabajo que esta beca pretende apoyar.

Conclusión

La investigación dirigida por agricultores no es solo una buena idea; Es esencial para avanzar en sistemas de producción orgánica que sean resilientes, rentables y arraigados en la administración ecológica. Con este kit de herramientas y el Programa de Becas para Agricultores/Ganaderos de SARE actualizado, esperamos que vea un camino claro para convertir sus ideas en acción.

Cuando las buenas ideas no se mantienen reprimidas, sino que se difunden y comparten abundantemente dentro de las comunidades, es cuando ocurre el cambio real.

Toda esta información se resume en un PDF imprimible y descargable.

first page of a SARE info flyer created by OFRF in Spanish
visual of the second page of a SARE flyer made by OFRF

By |2026-06-15T10:59:00-04:00October 30th, 2025|News, TOPP West|
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Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP): Insurance Options for Organic and Transitioning Growers

Versión en español a continuación.

New farmer-friendly resource breaks down how to access whole-farm insurance coverage.

Organic and transitioning-to-organic producers face unique risks that aren’t always covered by traditional crop insurance. Fortunately, USDA’s Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) program was designed with small-scale and diverse operations in mind, offering flexible, revenue-based coverage for farms of all sizes, including those growing specialty and organic crops.

To help farmers better understand and access this program, OFRF has developed a new Whole-Farm Revenue Protection toolkit with support from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) in the West/Southwest, Northwest, and Plains regions. This free resource is tailored to organic and transitioning producers and includes a clear overview of program benefits, eligibility, application steps, and key considerations, like how commodities are counted and what paperwork to prepare.

What is WFRP?

harvested vegetables at Green Things Farm Collective in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Harvested vegetables at Green Things Farm Collective in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The farm participated in OFRF’s Farmer-Led Trials program in 2024, examining the impact that row spacing of direct-seeded crops had on marketable crop yields.

WFRP is a federally approved crop insurance option that protects your entire farm’s expected revenue, not just the yield of a single crop. Designed with organic, specialty, and mixed operations in mind, it allows farmers to insure up to $17 million in revenue under one policy. 

It covers losses from natural disasters, market fluctuations, or pest and disease issues, and offers premium assistance for diversified farms. WFRP covers most operational costs, excluding post-harvest expenses like value-added processing. This program is also one of the few insurance options that values organic crops at organic market prices—a major benefit for organic farmers, provided they have certification or transition documentation. 

For farms with annual revenue under $350,000, the Micro Farm Policy offers a simplified option with easier paperwork requirements.

Why WFRP Matters

Unlike traditional insurance programs focused on yield, WFRP protects your expected revenue, not just production. This makes it ideal for operations with mixed crops and animals, especially when market value plays a bigger role than raw yield.

It is also available in all 50 states and can be used alongside other crop insurance policies.

Quick Facts About WFRP

  • Can cover up to 85% of your operation’s predicted revenue for the policy year.
  • Provides incentives for diverse commodities by offering higher premium discounts when policies cover at least two commodities; WFRP offers an 80% subsidy coverage from the USDA.
  • Covers high-value specialty crops that lack standard crop insurance, including organic herbs, organic eggs, and organic poultry.
  • Organic crops are valued at organic market price.
  • Provides up to 20% of expected revenue to cover replanting costs if at least 20% or 20 acres of an insured annual crop are destroyed or fail to establish due to a covered cause.
  • Allows carryover loss coverage if the insured is covered for the next year and a covered event decreases farm revenue over multiple years.
  • WFRP can be combined with or supplemented by other crop insurance policies.

2026 WFRP Spring Filing Dates*

  • Sales closing dates are February 28, March 15 and April 15, 2026.
  • Production reporting due date is April 29, 2026.
  • Acreage report deadline is July 15, 2026. 
  • Premium billing date is August 15, 2026. 
  • Harvest price is announced November 5, 2026. 

*Dates will vary by crop and location, please check with the local Risk Management Agency to confirm.

How to Get Started with WFRP

Applying for WFRP begins with reviewing your policy options, gathering paperwork, and connecting with your local RMA crop insurance agent. The steps are outlined in our printable flyer (image and link below) for easy reference. For farmers unfamiliar with the process, here’s a closer look at the documents you’ll need to prepare.

What paperwork is needed?

Even if you’re new to crop insurance, don’t worry—your insurance agent will help walk you through the forms. That said, having these documents ready will make your application process smoother and more accurate.

  • The last 5 years of IRS 1040 Schedule F Tax Forms.
    This is your farm’s income and expense tax form. WFRP uses it to calculate your average revenue. If you don’t have five years of records, the program allows flexibility, so just bring what you have from recent years.
  • The last 5 years of your Whole-Farm History
    This form documents the operation’s allowable revenue for each tax year used to determine your farm’s whole-farm historic average revenue. It can include digital or handwritten sales records such as point-of-sale (POS) reports, CSA sales logs, and receipts or invoices from markets or wholesale buyers. View examples on page 128 of the program’s handbook.
  • The last 5 years of Farm Operation Report
    This form outlines the commodities you expect to earn revenue from during the insurance period. It helps if you have at least two strong producing commodities that make the majority of your revenue. View an example on page 148 of the program’s handbook.
  • Organic certification
    If you’re certified organic, bring a copy of your certificate. If you’re in transition, you may still qualify for organic pricing if certification is expected by the acreage reporting deadline (usually July 15). Ask your agent what documentation is acceptable.

A few extra notes:

  • If you have less than 5 years of history for any of the forms above, talk to your insurance agent—there are options for newer farms.
  • Once enrolled, it is important to keep your Farm Operation Report updated throughout the year as things change. 
  • If you suspect a revenue loss from a covered event, you must notify your insurer within 72 hours of that event.
  • Because WFRP is revenue-based, losses may not be obvious right away. Track your sales and compare them to your expected revenue regularly to stay ahead of potential claims.

Understanding How Commodities Are Counted

WFRP uses expected revenue (not just crop type) to determine what counts as a commodity. The number of distinct commodities you grow influences your coverage level, with two or more qualifying commodities unlocking higher support. 

To count, each product must meet a minimum revenue threshold. Products can be combined and counted as one to help meet that threshold.

WFRP in Action

As of 2024, WFRP had its second-highest year of participation ever, with over 2,200 farms enrolled. And with recent improvements to reduce paperwork and broaden eligibility, more organic and transitioning producers are taking advantage of the program.

Explore your options and start preparing today. 

visual of front side of WFRP information flyer created by OFRF
visual of back side of WFRP information flyer created by OFRF

Programa de Protección de Ingresos para Toda la Granja (WFRP)

El nuevo kit de herramientas ayuda a los agricultores orgánicos y en transición a acceder a la cobertura de seguro para toda la granja.

Los productores orgánicos y en transición a lo orgánico enfrentan riesgos únicos que no siempre están cubiertos por el seguro de cultivos tradicional. Afortunadamente, el programa de Protección de Ingresos para Toda la Granja (WFRP, por sus siglas en inglés) del USDA se diseñó teniendo en cuenta las operaciones diversas y a pequeña escala, ofreciendo una cobertura flexible y basada en los ingresos para granjas de todos los tamaños, incluidas las que cultivan cultivos especializados y orgánicos.

Para ayudar a los agricultores a comprender y acceder mejor a este programa, OFRF ha desarrollado un nuevo kit de herramientas para la Protección de Ingresos para Toda la Granja con el apoyo del Programa de Asociación para la Transición a Orgánico (TOPP) en la región Oeste/Suroeste. Este recurso gratuito está diseñado para productores orgánicos y en transición e incluye una descripción clara de los beneficios del programa, la elegibilidad, los pasos de solicitud y las consideraciones clave, como cómo se cuentan la mercancía y qué documentación preparar.

¿Qué es el Programa de Protección de Ingresos para Toda la Granja (WFRP)?

WFRP es una opción de seguro de cosechas aprobada por el gobierno federal que protege los ingresos esperados de toda su granja, no solo el rendimiento de un solo cultivo. Diseñado teniendo en cuenta las operaciones orgánicas, especializadas y mixtas, permite a los agricultores asegurar hasta $17 millones en ingresos bajo una sola póliza.

Cubre pérdidas por desastres naturales, fluctuaciones del mercado o problemas de plagas y enfermedades, y ofrece asistencia premium para granjas diversificadas. WFRP cubre la mayoría de los costos operativos, excluyendo los gastos posteriores a la cosecha, como el procesamiento de valor agregado. Este programa también es una de las pocas opciones de seguro que valora los cultivos orgánicos a precios de mercado orgánico, un beneficio importante para los agricultores orgánicos, siempre que tengan certificación o documentación de transición.

 Para las granjas con ingresos anuales inferiores a $350,000, la póliza de micro granja ofrece una opción simplificada con requisitos de papeleo más fáciles.

¿Por qué es importante WFRP?

A diferencia de los programas de seguros tradicionales centrados en el rendimiento, WFRP protege sus ingresos esperados, no solo la producción. Esto lo hace ideal para operaciones con cultivos y animales mixtos, especialmente cuando el valor de mercado juega un papel más importante que el rendimiento bruto.

También está disponible en los 50 estados y se puede utilizar junto con otras pólizas de seguro de cultivos.

Datos breves sobre WFRP

  • Puede cubrir hasta el 85% de los ingresos previstos de su operación para el año de la póliza.
  • Proporciona incentivos para diversos productos al ofrecer descuentos más altos en las primas cuando las pólizas cubren al menos dos productos; WFRP ofrece una cobertura de subsidio del 80% del USDA.
  • Cubre cultivos especializados de alto valor que carecen de seguro de cosecha estándar, incluidas hierbas orgánicas, huevos orgánicos y aves de corral orgánicas.
  • Los cultivos orgánicos se valoran a precio de mercado orgánico.
  • Proporciona hasta el 20% de los ingresos esperados para cubrir los costos de replantación si al menos el 20% o 20 acres de un cultivo anual asegurado se destruyen o no se establecen debido a una causa cubierta.
  • Permite la cobertura de pérdidas arrastradas si el asegurado está cubierto durante el próximo año y un evento cubierto disminuye los ingresos de la granja durante varios años.
  • El WFRP puede combinarse o complementarse con otras pólizas de seguro de cultivos.

Cómo empezar con WFRP

La solicitud de WFRP comienza con la revisión de sus opciones de póliza, la recopilación de documentación y la conexión con su agente local de seguros de cultivos de RMA. Los pasos se describen en nuestro folleto imprimible (imagen y enlace a continuación) para facilitar la referencia. Para los agricultores que no están familiarizados con el proceso, aquí hay un vistazo más de cerca a los documentos que deberá preparar.

¿Qué documentación se necesita?

Incluso si es nuevo en el seguro de cultivos, no se preocupe, su agente de seguros le ayudará a guiarle a través de los formularios. Dicho esto, tener estos documentos listos hará que su proceso de solicitud sea más fluido y preciso.

  • Los últimos 5 años de los formularios de impuestos del IRS 1040 Anexo F.
    Este es el formulario de impuestos sobre la renta y los gastos de su granja. WFRP lo utiliza para calcular sus ingresos promedio. Si no tiene cinco años de registros, el programa permite flexibilidad, solo traiga lo que tenga de los últimos años.
  • Los últimos 5 años de su historial de su granja
    Este formulario documenta los ingresos permitidos de la operación para cada año fiscal, utilizado para determinar los ingresos promedio históricos de su granja. Puede incluir registros de ventas digitales o escritos a mano, como informes de punto de venta (POS), registros de ventas de CSA y recibos o facturas de mercados o compradores mayoristas. Véanse los ejemplos en la página 128 del manual del programa.
  • Los últimos 5 años de Informe de Operaciones Agrícolas
    Este formulario describe los productos básicos de los que espera obtener ingresos durante el período del seguro. Es útil si tiene al menos dos productos básicos de producción fuerte que generan la mayor parte de sus ingresos. Vea un ejemplo en la página 148 del manual del programa.
  • Certificación orgánica
    Si estás certificado como orgánico, traiga una copia de su certificado. Si se encuentra en transición, es posible que aún califique para los precios orgánicos si se espera la certificación antes de la fecha límite de presentación de informes sobre la superficie cultivada (generalmente el 15 de julio). Pregúntele a su agente qué documentación es aceptable.

Algunas notas adicionales:

  • Si tiene menos de 5 años de historial para cualquiera de los formularios anteriores, hable con su agente de seguros: hay opciones para granjas más nuevas.
  • Una vez inscrito, es importante mantener actualizado su Informe de Operaciones Agrícolas durante todo el año a medida que las cosas cambian. 
  • Si sospecha de una pérdida de ingresos por un evento cubierto, debe notificar a su aseguradora dentro de las 72 horas posteriores a ese evento.
  • Debido a que el WFRP se basa en los ingresos, es posible que las pérdidas no sean obvias de inmediato. Realice un seguimiento de sus ventas y compárelas con sus ingresos esperados con regularidad para adelantarse a posibles reclamaciones.

Comprender cómo se cuenta la mercadería

WFRP utiliza los ingresos esperados (no solo el tipo de cultivo) para determinar qué cuenta como mercadería. La cantidad de mercadería distinta que cultiva influye en su nivel de cobertura, y dos o más mercaderías calificadas desbloquean un soporte más alto. 

Para que se cuente, cada producto debe cumplir un umbral mínimo de ingresos. Los productos se pueden combinar y contar como uno solo para ayudar a alcanzar ese umbral.

WFRP en acción

A partir de 2024, WFRP tuvo su segundo año más alto de participación, con más de 2,200 granjas inscritas. Y con las recientes mejoras para reducir el papeleo y ampliar la elegibilidad, más productores orgánicos y en transición están aprovechando el programa.

Explore sus opciones y comience a prepararse hoy con nuestro kit de herramientas para la protección de ingresos para toda la granja.

visual of front side of Spanish WFRP information flyer created by OFRF
visual of back side of Spanish WFRP information flyer created by OFRF

By |2026-02-25T10:04:13-05:00July 14th, 2025|Federal Assistance, News, Spanish Resources, TOPP West|
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