USDA

Tractor spraying fertilizer — USDA’s REAP and FPEP programs were devised to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of clean energy, modernize equipment, adopt new technologies, build production plants and more.

USDA Invests $207 Million in Clean Energy and Domestic Fertilizer Projects

February 15, 2024

One of the program fund recipients is a Nebraska-based business that plans to construct a fully automated fertilizer facility.

Man touching wheat while walking through field — As part of the new collaboration, the CDFA-NASDA program will help rural communities understand the myriad of financing programs available to invest in socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and develop long-term access to capital programs and strategies.

New Program Aims to Help Socially Disadvantaged Ag Producers Access Capital

February 14, 2024

The program will assist underserved farmers and ranchers with finding affordable funding sources to start and grow their business.

Combine in corn field — Results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture are now available on the USDA NASS website.

USDA NASS Announces Release of 2022 Census of Agriculture

February 14, 2024

Though the numbers of farms in Nebraska was down slightly in 2022, the value of ag products has risen by 34% since 2017.

Farmer analyzing wheat stem — The National Agricultural Classification Survey seeks to identify individuals who produce and sell $1,000 of more of agricultural products in a calendar year, so that they may participate in the next Census of Agriculture.

USDA to Kick Off National Agricultural Classification Survey

February 2, 2024

The survey will go to approximately 250,000 recipients to ask if they conduct agricultural activity, ensuring that every U.S. producer has a voice and is counted in the 2027 ag census data.

Farmers Can Now Enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs for 2024 Crop Year

January 4, 2024

Extended for an additional year, the ARC and PLC programs will provide assistance to producers facing commodity market volatilities throughout the 2024 crop year.

Hardiness zone map for 2023 — USDA map for hardiness zones in Nebraska.

USDA ‘Hardiness’ Zone Sees Few Changes for Most of Nebraska

December 19, 2023

The new hardiness zone map for Nebraska has shifted the southernmost regions into a new zone — a refinement to the map due to a nearly doubled amount of available weather station data for the region.