What is the FSA and how do I get involved?
The Farm Service Agency (FSA), an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), supports farms and farming communities with programs and services including disaster relief, conservation programs, commodity price guarantee programs, cost share for certifications, and loan programs. Your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) serves as a resource hub for farmers & community gardeners to learn about opportunities from urban agriculture partners, farm visits, and more.
The FSA has opened pilot urban offices in 27 cities across the country, including New York City!
Farm School NYC has a 5-year cooperative agreement to increase awareness and effectiveness of FSA programs in New York City for urban growers as well as increasing representation of urban producers on the Urban County Committee and providing additional education and support to access FSA programs and services. Check out our Guide to Resources for Urban and Rural Growers and Take Action Now! to learn more about advocating against potential cuts to this funding.
Do you have already have experience with the FSA? Share your feedback here by 4/30/25!
Meet the 2025 NYC Urban County COMMITTEE here!
The New York City Urban County Committee (UCOC) leads and supervises the work of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Brooklyn office, supporting the FSA Executive Director with approval for loan programs and engaging the urban agriculture community for recommendations on improving existing programs and services. The UCOC members are urban growers representing their county in order to make recommendations on how the FSA can best serve the unique needs of urban agriculture.
Our team compiled a few videos below to share how you can get involved!
Are you an urban grower ready to engage with the FSA?
Check out the UCOC Info Sheet
Run for a seat on the committee or nominate a grower here
Register to vote here so you can work with these leaders in urban agriculture
To learn more about the UCOC, run for a position, and/or nominate an urban grower to the UCOC, email Mirem Villamil at Ana.Villamil@usda.gov.
When can I vote? Here are the election cycle details. Brooklyn growers, it’s your turn to vote!
Voter Registration: ongoing until Sept 5, 2025 (use a mailing address to receive your ballot!)
Nominations: July - August 1, 2025
Mail your ballot: before December 1, 2025
Brooklyn is up for election in 2025!
Manhattan and Staten Island in 2026
The Bronx and Queens in 2027
This video explains that Urban County Committee and how you can get involved!
This video explains how to vote and mail your ballot for UCOC elections!
FSA Resources
To start, take a look at our Guide to Resources for Urban and Rural Farmers which lists partners, engagement opportunities, funding sources and key terms!
You can watch this FSA 101 or Cornell Primer, which is a great overview of FSA resources for urban agriculture. This RAFI Webinar recording includes an overview of FSA loans, application process, and a Q&A section. See the collaboration with Catalyst Collaborative Farm on our Cultivating Connections Series Session 1 Recording.
Additional Tools & Resources
USDA's Urban Agriculture Programs at a Glance | Get Started at Your USDA Urban Service Center
Fact Sheets
Loan Support
USDA Loan Assistance Tool - a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process
Farm Loan Quick Application Guide - use this guide to better understand how to prepare for your first visit to a Service Center and apply for a loan
Equity at USDA
Get Started! A Guide to USDA Resources for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
Advancing Equity at FSA | Equity Action Plan
CCC-860 certification for historically underserved populations, veterans, women, and limited-resource producers - this is a self-certification that adjusts costs and payments on various programs for eligible producers, in some cases waiving or reducing fees, and increasing payment percentages (for NRCS as well). The Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) is free for historically underserved producers (basic coverage). There is funding set aside for loans to historically underserved populations.
Guidance for Heirs’ Property Operators Participating in Farm Service Agency (FSA) Programs
Representation on County Committees (7.17): Any county with more than a certain percentage of “socially disadvantaged” farmers registered in the NASS Ag Census (as determined each year by the National office) must appoint a 3-year, voting member to represent farmers from the “primary SDA group” that is underrepresented. Their duties are identical to those of elected members who represent a Local Administrative Area (LAA), with the expectation that they will support outreach to their communities. In 2023, more than 90 counties nationwide were required to appoint an SDA member. County Committees can also invite a non-voting advisor to join for a one-year term.
USDA Equity Commission | Equity Commission Final Report 2- 2024: At USDA, we acknowledge we have not done enough to provide all farmers and ranchers with an equal chance of success and prosperity. We are committed to changing that, actively working to build a USDA that ensures none of our customers are ignored or left behind.
Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers | Advisory Committee - Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
Federal Government Reports
Racial Equity in U.S. Farming: Background in Brief November 19, 2021 (Congressional Report)
Racial and Ethnic Equity in U.S. Agriculture: Selected Current Issues April 11, 2022 (Congressional Report)