Passing this on from our Cornell colleague Liz Higgins. -TB

I am emailing this directly to our entire program email list because we just learned about a new USDA FSA payment program for specialty crop farms to help offset their high costs of labor and inputs. I had this in my newsletter a couple of days ago, but constant contact seems to go to people’s spam folders and the program is only available from December 10-January 8, 2025. This is not a grant or a loan and the payment is based on your sales revenue for the eligible crops.

If you are a commercial specialty crop farm (fruit, vegetable, nuts, Christmas trees, nursery crops, floriculture, honey, hops, maple, herbs) you are probably eligible for a one-time payment from USDA-FSA based on your 2023 or 2024 sales (calendar year). The payment will be based on your revenue from either 2023 or 2024, for the eligible crops. NAP Payments and Crop Insurance Indemnities count as revenue for the applicable crop year (Note from Liz – Since the payment is based on sales revenue it is to your advantage to choose the year with the highest revenue).

To apply, contact your local USDA FSA office. You will need to fill in an application and if you have not done business with USDA FSA, you may have other paperwork that you need to complete. They provided information on the factsheet about the documentation that is needed.

I have attached the fact sheet for this program that USDA has provided. Please share this with growers that you work with (if you are not a farmer) or with other farms. Help spread the word about this unusual opportunity!

Sincerely,

Liz Higgins, Ag Business Specialist

Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program

FSA_MASC_FACTSHEET1_24c_0.pdf

Live Webinar Series on Farm Succession and Transfer starting January 9th

Mike Ghia, VT Farm Viability Program

What is the future of your farm? If you are like most farmers, you are so busy with the day-to-day business of farming you find it difficult to take the time to plan ahead long-term, particularly planning for a transition from one generation to the next. It can be especially challenging during times of financial uncertainty. And it can difficult if there is not someone immediately lined up to take over the farm. At the same time, you probably have hopes for the future of your farm, and have thought some about what you would like to happen to your business and your land. With sound succession planning with concrete action steps, it is more likely that the goals and desires of all the generations involved can be met, and there is a greater likelihood that the farm will stay in farming.

The “Farm Succession Planning Webinar Series” is for farmers to learn about key issues, tools and resources to help them make informed decisions and take action steps towards transferring their farm to the next generation of their family or a non-family successor. Farmers will learn from professionals who can help in the process and from other farmers. Topics include retirement, financial, and estate planning, taxes, legal entities, and determining goals for retirement, business transitions, and your land. All generations, including family and non-family members, who may play a role in your farms future are encouraged to attend.

This series is organized by Land For Good, in partnership with the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board and will be held on 4 successive Thursday’s 11 am-1pm starting January 9th. For more info and to register, visit info for more information.

I have two ‘save the dates’ to get on your calendars for the 2025 winter meeting season:

1. The Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association / UVM Fruit Program 129th Annual meeting will be held at the American Legion in Middlebury, VT on Friday, February 21.
2. The New England Extension Fruit Consortium will again offer a series of online webinars in February and March. Topics will include: Basic Orchard Weed ID and Management; Bitter Rot and Sunburn Management; Apple Scab- What Happened in 2024?!; Common Retail Marketing Mistakes (and how to not make them); and Tree Fruit Cold Hardiness Updates. The NEFC team is working hard to get speakers lined up and will be coordinating credits for the sessions that qualify. More details coming soon! Registration details may be found at: https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/northeast-extension-fruit-consortium

Have a happy holiday season and I look forward to seeing everyone soon,

Terry

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Terence Bradshaw (he/him)
Associate Professor, Specialty Crops

Chair, Dept of Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment
(formerly Plant and Soil Science)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

University of Vermont
117/210 – Jeffords Hall | 63 Carrigan Dr
Burlington, VT 05405

(802) 922-2591 | tbradsha
https://go.uvm.edu/pssbradshaw

UVM Fruit Website | UVM Fruit Blog
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