Survey revolves around different USDA programs
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is encouraging American farmers to participate in a survey about some USDA programs and their experiences when using the programs.
The organization’s main reasons for administering the survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, are to advise the USDA on how programs can be improved and make them more useful and attractive for farmers to consider.
Questions in the survey include how long the participant has been farming, the commodities produced on the farm and specifics about certain USDA programs.
“Farmers and ranchers sometimes find it confusing and complex to participate in USDA programs,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said in a release. “At the same time, USDA staff are concerned that farmers and ranchers who could benefit from a number of different programs frequently do not apply.”
The survey will focus on 10 USDA programs administered by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development. The specific programs being explored are:
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program
- Conservation Stewardship Program
- Conservation Reserve Program
- Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
- Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants
- Rural Energy for America Program
- Farmers’ Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program
- Direct Farm Ownership Loans
- Direct Farm Operating Loans
- Guaranteed Farm Loans (farm operating and farm ownership)
Farmers across the United States are able to participate in the survey until Tuesday, March 15, 2016.