Farm Services Agency urges farmers & ranchers to sign up now for quick help in the future

By on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

WASHINGTON, D.C.(News release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture) The USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) encourages farmers and ranchers to create a Login.gov account now. Full FSA access requires identification verification which can take 7 to 10 business days for new customers. Login.gov is the secure, single sign-on account that gives you direct access to FSA services including disaster payments, farm program benefits, and loans quickly. Acting right away is important because worsening drought, wildfires, heat waves, and smoke have already caused big losses to crops and livestock.

Setting up a Login.gov account takes about 10 minutes. Once registered, you can use many U.S. federal and state government websites, including FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). You need an email address and a phone number for extra security. If you want to also access services like Social Security or Veterans Affairs, you’ll need ID documents, such as a state ID or Social Security number.

USDA programs help farmers recover from disasters like severe drought. Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought in a third of Oregon’s 36 counties. At least four more counties are waiting for approval.

FSA programs include:

  • The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land.
  • The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides eligible producers with compensation for above normal costs of hauling water and feed to livestock as well as transporting livestock to forage or other grazing acres.   
  • The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters including qualifying drought (includes native grass for grazing). Producers must have obtained NAP coverage for the crop year in which the loss occurs. 
  • The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers for qualifying tree, shrub and vine losses due to natural disasters including excessive wind and qualifying drought.   
  • The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)  provides landowners and forest stewards with financial assistance to restore damaged farmland and conservation structures or forests, including implementing emergency water conservation measures and replacing damaged irrigation systems.  
  • Emergency and non-emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres may be authorized to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by a severe drought. 
  • USDA Farm Loans provide a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and direct emergency farm loans, to producers unable to secure commercial financing. Loans can help producers replace essential property, purchase inputs like livestock, equipment, feed and seed, cover family living expenses, or refinance farm-related debts and other needs.  
  • Additionally, FSA has a variety of loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan debt to FSA because of reasons beyond their control. 

To find your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) please visit:

https://www.farmers.gov/your-business/urban-growers/urban-service-centers

Image supplied by Farm Service Agency

Elkhorn Media Group