FAIRFIELD/PERRY COUNTY SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2026

The following information was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

USDA Enhances Grape Coverage Options in Michigan and Ohio

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced it is enhancing Federal crop insurance options for grape producers in Michigan and Ohio. Beginning with the 2027 crop year, these updates will expand grape coverage into additional counties across both states and allow producers to receive variety-specific pricing and optional units, rather than relying on the broader type groupings currently in place.

Counties receiving coverage for Native and Hybrid varieties include:

Michigan: Cass and Kalamazoo

Ohio: Ashland, Coshocton, Fairfield, Geauga, Holmes, Medina, Sandusky, Stark, Summit and Wayne

Counties receiving coverage for Native, Hybrid, and Vinifera varieties include:

Michigan: Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Berrien, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Muskegon, Oceana and Van Buren

Ohio: Ashtabula, Brown, Erie, Lake and Lorain

Separating grape varieties allows producers to benefit from pricing and yield data specific to each type. As part of these updates, producers will need to maintain individual actual production history (APH) databases for each type and practice.

Producers are encouraged to contact their crop insurance agent for more information. The sales closing date for the grape insurance program in Michigan and Ohio is Nov. 20, 2026.

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Obtaining Payments Due to Deceased Producers

In order to claim a Farm Service Agency (FSA) payment on behalf of a deceased producer, all program conditions for the payment must have been met before the applicable producer's date of death. If a producer earned an FSA payment prior to his or her death, the following is the order of precedence for the representatives of the producer:

administrator or executor of the estate

the surviving spouse

surviving sons and daughters, including adopted children

surviving father and mother

surviving brothers and sisters

heirs of the deceased person who would be entitled to payment according to the State law

For FSA to release the payment, the legal representative of the deceased producer must file a form FSA-325 to claim the payment for themselves or an estate. The county office will verify that the application, contract, loan agreement, or other similar form requesting payment issuance, was signed by the applicable deadline by the deceased or a person legally authorized to act on their behalf at that time of application.

If the application, contract or loan agreement form was signed by someone other than the deceased participant, FSA will determine whether the person submitting the form has the legal authority to submit the form.

Payments will be issued to the respective representative's name using the deceased program participant's tax identification number. Payments made to representatives are subject to offset regulations for debts owed by the deceased.

FSA is not responsible for advising persons in obtaining legal advice on how to obtain program benefits that may be due to a participant who has died, disappeared or who has been declared incompetent.

Update Your Records

FSA is cleaning up our producer record database and needs your help. Please report any changes of address, zip code, phone number, email address or an incorrect name or business name on file to our office. You should also report changes in your farm operation, like the addition of a farm by lease or purchase. You should also report any changes to your operation in which you reorganize to form a Trust, LLC or other legal entity.

FSA and NRCS program participants are required to promptly report changes in their farming operation to the County Committee in writing and to update their Farm Operating Plan on form CCC-902. To update your records, contact your Fairfield/County County USDA Service Center at 740-653-1500.

USDA Farm Loan Program Changes Now in Effect

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) updates to the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Farm Loan Programs are officially in effect. These changes, part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, are designed to increase financial flexibility for agricultural producers, allowing them to grow their operations, boost profitability, and build long-term savings.

These program updates reflect USDA's ongoing commitment to supporting the financial success and resilience of farmers and ranchers nationwide, offering critical tools to help borrowers manage their finances more effectively.

What the new rules mean for you:

Low-interest installment set-aside program: Financially distressed borrowers can now defer up to one annual loan payment at a reduced interest rate. This simplified option helps ease financial pressure while keeping farming operations running smoothly.

Flexible repayment terms: New repayment options give borrowers the ability to increase their cash flow and build working capital reserves, allowing for long-term financial planning that includes saving for retirement, education, and other future needs.

Reduced collateral requirements: FSA has lowered the amount of additional loan security needed for direct farm loans, making it easier for borrowers to leverage their existing equity without putting their personal residence at risk.

These new rules provide more financial freedom to borrowers. By giving farmers and ranchers better tools to manage their operations, we're helping them build long-term financial stability. It's all about making sure they can keep their land, grow their business, and invest in the future.

Dates to Remember

September 30 ---- Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage 1 and Stage 2 Deadline.

September 30 ---- Deadline to obtain 2027 NAP coverage for Aquaculture, Christmas trees, Floriculture, Ginseng, Mushrooms, Turf grass Sod and Watercress.

October 12 -------- Columbus Day Holiday. USDA Service Centers are Closed.

Early November - County committee ballots mailed to voters.

November 11 ----- Veterans Day Holiday. USDA Service Centers are Closed.

November 20 ----- Last day to apply for coverage for asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, chestnuts, forage for hay and pasture, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, honey, hops and maple syrup.

November 26 ----- Thanksgiving Day Holiday. USDA Service Centers are Closed.

Ongoing Reminders:

Reports of Failed Acreage must be filed with the County Office before disposition of the crop.

Reports of Prevented Planting Acreage must be filed with the County Office no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date for that county and producers of hand-harvested crops and certain perishable crops must notify FSA within 72 hours of when a loss becomes apparent.

Contact FSA right away for notice of loss deadlines and disaster program requirements.

Applications can be submitted year around for Farm Service Agency Loan Programs.

Inform the office of bank account changes.

Inform the office if you have picked up or dropped any farm(s).

Inform the office of farm and cropland boundary changes.

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USDA Announces September 2026 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for September 2026, which are effective Sept. 1, 2026. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans FSA offers farm operating, ownership and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for September 2026 are as follows:

Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.250%

Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 6.000%

Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 4.000%

Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 2.000%

Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders. To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment. Loans that provide interim financing are also available to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low. Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 5.000%

Farm Storage Facility Loans:

Three-year loan terms: 4.250%

Five-year loan terms: 4.375%

Seven-year loan terms: 4.500%

Ten-year loan terms: 4.625%

Twelve-year loan terms: 4.875%

Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 5.000%

More Information

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Additionally, producers can use online tools, such as the Loan Assistance Tool and Debt Consolidation Tool to explore loan options.

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Fairfield/Perry County USDA Service Center

831 College Ave. Suite A

Lancaster, Ohio 43130

Phone: 740-653-1500

Contact your local FSA farm program or farm loan office:

fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator

FSA County Executive Director

Kristi Riddle 740-653-1500 Kristi.riddle@usda.gov

NRCS District Conservationist - Fairfield County

Dave Libben 740-415-3921 Dave.libben@usda.gov

Farm Loan Manager

Jeremy Hamilton 740-454-2824 Jeremy.hamilton@usda.gov

NRCS District Conservationist Perry County

Joe Koehler 740-743-1616 Joe.koehler@usda.gov