SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER FROM THE SEWARD COUNTY USDA SERVICE CENTER

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

A Message from FSA CED Bishop

It's the start of Fall, and I know most of you already are busy with the beginning of harvest for our crop producers and the weaning of calves for our cattle producers. Please keep safety in mind as you go about all your activities.

For those of you who plant fall-seeded crops, remember to get in touch with us as soon as you are done with that task. The deadline for fall acreage certification is Nov. 16. While not required, we also encourage certification of any fall-planted cover crops.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance for losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance is available. The list of commodities covered under this program is large, so if you are raising a crop that you cannot purchase federal crop insurance for, please contact our office for information on NAP and whether it may be applicable to what you are raising. Please note deadlines for coverage for 2027 production for some crops are fast-approaching (for example, application for coverage deadline for alfalfa, mix forages and grass is Nov. 16). Contact us sooner rather than later to learn more about NAP and apply.

USDA just announced the opening of the election and enrollment periods for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2026 and 2027 crop years. This announcement also included final information on base acre allocation. Please read this news release for more details.

Whether it is an appointment for fall acreage certification, NAP application, ARC/PLC election and enrollment or some other need with our office, please note we have a new option for you to schedule your own appointment with us by using our online Bookings calendar. Find our office at the new FSA County Office locator that is searchable by state and by county. You'll note the "Make an Appointment" option on our contact page. From there, you can select the appropriate topic for which you'd like to meet with us and find a time available that works in to your schedule. The Bookings system will automatically send a confirmation email to you once your appointment is made, along with reminder emails leading up to the meeting. It's a quick way to schedule time with our office that is dedicated to you and your FSA needs.

While this online Bookings appointment calendar provides a great new option, please also know you are still welcome to call our office to schedule an appointment for service. We are always happy to help you.

That's all for this month. Best wishes for a successful and safe harvest season.

CED Bishop

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Book Appointments Online with the Seward County FSA Office

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is putting farmers first by offering a new option to schedule appointments online with the Seward County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Following a successful pilot program, FSA is using a digital appointment platform across the agency to allow producers to conveniently make farm program or farm loan program appointments online.

Appointments can be scheduled through FSA's digital platform, Microsoft Bookings, using a mobile device, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. To assist producers in finding their local FSA office to make an appointment, FSA has also launched a new FSA County Office locator that is searchable by state and by county. Each county office contact page has a unique link for producers to make an appointment online and shows contact information for the local FSA office and the farm loan team. Scheduled appointments may be in-person or virtual with the local FSA office depending on producer preference.

Producers can conveniently schedule appointments for a variety of services with both farm program and farm loan staff. The Microsoft Bookings-based system will automatically send a confirmation email to the producer along with reminder emails for upcoming appointments.

Producers still have the option to call the Seward County FSA Office at (402) 643-4586 or visit in person to make an appointment.

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USDA Expands Payment Limitation and Payment Eligibility Provisions for Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expanding payment limitation and payment eligibility provisions that affect program payments including allowing for the equitable treatment of business entities. Additionally, producers will benefit from an increased payment limitation for certain programs, and a broader definition of farming income that will result in more exceptions to income limitations.

Payment Eligibility

Starting with the 2026 crop year, for payment eligibility purposes, FSA will treat applicable limited liability companies (LLCs) and S-Corporations (S-Corps), and other similar entities, as "pass through entities." Each member of the qualified pass-through entity who meets actively engaged in farming criteria will help qualify the entity for expanded payments.

Previously, farm operations that were structured as an LLC or an S-Corp were limited to a single payment limitation, which varies by program. Now, partnerships, S-Corps, qualifying LLCs, and joint ventures or general partnerships will be treated the same.

For the 2026 program year only, FSA will look at entity structures as of Sept. 15, 2026, to ensure that payment eligibility and payment limitation determinations align. Producers who report farm operating plan changes after Sept. 15, 2026, will be required to provide additional documentation proving changes were made by Sept. 15. After program year 2026, FSA will continue to use June 1 as the date for determining ownership interest in an entity. Producers who have crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage should contact their crop insurance agent or local FSA office before restructuring their farm operation to ensure appropriate timing for restructuring without impacting current insurance coverage.

Members of qualified pass-through entities must provide contributions and be engaged in farming for the entity to be considered actively engaged in farming.

An additional change allows members of all entity types to receive compensation for labor and management contributions and use the same contribution to qualify as "actively engaged in farming." This update provides consistent treatment of member contributions across all entity types.

Payment Limitation and Attribution

Payment limitation changes include an increased payment limit for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. Starting with crop year 2025, the ARC and PLC payment limit will increase from $125,000 to $155,000. This payment limit will be adjusted going forward annually based on inflation.

Payment limitations are the maximum amount that a person or legal entity can receive for any crop year, directly or indirectly, through certain USDA programs. The same maximum payment limitation that applied to joint ventures and general partnerships will apply to qualified pass-through entities.

The policy change to payment limitation calculations takes effect beginning with program year 2026 for all qualified pass-through entities.

Average Adjusted Gross Income

The Working Families Tax Cuts Act broadened the definition of farming income to be more reflective of modern agricultural business practices. As a result, diversified producers will not be penalized under USDA's requirements for average adjusted gross income (AGI).

Producers are exempt from the $900,000 AGI cap for conservation and disaster programs if at least 75% of their average gross income is from farming, ranching, or silviculture, which now includes agri-tourism, direct-to-consumer sales, and certain equipment sales.

Additionally, qualified pass-through entities are not required to certify compliance with the average AGI limitation at the entity level. However, members individually must meet average AGI requirements, which is the same requirement for joint operations.

Producers should contact their local FSA county office for more information or to update their farm operating plan by the Sept. 15, 2026, deadline for the 2026 program year.

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Applying for Youth Loans

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes loans to youth to establish and operate agricultural income-producing projects in connection with 4-H clubs, FFA, tribal organizations and other agricultural groups. Projects must be planned and operated with the help of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience. The maximum loan amount is $10,000.

Youth Loan Eligibility Requirements:

Be a citizen of the United States (which includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) or a legal resident alien

Be 10 years to 20 years of age

Comply with FSA's general eligibility requirements

Conduct a modest income-producing project in a supervised program of work as outlined above

Demonstrate capability of planning, managing and operating the project under guidance and assistance from a project advisor. The project supervisor must recommend the youth loan applicant, along with providing adequate supervision.

For help preparing the application forms, contact the Butler County USDA Service Center Farm Loan Department at 402-367-3074.

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NRCS in Nebraska Accepting Applications for Conservation Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to put Farmers First through a historic investment in conservation on agricultural lands through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as a result of the conservation funding provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

NRCS in Nebraska is encouraging producers interested in conserving natural resources and keeping their operations productive, profitable and sustainable for future generations to contact their local NRCS office.

While NRCS accepts applications year-round, interested agricultural producers in Nebraska should apply by October 16, 2026, to be considered for fiscal year 2027 funding. Programs include:

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): The Agricultural Land Easement component of ACEP enables producers to protect their agricultural land from development by enrolling it in a permanent Agricultural Land Easement. The Wetland Reserve Easement component of ACEP helps landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): CSP helps producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): EQIP provides producers with the technical and financial resources they need to address resources concerns on their land including improved water and air quality, increased soil health, reduced soil erosion, improved natural vitality and more.

NRCS is also providing additional financial assistance nationwide through the Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP), which enables producers to implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application for EQIP and CSP. NRCS provides one-on-one, technical advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs.

For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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Dates to Remember

Sept. 30, 2026 FSA deadline for applications to the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, Stages 1 and 2

Sept. 30, 2026 FSA deadline for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) applications for coverage for rye, triticale, winter wheat in the 2027 production season

Oct. 12, 2026 USDA Service Centers closed for federal holiday

Nov. 16, 2026 FSA acreage reporting deadline for fall-seeded crops for 2027 program eligibility (including NAP)

Nov. 16, 2026 NAP application closing deadline for coverage for alfalfa, grass and mixed forages in the 2027 production season

***Please note any above NAP calendar reference may not be inclusive for all NAP-covered crops; NAP participants should contact their County FSA Office to confirm important program deadlines.

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September FSA Interest Rates

OPERATING/OWNERSHIP

Farm Operating: 5.250%

Farm Ownership: 6%

Farm Ownership - Joint Financing: 4%

Farm Ownership - Down Payment: 2%

Emergency - Actual Loss: 3.75%

FARM STORAGE FACILITY LOAN

3-year term: 4.250%

5-year term: 4.375%

7-year term: 4.5%

10-year term: 4.625%

12-year term: 4.875%

MARKETING ASSISTANCE

Commodity Loan: 5%

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Seward USDA Service Center

1940 N Highway 15

Seward, NE 68434

Phone: 402-643-4586

Fax: 1-855-795-3591

FSA County Executive Director

Taylor Bishop 402-643-4586 ext. 2 taylor.bishop@usda.gov

Seward County FSA Committee

Adam Hladky - Chairperson

Paul Segner - Vice Chairperson

Caleb Schroeder - Member

Lyndsy Schulz - Advisor

NRCS Resource Conservationist

Kimberly O'Connell 402-643-4586 ext. 3 kimberly.oconnell@usda.gov

Farm Loan Manager

Katherine Rohren 402-367-3074 ext. 3 katherine.rohren@usda.gov

Next county committee meeting: November 10, 2026