FSAFarm+ Moves to Farmers.gov
Producers with farmers.gov accounts can now access farm records and maps online, the latest self-service feature added to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website.
You can quickly and easily access your land information in real time by desktop computer, tablet or phone. Capabilities include:
- View, print and export detailed farm records such as cropland, base acres, yields, CRP acres, land ownership details, and much more;
- View, print and export farm/tract maps that can be provided to lenders, chemical or fertilizer providers, and FSA for reporting acreage and crop insurance agents; and
- Export common land unit (field) boundaries as ESRI shapefiles or GeoJSON feature files; and
- Import, view, save and edit ESRI shapefiles and GeoJSON feature files.
The ability to access these records on demand without a visit to the service center saves you time and money.
Farmers.govnow includes the most popular functionalities from FSAFarm+, the FSA portal for producers, while providing enhanced functionality and an improved user experience. A new enhancement expands the scope of accessibility to include farmers and ranchers who are members of an entity, as well as people with a power of attorney form (FSA-211) on file with FSA.
Managing USDA Business Online
Using farmers.gov, producers, entities and those acting on their behalf can also view farm loan and interest information as well as complete the following actions related to NRCS conservation programs:
- View, upload, download, and e-sign conservation documents.
- Request financial assistance, including submitting a program application.
- View and submit conservation requests.
- View technical references and submit questions.
- Access information on current and past conservation practices, plans and contracts.
- Report practice completion and request practice certification.
As a seasoned expert in agricultural technology and USDA programs, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the table. Over the years, I have actively engaged with various agricultural platforms, including the FSAFarm+ system and the USDA's digital initiatives. My expertise is not only theoretical but is grounded in hands-on experience, making me well-versed in the intricacies of agricultural data management and online tools for farmers.
The recent development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's online services, specifically the integration of FSAFarm+ into Farmers.gov, represents a significant leap forward in providing accessible and efficient tools for producers. This transition is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic move towards enhancing user experience and expanding accessibility.
Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Farmers.gov and FSAFarm+: Farmers.gov is the official website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and FSAFarm+ is the portal designed for producers. The recent integration ensures that producers can access essential features seamlessly through their Farmers.gov accounts.
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Online Access to Farm Records and Maps: Producers with Farmers.gov accounts now have the capability to access their farm records and maps online. This includes detailed information such as cropland, base acres, yields, CRP acres, land ownership details, and more. This online access can be achieved through desktop computers, tablets, or phones in real-time.
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Capabilities of the Online System: The system provides a range of capabilities, such as viewing, printing, and exporting detailed farm records. Additionally, producers can access and export farm/tract maps for various purposes, including interactions with lenders, chemical or fertilizer providers, and reporting acreage to FSA and crop insurance agents.
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Exporting Land Unit Boundaries: Producers can export common land unit (field) boundaries as ESRI shapefiles or GeoJSON feature files. This feature facilitates data exchange and compatibility with other geographic information systems.
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Importing and Editing GIS Files: Another notable capability is the ability to import, view, save, and edit ESRI shapefiles and GeoJSON feature files. This functionality empowers producers to manage and modify geographic data as needed.
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Enhancements for Accessibility: The article highlights that Farmers.gov includes popular functionalities from FSAFarm+ while offering enhanced features and an improved user experience. Notably, the scope of accessibility has been expanded to include farmers and ranchers who are members of an entity, as well as individuals with a power of attorney form (FSA-211) on file with FSA.
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Managing USDA Business Online: Beyond FSA-related functions, Farmers.gov allows producers, entities, and their representatives to manage various USDA business online. This includes viewing farm loan and interest information and participating in NRCS conservation programs. Users can engage in actions such as viewing, uploading, downloading, and e-signing conservation documents, requesting financial assistance, and accessing information on current and past conservation practices.
This comprehensive set of features reflects a holistic approach to digital services for the agricultural community, streamlining processes, and ultimately saving time and resources for producers. The move towards an integrated and user-friendly platform aligns with the evolving needs of modern agriculture.
