 Bedford County, VA Newsletter - January 16, 2026 In This Issue:  USDA recently announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program available in all 50 states to assist American farmers in adopting practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening the nation's food and fiber supply. Administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this new program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. During Fiscal Year 2026, the Regenerative Pilot Program will focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this first year of regenerative agriculture projects. Learn more about the Regenerative Pilot Program. | Top of page  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the launch of the Debt Consolidation Tool, an innovative online tool available through farmers.gov that allows agricultural producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might be provided by obtaining a debt consolidation loan with USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) or a local lender. A debt consolidation loan is a new loan used to pay off other existing operating loans or lines of credit that might have unreasonable rates and terms. By combining multiple eligible debts into a single, larger loan, borrowers may obtain more favorable payment terms such as a lower interest rate or lower payments. Consolidating debt may also provide farmers and ranchers additional cash flow flexibilities. The Debt Consolidation Tool is a significant addition to FSA's suite of improvements designed to modernize its Farm Loan Programs. The tool enhances customer service and increases opportunities for farmers and ranchers to achieve financial viability by helping them identify potential savings that could be reinvested in their farming and ranching operation, retirement accounts, or college savings accounts. Producers can access the Debt Consolidation Tool by visiting farmers.gov/debt-consolidation-tool. The tool is built to run on modern browsers including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or the Safari browser. Producers do not need to create a farmers.gov account or access the authenticated customer portal to use the tool. USDA encourages producers to reach out to their local FSA farm loan staff to ensure they fully understand the wide range of loan and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining their agricultural operation. To conduct business with FSA, please contact your local USDA Service Center. | USDA Bedford County Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of approaching application deadlines for purchasing risk coverage for some crops through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops impacted by natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses, or prevented crop planting. NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass and more. Upcoming application deadlines for NAP coverage in Bedford County for the 2026 production season include: - Mixed Forage Hay and Pasture, Sweet Corn, Pumpkins, Millet, Sorghum Forage, Sudan Grass, Tomatoes, etc. Sign up Deadline February 17, 2026.
NAP basic coverage is available at 55% of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is available in some cases. NAP offers higher levels of coverage, ranging from 50% to 65% of expected production in 5% increments, at 100% of the average market price. Producers of organic crops and crops marketed directly to consumers also may exercise the "buy-up" option to obtain NAP coverage of 100% of the average market price at coverage levels ranging between 50% and 65% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is not available for crops intended for grazing. For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Premiums apply for buy-up coverage. If a producer has a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (form CCC-860) on file with FSA, it may serve as an application for basic coverage for all eligible crops beginning with crop year 2022. These producers will have all NAP-related service fees for basic coverage waived. These producers may also receive a 50% premium reduction if higher levels of coverage are elected on form CCC-471, prior to the application closing date for each crop. To learn more about NAP visit fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local USDA Service Center at 540-586-9646 x 2. Top of page  | | The 2025 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections will begin on January 5, 2026, when ballots are mailed to eligible voters. The deadline to return ballots to local FSA offices, or to be postmarked, is February 2, 2026. County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive, indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws. To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must: - Be of legal voting age or, if not of legal voting age, supervise and conduct the farming operation of an entire farm.
- Have an interest in a farm or ranch as either:
- An individual who meets one or more of the following:
- Is eligible and capable to vote in one's own right.
- Is a partner of a general partnership.
- Is a member of a joint venture.
- Participates or cooperates in any FSA program that is provided by law. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information to FSA about their farming or ranching operation(s) but may not have applied or received program benefits.
Eligible voters in Local Administrative Area 2, who do not receive a ballot can obtain one from their local FSA county office. Customers can identify which LAA they or their farming operation is in by using our new GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. Newly elected committee members will take office March 1, 2026. The candidate(s) in this year's election are: James M. Young is nominated in LAA# 2, Bedford County, to serve as COC member for a 3 – year term beginning January 1, 2026. Mr. Young resides in LAA# 2 in the Bedford area and is a producer of hay, orchard grass, and beef cattle. Mr. Young is an active member of the Bedford FSA County Committee now. He currently serves as the Regular Member for the Bedford FSA County Committee. Former President of Virginia Angus Association and a board member for 5 years. James M. Young is willing to serve if elected. Walter H. Nichols is nominated in LAA# 2, Bedford County, to serve as COC member for a 3 – year term beginning January 1, 2026. Mr. Nichols resides in LAA# 2 in the Bedford area and is a producer of hay and beef cattle. Mr. Nichols currently is very active in the Masons and is a member of the Virginia Cattlemen's Association. He is the current President of Virginia Angus Association and member of the American Angus Association. Walter H. Nichols is willing to serve if elected. More information on county committees can be found at fsa.usda.gov/elections or by contacting the Bedford County FSA office. | Top of page |
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