United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Louisiana Crop Production Released: December 9, 2021.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA is deploying $100 million under the new Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to make available nearly $1 billion in loan guarantees; these loan guarantees will back private investment in processing and food supply infrastructure that will strengthen the food supply chain for the American people.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration appeared “very close” to releasing a long-promised $700 million in pandemic aid to biofuel producers. The aid was announced in March as part of a remodeling of coronavirus relief programs by the incoming administration.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin issuing final pandemic assistance payments to timber harvesters and timber hauling businesses through the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) program starting next week. In total, $200 million will be provided to loggers and log trucking businesses who experienced a gross revenue loss of at least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 1, 2020, compared to the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 1, 2019. This support is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

Please respond to USDA interviewers who may call before January 14, 2022, to help you complete the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), asking about production practices data from rice producers. Your response helps ensure you are represented. This portion of the survey asks questions about fertilizer, pesticide, cropping practice, and technology management.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for December 2021, which are effective Dec. 1. USDA’s 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.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA is accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to help people in rural areas get access to high-speed internet.

This announcement comes on the heels of the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides another nearly $2 billion in additional funding for the ReConnect program.

The pandemic revealed an increased interest in smaller and local meat processing facilities as a way to add resiliency to the current meat processing sector, as well as consumers’ desire to connect directly with local producers. USDA announced an investment of $32 million in grants awarded to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to support expanded capacity and efficiency through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program.

United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced Nov. 19 that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities in 44 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities.