US Consolidated Farm Services Agency - Concord, NH

Supporting New Hampshire Agriculture

The US Consolidated Farm Services Agency, now known as the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a critical federal resource located at the Concord Center on Ferry Street. This agency serves as the primary contact for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers in Concord and throughout Merrimack County, connecting them with federal agricultural programs . The FSA is dedicated to sustaining a strong rural economy by administering farm commodity, crop insurance, credit, environmental, conservation, and emergency assistance programs.

Farm Loan Programs

One of the agency's most vital functions is providing access to credit. The Concord office manages a variety of Farm Loan Programs designed to help producers start, improve, expand, transition, market, and strengthen family farming and ranching operations. These include Direct Farm Ownership Loans for purchasing land, Operating Loans for equipment and livestock, and Microloans tailored for smaller, non-traditional, and niche operations . The FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders, ensuring that capital is available even when traditional credit sources are out of reach.

Disaster Assistance and Conservation

When natural disasters strike, the FSA provides a safety net through programs like the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP). These initiatives help producers recover from losses due to weather events or disease. Furthermore, the agency actively promotes environmental stewardship through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), encouraging farmers to remove environmentally sensitive land from production in exchange for rental payments, thereby improving water quality and soil health .

Governance and Community

A unique aspect of the FSA is its grassroots approach. The local County Committee system allows farmers to be elected by their peers to help make decisions on how programs are administered locally. This ensures that the specific needs of the Merrimack County agricultural community are heard and addressed. Visitors to the Ferry Street office should be aware that it is a federal facility; security protocols, including screening, may be in place. It is highly recommended to call ahead and schedule an appointment to ensure the appropriate staff member is available to assist with specific program applications.

• Farm Loans: Ownership, operating, and emergency loans.
• Disaster Relief: Assistance for crop and livestock losses.
• Conservation: CRP and environmental protection incentives.
• Commodity Programs: Price support and market assistance.