Montana FSA Program Dates/Deadlines

USDA in Montana reminds agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency (FSA) program dates. Contact your local service center to apply and with any questions. Visit online at farmers.gov and fsa.usda.gov/mt.

Sept. 30, 2024: Acreage Reporting Date for Value-loss and controlled environment crops (except nursery).

Sept. 30, 2024: NAP application closing date for all annual & perennial grass & mixed forage, garlic, rye, speltz, triticale & wheat. Please note that the acreage reporting date for your NAP covered crops is the earlier of the established FSA acreage reporting date for the crop or 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing of the specific crop acreage being reported.

Oct. 14, 2024: Office closure for Columbus Day federal holiday

Oct. 15, 2024: Final date for filing ERP 2022 Track 1 applications impacted by RMA and NAP change records received from May 3 through July 29, 2024.

Oct. 15, 2024: Deadline to submit required and optional eligibility forms affiliated with all ERP 2022 Track 1 and Track 2 applications remains. Optional forms include FSA-510 and CCC-860.

Oct. 31, 2024: OCCSP signup is open now until October 31, 2023.

Nov. 1, 2024: Last day of 2024 CRP Summer/Fall Non-Emergency Grazing Period (prior approval required)

Early November: 2024 County Committee Election Ballots to be Mailed to Voters

Nov 15, 2024: 2025 Acreage Reporting Deadline for Apiculture, Fall Wheat (Hard Red Winter), and all other Fall Seeded Small Grains. Please note that this is the final date that FSA can accept late-filed Program year 2024 reports for these crops.

Dec. 2, 2024: Voted FSA County Committee Election Ballots to be returned to the FSA County Office or post-marked.

Dec. 31, 2024: 2025 NAP Application for Coverage Deadline for Honey

Jan. 15, 2025: Established stand alfalfa seed, fall alfalfa seed (NAP= spring & fall Alf SD), and cherries for acreage reporting

Jan. 30, 2025: Application deadline for 2024 LFP. Producers must complete a CCC-853 and provide required supporting documentation no later than January 30, 2025, for 2024 losses.

Jan. 30, 2025: Deadline to submit a Notice of Loss and Application for Payment for 2024 ELAP

Jan. 31, 2025: The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program to now include medium-sized businesses in addition to small businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can apply for assistance for expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification. The program has also been expanded to include assistance for 2024 and 2025 expenses. Producers can apply for assistance on their calendar year 2024 expenses beginning July 1, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025. For program year 2025, the application period will be Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2026. Read the full news release here: USDA Expands Funding Opportunities for Specialty Crop Growers to Help Offset On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for 2024 and 2025

*Note for ELAP Notice of Loss- If you are hauling feed/livestock/water due to a qualifying drought during the 2024 grazing period, a new NOL is required - even if you already submitted a NOL prior to the 2024 grazing period.