The agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide technical and financial resources to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. The resources listed below include programs for disaster assistance, environmental conservation and economic development in rural areas of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
USDA agencies work together to ensure the nation’s food security, protect agricultural production, boost the development of rural communities, maintain the quality of food and agricultural products, ensure access to healthy food, provide markets for products and to conserve natural resources.
Access and share these resources in Spanish: Asistencia por Desastres para Agricultores y Dueños de Fincas
Information for Farmers and Families Affected by Hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
FACT SHEETS:
- Supporting the Revival of Agriculture and Silviculture after Hurricanes Irma and Maria (PDF) (Agency: Caribbean Climate Hub)
- How to Disinfect Water after a Disaster (PDF) (Agency: Caribbean Climate Hub)
- How to Salvage Fallen Trees after Hurricane Maria (PDF) (Agency: Caribbean Climate Hub)
- Disaster Assistance for Farmers - USDA programs (PDF) (Agency: Caribbean Climate Hub)
- Disaster Assistance Hotline for Hurricane Maria-Impacted Producers (PDF) (Agency: NRCS Caribbean)
- Disaster Assistance Programs at a Glance (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- A Customers Guide to Food Safety (PDF) (Agency: Food and Safety and Inspection Service)
- Summary of Major Programs (PDF) (Agency: Rural Development)
- During Difficult Times Taking Care of Your Family (PDF) (Agency: Puerto Rico Department of Health)
Disaster Assistance
Natural events, such as hurricanes, windstorms or droughts, can cause destruction and devastation to farms and livestock which result in material and monetary losses for farmers. Consequently, the USDA offers various incentive programs to protect producers from these events.
PROGRAMS:
- Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, Farm-Raised Fish (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Emergency Conservation Program (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Emergency Loan Program (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Livestock Forage Disaster Program (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Livestock Indemnity Program (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Tree Assistance Program (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Summary Caribbean Climate Hub Disaster Assistance for Farmers (PDF, 245KB)
Each incentive program is aimed at a particular audience. In some cases, non-profit corporations, municipal governments, and academic institutions are eligible, in other cases, they are available to farm owners only.
How to request USDA services and programs?
- It depends on the program and the agency providing the help. We recommend that you visit the regional offices of the Agency that administers the program that provides the financial assistance (such as matching of funds, loans, insurance or grants) or technical assistance (such as preparation of management plans or visits to the property) that interests you.
- All grants from the federal government must be requested through grants.gov
Assistance for Agriculture and Livestock
Protecting agricultural lands and ensuring the continued supply of food are USDA priorities. One of the USDA agencies with the largest presence in the U.S. Caribbean is the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which has a range of programs aimed to: conserve resources in agricultural areas, provide financial aid to farmers and ranchers, assist in disaster situations and promote rural development.
PROGRAMS:
- Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Business & Industry Loan Guarantees (Agency: Rural Development)
- Conservation Contracts (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Conservation Innovation Grants (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Conservation Technical Assistance (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Direct Farm Operating Loans (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Direct Farm Ownership Loans (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Environmental Quality Incentive Programs (Agency: NRCS)
- Farmers Market Promotion Program (Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service)
- Farm to School Grant Program (Agency: Food and Nutrition Service)
- Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service)
- Guaranteed Farm Loans (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- High Tunnel Initiative (Agency: NRCS)
- Intermediary Relending Program (Agency: Rural Development)
- Local Food Promotion Program Grants (Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service)
- Microloans Program (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Primary Loan Servicing Program (PDF) (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Organic Initiative (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
Programs for the Conservation of Natural Resources
The USDA offers various conservation programs that are designed to promote sustainable rural development and agricultural activities. These programs promote important practices related to erosion control, water quality and wildlife habitat protection.
PROGRAMS:
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Agricultural Conservation Experience Services (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Agency: USFS)
- Conservation Contracts (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Conservation Innovation Grants (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Conservation Reserve Program (Agency: Farm Service Agency)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Emergency Watershed Protection Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Forest Legacy Program (Agency: US Forest Service)
- Forest Stewardship Program (Agency: US Forest Service)
- Healthy Forests Reserve Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Joint Chief’s Landscape Restoration Partnership Program (Agency: US Forest Service)
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Urban and Community Forestry (Agency: US Forest Service)
- Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
- Working Lands for Wildlife Program (Agency: Natural Resource Conservation Service)
USDA Offices in Puerto Rico |
USDA Offices in the U.S. Virgin Islands |
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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 654 Ave. Luis Muñoz Rivera, Plaza Suite 700, San Juan, PR 00918Tel: (787) 766-6050 / (787) 771-3611 |
USDA Service Center Office* 4401 Estate Sion Farm Suite 2 Christiansted, VI 00820 T: (340) 692-9662 / F: (855) 418-2508 |
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Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Ave. Pedro Albizu Campos, Suite 201, Mayagüez, PR 00682Tel. (787) 831-3435 |
St. Croix County Farm Service Agency* 4401 Estate Sion Farm Suite 2 Christiansted, VI 00820 T: (340) 773-9146 ext 100 / F: (855) 478-8386 |
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Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 654 Ave. Luis Muñoz Rivera, Plaza Suite 702, San Juan, PR 00918Tel: (787) 766-5586 |
*Serves St. Croix, St. John & St. Thomas.
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654 Ave. Luis Muñoz Rivera, Plaza Suite 829, Hato Rey, PR 00918 Tel: (787) 294-1613 |
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Caribbean Area 654 Ave. Luis Muñoz Rivera, Plaza Suite 604, Hato Rey, PR 00918 Tel: (787) 766-5206 / (787) 787-281-4836 |
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654 Ave. Luis Muñoz Rivera, Plaza Suite 601, Hato Rey, PR 00918
Tel: (787) 766-5095 |
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Ave. González Giusti #27, Suite 400, San Patricio Guaynabo, PR 00968
Tel: (787) 722-2748 o 2965 |
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Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry Jardín Botánico Sur, 1201 Calle Ceiba, San Juan, PR 00926Tel: (787) 766-5335 |