Harvest 2026 will soon be here

How can it be the middle of August already? Producers coming into the office find themselves actively planning for the 2026 harvest. Soon, we will see choppers taking off the corn crop, and it could be even sooner if we don’t start getting some rain. Let’s hope for the best while preparing for the worst.

Organic Certification Cost Share Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping organic producers and handlers cover certification costs as part of the department’s effort to put farmers first and Make America Healthy Again. USDA’s Farm Service Agency is accepting applications to help with organic certification costs for the 2025 and 2026 program years through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, which covers up to 75% of eligible organic certification costs.

Producers and handlers must apply by Dec. 31, 2026, for both program years. OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the National Organic Program, which is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

Producers and handlers are eligible to receive 75% of the costs, up to $750 for each of the following scopes: crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees.

Farm Storage Facility Loans

Do you need to upgrade a piece of equipment for handling commodities?

Producers can use the Farm Storage Facility Loan program to purchase equipment or upgrade storage facilities. A variety of structures, handling equipment and trucks are eligible under the FSFL program, including dryers; augers; trucks, including semi-tractors; grain trailers; baggers; bale wrappers; grain carts; sugar beet carts; forklifts and skid steers; bulk tanks; propane tanks; hay barns; facilities for cold storage, storage, drying and handling; and more.

If construction is required, which includes ground disturbance such as site preparation, an environmental review must be completed before actions are approved.

Contact the Stearns team to learn more about the program or to apply for our arm Storage Facility Loans.

Base acres update

Base acre increases are authorized by provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Nationwide, up to 30 million new base acres can be added to eligible farms. Base acres have not been added since 2002. Eligible landowners should review base allocation summaries and complete any necessary actions by Aug. 31, 2026. Possible actions include verifying planted acres in 2019 through 2023 to ensure they are correct and declining the increased base acres if you do not want them. If the acres are correct and you wish to be considered for increased base acres, no action is required at this time.

Protecting your USDA benefits

If you plan any tiling activities, tree removal or bringing land into production in the coming year, contact our office to be sure your proposed activity complies with federal wetland (WC) and highly erodible land (HELC) regulations. Remember to also check with your local Soil and Water Conservation District regarding applicable state and county laws.

Farm stress

We know there is a lot of stress in the ag community right now. If you recognize this stress in your family members or friends, do not hesitate to seek appropriate help.

The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is a free, confidential service that provides support for people struggling with stress, anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts related to farm and rural life. The helpline is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling (833) 600-2670, texting FARMSTRESS to (898) 211 or emailing farmstress@state.mn.us.

Most importantly, make safety your number one priority this summer. Be proud of what you have accomplished this year. We certainly are proud of you.

Farm Service Agency is an equal opportunity lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov for application forms and updates on USDA programs.