Programs (2024)

Program Spotlight

Introduction to FSA:

Producers visiting Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for the first time may need to provide information to establish farm records and producer records.

The First Visit fact sheet lists the information that producers will need to provide to get started.

First Visit fact sheet - Spanish

Office of the State Executive Director

The Office of the State Executive Director provides operational and programmatic oversight and guidance to carry out FSA's mission.

Office of the State Executive Director Contacts

Outreach and Public Affairs

The Outreach and Public Affairs staff assists with information, awareness, outreach and strategic communications and marketing programs across the state to communicate policies, programs, services and activities.

Outreach and Public Affairs Contacts

State Outreach/Communications Coordinator - Joshua Coleman - 979-680-5252
Outreach Coordinator - Alejo Sierra - 915-857-0351 x1453

Agricultural Mediation Program

Provides assistance to agricultural producers, their lenders, and other persons directly affected by the actions of USDA resolved disputes. Through mediation, a trained, impartial person (mediator) helps participants review their conflicts, identify options, and agree on solutions.

The Texas mediation program is a USDA Certified State Mediation Program. Services are provided by Texas Rural Mediation Services (TRMS). For more information, you can click here to visit their website, or you can contact TRMS directly at:

Texas Rural Mediation
Lubbock County DRC
PO Box 10536
Lubbock, Texas 79408-3536
Phone: 806-775-1720 or 866-329-3522
Fax: 806-775-7929

For more information about mediation, click here.

Agriculture Program Specialist - John Bird - 254-629-1636 x109

Texas Administrative Division

All duties normally associated with administration to support the Agency's workforce in Texas as they provide services to farmers, ranchers, and the general population. This includes human resource support, budget and fiscal management, contracting and purchasing, leasing office space, etc.

FSA serves the people of Texas through 173 offices with some offices serving more than one county. Click here to contact your local office directly. The mission of FSA is guided locally by elected FSA county committees with program implementation carried out by approximately 600 permanent employees supplemented by temporary staff according to workload demands.

Information on working for FSA, contacting the various program departments, obtaining general information and links to specific information on our programs, please see the Texas FSA homepage.

Administrative Division Contacts

Chief - Maritza Garza - 979-680-5194
eGov Coordinator - Denise Sloan - 979-680-5174
Advertised Vacancies - Kristy Simmons - 979-680-5161
Facility Leasing - Maritza Garza - 979-680-5194

Texas Farm Loan Programs Division

FSA makes direct and guaranteed farm ownership (FO) and operating loans (OL) to family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit. FSA loans can be used to purchase land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed and supplies. Our loans can also be used to construct buildings or make farm improvements. Additionally, FSA offers Youth Loans to rural youth who want to establish and operate income-producing projects in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA or similar organizations.

The Conservation Loan (CL) program provides farmers and ranchers access to credit to implement conservation practices on their land. Conservation practices reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and promote sustainable and organic agricultural practices.

Direct Farm Loans

FSA makes direct and guaranteed farm ownership (FO) and operating loans (OL) to family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank, Farm Credit System institution, or other lenders. FSA loans can be used to purchase land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed, and supplies. Our loans can also be used to construct buildings or make farm improvements.

FSA Direct Farm Ownership Loan Application
FSA Direct Farm Operating Loan Application

For more information on all FSA Farm Loan program options click here. For an FSA Farm Ownership and Operating loan application package click here. We also encourage you to contact your local office or USDA Service Center to learn more about our programs.

Farm Loans Division Contacts

Chief - Roel Garza - 979-680-5220
Farm Loan Specialist - Tristen Herring - 979-680-5225
Farm Loan Specialist - Michelle King - 979-680-5226
Farm Loan Specialist - Eric Mortimer - 979-680-5224
Farm Loan Specialist - Parker Thurman - 979-680-5223

Texas Common Management and Price Support Division

The Common Management and Price Support Division (CMPSD) is responsible for administering commodity price support programs and common eligibility provisions.

Price Support programs include:

Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) and Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) programs
Cooperative Marketing Association Provisions
Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Programs
Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program
Dairy Indemnity Payment Program (DIPP)
Sugar Programs for Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
Representative of CCC for cotton and UGRSA Warehouse issues

CMPSD also assists in the administration of payment eligibility and payment limitations for all commodity programs subject to payment limitation regulations including compliance with Adjusted Gross Income or AGI. For participants who have been requested to provide information for their AGI compliance, below are sample certifications for use by your CPA or Attorney if necessary:

The division also monitors compliance of the Agriculture Foreign Investor Disclosure Act as it applies to Texas farming operations.

For more information on foreign investment disclosure requirements, click here.

Common Management and Price Support Division Contacts

Chief - Becky Weaver - 979-680-5216
Program Specialist - Adam Bonner - 979-680-5210
Program Specialist - Jill Halfmann - 432-231-4466
Program Specialist - Cindy Sanders - 979-680-5197
Program Specialist - Kitty Yoakum - 979-680-5192

Texas Commodity/Compliance Division

The Commodity Compliance Division in the Texas State Office supports the county offices in administering commodity programs:

Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC)
Price Loss Coverage (PLC)

The Commodity Compliance Division also assists in the implementation of the following FSA disaster assistance programs:

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)

For more information on disaster assistance programs authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, click here.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GIS is an automated system used to manage and analyze geographic information. FSA employees use GIS to more efficiently identify and measure land features by allowing computer-generated maps to interact with databases that store information about the land. Various forms of GIS technology, including remote imagery, are used in administering FSA farm commodity, conservation, and loan programs. GIS provides accuracy in FSA emergency preparedness and compliance efforts.

The Commodity Compliance Division uses Geographic Information System (GIS) programs for compliance purposes.

For more information of Geographic Information Systems, click here.

Commodity/Compliance Division Contacts

Chief - Scott Reed - 979-680-5203
Program Specialist - Boone Herring - 979-680-5202
Program Specialist - Nathan Lammert - 979-680-5195
Program Specialist - Jenna Leihardt - 979-680-5248
GIS Specialist - Amy McCoslin - 979-680-5204

Texas Conservation Division

The Conservation Division in the Texas State Office supports the Texas FSA county offices in administering conservation programs including:

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

This division also supports the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiatives associated with CRP. Information on SAFE Initiatives for Texas can be found in the fact sheets below:

For more information on these and other conservation programs, click here.

The Conservation Division also assists in administering conservation disaster assistance programs including:

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)

For more information on our FSA Disaster Assistance Programs, visit Disaster Assistance.

Conservation Division Contacts

Chief - Jeffrey Dudensing - 979-680-5209
Program Specialist - Reagan Hoffart - 979-680-5211