The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Georgia State Executive Director, Arthur Tripp, reminds Georgia’s agricultural producers to file crop acreage reports with USDA to document the crops grown on their operation and their intended uses. Deadlines to file crop acreage reports vary by crop, state, and county. The next crop reporting deadline that impacts many agricultural producers is January 15, 2024. Agricultural producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for more information on deadlines and to file acreage reports.

“Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Tripp. “Once planting is complete, call your local USDA Service Center to make an appointment to report your acreage. Our FSA staff can assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.”

Each year, USDA agencies collect data relating to crops through crop acreage reports. If an agricultural producer wants to participate in many USDA programs, including crop insurance, safety net, conservation, and disaster assistance programs, they must file timely acreage reports to remain eligible for program benefits. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planting acreage, may prevent the loss of benefits.

Local USDA Service Center staff can provide agricultural producers with maps and deadlines to simplify the reporting process. Producers can also use FSA’s self-service portal, farmers.gov, to securely view or print maps. To enroll in the online service, contact your local FSA office or visit farmers.gov/sign-in.

To file an acreage report, agricultural producers need:

  • Crop and crop type or variety
  • Intended use of the crop
  • Number of acres of the crop
  • Map with approximate boundaries for the crop
  • Planting dates
  • Planting pattern, when applicable
  • Producer shares
  • Irrigation practice(s)
  • Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable
  • Other information as required

FSA works with farms and ranches of all sizes. Small farmers should still report their acreage because they may be eligible for assistance in the event of a natural disaster.

Agricultural producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to schedule an appointment or to learn more about acreage reporting and FSA programs and resources.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.