Finding USDA Service Centers in Michigan

What is a USDA Service Center?
How to work with a USDA Service Center in Michigan
Where are USDA Service Centers in Michigan?
Additional Support

What is a USDA Service Center?

USDA Service Centers are offices where you can typically meet face-to-face with staff from different agencies, most often from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These offices are spaces for farm business owners to discuss eligibility and availability of USDA resources or support with an agent. USDA offices have limited staff and tend to be busy places, so an appointment may be required. For more information on navigating delays in service from the USDA, check out the guide from MIFFS here.

How to work with a USDA Service Center in Michigan

This link takes you directly to the USDA website to get started at your USDA service center.

Prepare for your visit

Call the office to make an appointment.
- You may need to schedule appointments with different agencies, even if they are within the same Service Center. To get started, you will need to work with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to establish a farm number. Most service centers have an FSA and an NRCS office.
Ask what info and documents you will need to bring
- Understand what pieces of information you need to bring:
  - Proof of Identify, such as Drivers License or Social Security Card
  - Official Tax ID ( Social Security Number of Employee Number)
  - Copy of the property deed, survey plat, rental or lease agreement of the land
Prepare your questions

During your Visit

If you don’t have a farm number, you will need to register one with the FSA, requiring an appointment specifically with the FSA office.
- A Farm Service Agency Farm Number is necessary to apply for loans, assistance, and insurance from the Government
  - Interested in learning more? Head here.
- If you are interested in participating in NRCS financial assistance or cost share programs, fill out the AD-1026 during your farm number paperwork:
  - AD-1026 - Formulario de cumplimiento de conservación
  - AD-1026 - Conservation Compliance Form
If you are interested in conservation on your farm, make an appointment with NRCS to discuss your business and conservation goals.
- Make a plan to meet conservation compliance provisions and do an environmental review.
Verify your farm’s eligibility
- For most programs, producers must file a CCC-941 form to ensure the adjusted gross income doesn’t exceed $900,000.
File your program application, as applicable.
- Ask the agent if you have any specific questions. If you have questions they are not able to answer, these guides may be helpful.
Get receipt for service.
- USDA offices are required to provide you with a receipt for service summarizing your visit if you ask for it. This receipt is a good record for your business and may help clarify issues later should you encounter them.
Sign up for news and updates
- Sign up for email or text alerts
- Program Deadlines

After your visit

Update your Farm Number paperwork annually with FSA.
- If your paperwork is not current when submitting program applications, you may be automatically disqualified.
- Service centers usually send out reminders to update FSA paperwork at the beginning of each year. It is a good idea to check on your FSA paperwork status anytime you apply for a USDA program.
File Crop Acreage Reports each year
- These reports document the crops grown on your farm and the intended uses.
- These are shared between Farm Service Agency and the Risk Management Agency electronically - only have to fill out once!
  - Form: Report of Acreage form (FSA-578)
  - More information on necessary documents can be found here.
Keep in touch with your local office.
- Alert them to any changes in your business
Learn about self-service options.
- Create a farmers.gov account to manage some of your USDA business independently.
- https://www.farmers.gov/blog/creating-farmersgov-account-makes-receiving-usda-assistance-easy-efficient
- Sign up for email or text alerts
- Add USDA Program Deadlines to your calendar.

USDA Resource: New Farmers Get Started Fact Sheet

Where are USDA Service Centers in Michigan?

There are USDA service center offices spread across Michigan, most have representatives from both the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service agencies.

Find a service center near you