Bismarck and Mandan area farmers are encouraged to get online as a North Dakota native spearheads a major modernization effort for federal farm programs. Jared Hagert, a North Dakota farmer and former lawmaker now serving as deputy administrator for farm programs for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), recently highlighted the push to streamline access to critical agricultural support systems. His core message to farmers, as shared during the Big Iron farm show, was a direct call to action: establish an account at login.gov.
Hagert's role within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) involves overhauling the systems used for disaster aid, price supports, and various loan programs. This initiative, which the USDA has dubbed "One Farmer, One File," aims to simplify how producers interact with federal agencies. The ultimate goal is to create a single, unified platform where farmers can submit information not just for FSA programs, but also for other vital USDA agencies, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Risk Management Agency (RMA).
The modernization effort extends beyond technology updates, according to Hagert. The agency plans to retire 100 outdated computer systems, but the process also focuses on eliminating redundant forms and reducing overall bureaucratic red tape. Hagert stated, "We’re looking at all of it," referring to the comprehensive review of current processes. This holistic approach seeks to make federal farm program participation more efficient and less cumbersome for agricultural producers across the nation, including those in Burleigh and Morton counties.
For local farmers, the implications could be significant. Chris McDonald, a farmer from near Leonard in Richland County, expressed hope that this streamlining will reduce the need for multiple visits to USDA agency offices. McDonald noted that staffing has become a concern at some offices. "It’s going to save time for everybody, not having to run from one office to the next office," McDonald said, adding that it might help address staffing challenges where workers are stretched thin. Hagert acknowledged that office staffing often comes up in his discussions with producers, particularly in rural counties facing limited workforce pools. While modernization may not necessarily reduce the need for FSA staff, he suggested it should enhance efficiency for both employees and farmers, who will be able to manage more tasks from their computers or phones.
North Dakota has played a pivotal role in piloting these new systems. Hagert referred to the state, and specifically Grand Forks County where he farms, as the "tip of the spear" in the modernization effort. Grand Forks County served as a pilot site for a new system designed to upload data from reporting maps. These maps are where farmers provide crucial information about crops planted in specific fields and other relevant agricultural data. Following its successful pilot in Grand Forks County, the system was tested statewide in North Dakota, alongside Maryland, before being adopted for nationwide use in August.
Farmers can anticipate further advancements in the coming year as the modernization continues to roll out. Despite the push for digital engagement, Hagert assured producers that county FSA offices will not be closing. This commitment underscores the USDA's intention to support all farmers, regardless of their readiness to adopt new digital tools. Hagert emphasized, "We want to meet farmers where they’re at," signaling a flexible approach to the transition. This balance aims to ensure that while efficiency improves, accessibility to essential services remains intact for all North Dakota agricultural producers.
