Get Your USDA Farm Number
Your farm number unlocks USDA loans, cost-share, disaster help, and many grants. It is free, and this checklist walks you through getting one.
Why it matters
Your farm number is how USDA keeps track of your farm. Getting one is free, and it is the first step for most USDA help, including:
- FSA farm loans and microloans
- NRCS cost-share, like EQIP high tunnels and fencing
- Disaster help after storms, floods, or livestock losses
- Crop coverage through NAP, which is free for many veterans
- Many USDA grants, like the Value-Added Producer Grant
- Veteran farmer priority and benefits
Your step-by-step checklist
Check things off as you go. Your checkmarks save on this device only.
Find your county USDA Service Center
Every county is served by a USDA Service Center where the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and NRCS share an office.
Gather your documents
Fill out the forms ahead of time
Filling these out before your visit makes the appointment much faster. Your county office will tell you exactly which ones you need. Most are in FSA's free form packet.
Download the FSA form packet (PDF)
| Form | What it is for |
|---|---|
| AD-2047 Needed | Customer Data Worksheet. Your contact and business information. This plus proof of land is what sets up your farm number. |
| CCC-860 Veterans | Certifies you as a veteran or beginning farmer. Unlocks priority and benefits, like no-cost basic NAP crop coverage. |
| AD-1026 | Promises you will follow conservation rules on wetlands and highly erodible land. Needed for most payment programs. |
| CCC-941 | Confirms your income is under the program limit. Needed for most payment programs. |
| CCC-902I | Farm operating plan. Shows what land, money, equipment, labor, and management you put into the farm. |
| SF-3881 | Direct deposit form for FSA payments. |
Go to your appointment
Staff will review your forms, set up your customer record, map your land, and assign your farm and tract numbers.
Keep your farm number handy
FSA will send you a letter with your farm and tract numbers, a summary of your land (form FSA-156EZ), and a map. Keep copies with your farm records. You will write your farm number on loan, cost-share, and grant applications.
Questions
Do I need to own land?
No. If you rent, bring your lease or a letter from the landowner showing you farm the land.
Does it cost anything?
No. Setting up your customer record and farm number is free.
Who counts as a veteran farmer?
On the CCC-860, a veteran farmer has served in the Armed Forces and either has not farmed for more than 10 years total, or became a veteran within the last 10 years.
What do I do after I have my farm number?
Write a simple business plan, then look for programs that fit. Our Farm Business Plan Builder and grants page can help.
Can someone help me with this?
Yes. Staff at your county USDA Service Center will walk you through it. Cornell Cooperative Extension and FVC NY can help too. Email info@farmvetcony.org.
Sources: USDA Farm Service Agency, "Establishing a Customer Record and Farm Record" and the FSA eligibility forms packet. Forms and steps can change, so your county office has the final word.
Why Your Farm Number Matters to Veterans
- Your farm number is the key to the veteran benefits in USDA programs: fee waivers on NAP, higher ELAP payments, conservation priority, and loan perks.
- While you’re at the FSA office, file form CCC-860 (veteran certification) so those benefits apply.
- Value-Added Producer Grants give ranking priority to beginning farmers who are veterans.
- Farming inherited family land without a clear deed? See heirs’ property. And see all USDA veteran benefits.
