Frequently Asked Questions

Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI)

Nov 7, 2016

Q: What is ACRSI?
A: The Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI) replaces duplicative crop reporting of common acreage information by producers to both the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA).

Q: Who are the players in ACRSI?
A: ACRSI is a joint effort among producers, FSA, RMA, and the crop insurance industry.

Q: How does ACRSI work?
A: Producers currently provide similar acreage reporting information through two different reporting channels: their FSA county office or to their participating crop insurance agent of an Approved Insurance Provider (AIP) on behalf of the RMA. That information is shared electronically between FSA, RMA and the appropriate AIP. Producers must still contact both their FSA county office and their crop insurance agent as they normally would to validate their common data, provide program-specific information (including maps) and sign acreage reports needed by both agencies, but the common data from the first-filed acreage report will now be available to pre-populate and accelerate completion of the second report, eliminating redundant reporting and reducing the overall time spent filing their acreage reports.

Q: How will ACRSI benefit farmers and ranchers?
A: Producers now have multiple ways in which to report their common acreage data and will not have to report the same information twice to both FSA and their crop insurance agents, saving time and potentially reducing inadvertent data reporting errors.

Q: When will ACRSI be available?
A: ACRSI is available nationwide for the 2017 acreage reporting season.

Q: Do I have to sign-up to participate in ACRSI?
A: There is no “enrollment process” to participate in ACRSI.

Q: How will my data be shared?
A: Data sharing will depend on the reporting channel you choose to use.

• If you choose to provide your acreage report to the FSA county office, common data will automatically be electronically transmitted to RMA. RMA will only share data with your AIP if a crop insurance policy is in force.
• If your AIP is participating in ACRSI, and you choose to provide your acreage report to your crop insurance agent, your data will be electronically transmitted to FSA.

Q: How do I find a participating third-party service provider?
A: Although the third-party reporting channel has been piloted in 15 states; it is not available at this time. USDA is in the process of publishing the data standards entities will need to use to participate in ACRSI. The third-party channel will be added nationwide after interested entities develop the software necessary to securely and accurately transmit your data to USDA.

Q: Has ACRSI been piloted?
A: The ACRSI project has been implemented throughout the United States in phases to explore what practices and procedures work best for producers and are most cost effective for taxpayers. The previous pilots were assessed and adjusted before this nationwide implementation.

Q: Do producers who participate in ACRSI receive any financial gain and/or program inclusion that I am unable to obtain at this time?
A: No, producers do not receive any financial gain or inclusion in any additional USDA programs for participating in ACRSI.

Q: What personal information will be shared and with whom?
A: USDA prioritizes the protection and security of personal information. Only information that is required for a producer to participate in an FSA program or that is required under the producer's existing insurance plan for acreage reporting purposes will be shared among FSA and the AIP.

Q: Do I still need to visit both FSA and my crop insurance agent?
A: Yes, producers are still required to visit their crop insurance agent and FSA county office. This is necessary to ensure the producer provides program specific information and files all program specific forms that are required, including signing and certifying the shared acreage report. This will also allow producers an opportunity to ensure that the shared acreage reports are complete and accurate.

Q: If an error or omission is made by one agency (the FSA employee or an agent) while reporting acres, is there any recourse for the producer against FSA or the agent for the error?
A: Producers are still required to visit their crop insurance agent and FSA county office to sign and certify reported information. This will allow producers an opportunity to ensure that the shared acreage reports are complete and accurate.

Q: Which agency is ultimately responsible for timely reporting of acres?
A: Neither. Producers remain responsible for timely reporting of their acres.

Q: If the producer reports acres to one agency in error, will the other agency be able to correct those errors?
A: Yes. Either agency will be able to correct the data, but the data will need to be resubmitted through the electronic sharing process to ensure both agencies have matching data. As in the past, producers are still responsible for signing and certifying the accuracy of the data in both their FSA and RMA acreage reports.

Q: What crops that I report will be shared under ACRSI?
A: The following 16 categories of crops will be shared under ACRSI:

Q: Why are there a limited number of crops shared in ACRSI?
A: These cover approximately 94 percent of the cropland acres reported to FSA and RMA, and have similar reporting requirements with both agencies. FSA and RMA will gain experience collecting and sharing data for these crops, and will use the lessons learned to make informed decisions whether to include additional commodities in the future.

Contact Information

For more information, contact RMA Public Affairs.