Farmers need fewer forms, faster support in federal programs
On 35 acres in Maryland that previously grew corn and soy, Chris Long raises sheep and builds fencing while also serving as senior vice president of Abt Digital Solutions (ADS), the integrated technology arm formed by the union of Abt’s Digital & Data Services team and TSPi. His dual role as farmer and technologist gives him unusual stakes in simplifying US Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs and portals—because he uses them himself.
More than 50% of new and beginning farmers cite navigating federal programs as a top barrier to launching or expanding their operations. Long’s mission, and that of his team at ADS, is to lower that barrier.
A few years ago, Long’s land conversion plan would’ve required half a dozen site visits, stacks of paper forms, and weeks of back-and-forth to finalize a conservation agreement. Today, that same plan can be drafted, submitted, revised, and approved online—thanks to the digital tools supported by USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area.
“Farmers need to find, understand, and access government programs; tech helps them do that faster and more accurately,” says Long. “And when those tools work well, it means more time on the land and less time in line.”
Like many producers, Long’s needs are varied and time-sensitive. He may need to apply for fencing cost-share support, pull soil survey data for seeding decisions, confirm his eligibility for financial funding, or revise his irrigation layout, all within the same growing season. These aren’t theoretical tasks; they directly affect whether his farm can be financially viable and environmentally resilient.
These improvements aren’t just cosmetic. They reflect a broader shift in how federal programs are delivered: replacing redundancy with speed, and paperwork with precision. With Abt’s support, FPAC is making it possible for producers to handle core tasks like securing a loan, updating a conservation plan, or accessing real-time soil data through streamlined digital tools that save time and reduce errors.
Smart use of technology simplifies complex programs and frees up federal workers to focus on advising farmers, not just paperwork.
– Chris Long, SVP, Abt Digital Solutions
Smart upgrades for a high-stakes mission
Small farms make up nearly 90% of all U.S. farms, yet many operate on thin margins. Weather volatility, rising costs, and limited access to credit or conservation support make it harder to thrive—let alone grow.
That’s why FPAC was created in 2017, combining three USDA agencies—the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA)—into one mission-focused hub. The goal: help producers manage risk, conserve resources, and stay productive. ADS builds and maintains the digital infrastructure that makes that mission real.
USDA launched Farmers.gov as a one-stop portal for farmers and producers to access a wide range of services. ADS leads the ongoing redesign and maintenance of the site, unifying once siloed systems into a more seamless experience. The result is a modern, mobile-friendly platform where farmers can apply for loans, manage crop insurance, sign documents remotely, and access conservation tools—all in one place. By making these services easier to find and use, the platform helps producers stay focused on what matters most: running their operations and caring for the land.
“It’s more than a website,” Long explains. “It’s a gateway to capital, compliance, and the kind of decision support that used to require hours of in-person meetings.”
Meanwhile, ADS’ modernization of the Farm Loan Programs systems has cut paperwork in half and given thousands of farmers faster access to working capital. New tools like “Pay My Loan” don’t just reduce friction, they save time for both producers and USDA staff.
Digital tools that protect America’s food supply, the land—and farmers’ bottom line
From loan applications to soil surveys, USDA offers help, but that help must be usable—especially for newer producers who aren’t familiar with the system. ADS works with USDA to modernize the services small farmers and business owners need.
The results speak for themselves. Farmers can now:
- Apply for and repay loans online
- Access conservation maps and historical land use data
- Certify eligibility for priority programs
- Modify irrigation or fencing plans with real-time approvals
One key system, known as the “Money” Agile Release Train (ART), helps USDA streamline $6.4 billion in annual conservation payments. As part of that, the Configurable Business Rules Engine ensures rapid adaptation to policy changes without requiring custom code or delays.
And for farmers navigating soil erosion, flooding, or invasive species, tools built under the Odin ART program deliver real-time data and predictive models. For example: The Web Soil Survey, gives producers and researchers access to detailed soil maps and data for over 95% of U.S. counties. Users can draw boundaries on a map, generate a customized soil report, and use that information to guide planting, conservation practices, or land management decisions.
“When we launched the Web Soil Survey, it became the second most visited site in the world,” says Peta Messner, a digital systems lead for ADS. “Researchers, universities, and producers rely on it to understand how soil conditions are changing—and how to make informed choices that keep food on America’s tables.”
“It’s significant,” Messner explains. “It tells us what’s happening to the soil over time—when we overproduce, plant too early, or harvest too late. Those signals help farmers adjust and make smarter decisions that improve yield and preserve land value.”
Other tools, like the Dynamic Soils Hub and the PLANTS Database, bring deeper insight to the field. The Dynamic Soils Hub helps USDA model how soil properties shift over time with use, weather, and land management—turning static data into real-time guidance. Meanwhile, the PLANTS Database helps land managers identify native, invasive, or high-performing species, so they can make better planting decisions that support conservation goals and long-term productivity.
The Web Soil Survey was once the second most visited site in the world. It tells us what’s happening to the land—and how to farm it smarter.
—Peta Messner, VP, Abt Digital Solutions
The Evolution of USDA Digital Tools
From conservation to continuity, modernization that works for citizen farmers
When America nearly lost its agricultural base to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, the lesson was clear: conserve the land, support the producer, and do both with common sense.
That’s the principle behind USDA’s FPAC mission. It’s also the principle behind ADS’ work today. From digitized conservation plans to online farm loans, we’re not adding complexity, we’re removing it. And we’re helping ensure that the systems farmers rely on are efficient, accurate, and built to last.
The stakes are high. Between 1950 and 2022, America lost 280 million acres of farmland to development. At the same time, weather volatility and global population growth demand more from every remaining acre.
But it's not just the acreage, it’s the legacy and the local economies built on small producers. Abt’s work with USDA helps ensure that producers aren’t left behind because systems are too slow or too complex.
Instead, they’re empowered with access to capital, support for conservation, and data that helps them plan ahead. This is about making programs work better for the producer, the taxpayer, and the country.
We helped build the system,” says Long. “Now we’re modernizing it.
Voluntary conservation programs help producers care for their land. Digital infrastructure ensures they can access that support. And trusted partnerships ensure it all runs smoothly, securely, and in service of the people who feed the nation.
“As a farmer, I want to do right by the land,” says Long. “As a technologist, I want the systems to make that easier—not harder.”
With the right tools, he says, that’s no longer a tradeoff.
Built to last. Powered by purpose.
Abt Digital Solutions brings 60 years of policy depth and digital scale to modernize the systems that serve American agriculture. From intelligent automation and AI-ready architecture to cloud-based portals and GIS tools, we help federal agencies deliver services that work—efficiently, securely, and at scale.
Ready to modernize your mission? Connect with us at CGO@abtglobal.com