If you have bought or sold land, or if you have picked up or
dropped rented land from your operation, make sure you report the changes to
the office as soon as possible. You need to provide a copy of your deed or
recorded land contract for purchased property. Failure to maintain accurate
records with FSA on all land you have an interest in can lead to possible
program ineligibility and penalties. Making the record changes now will save
you time in the spring. Update signature authorization when changes in the
operation occur. Producers are reminded to contact the office of a change in
operations on a farm so that records can be kept current and accurate.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers that the
2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation
and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA
service center by June 1, 2015, in order to become or remain eligible for crop
insurance premium support.
Most farmers already have a certification form on file since it’s
required for participation in most USDA programs such as marketing assistance
loans, farm storage facility loans and disaster assistance. However farmers,
such as specialty crop growers who receive federal crop insurance premium
support, but may not participate in other USDA programs, also must now file a
certification form to maintain their crop insurance premium support.
Producers should visit their local USDA service center and talk
with their crop insurance agent before the June 1, 2015, deadline to ask
questions, get additional information or learn more about conservation
compliance procedures. Producers that file their form by the deadline will be
eligible for federal crop insurance premium support during the 2016 reinsurance
year, which begins July, 1, 2015. USDA will publish a rule outlining the
linkage of conservation compliance with federal crop insurance premium support.
Go to http://go.usa.gov/3Wy5J to view a copy
of the rule.
The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation
Certification form is available at local USDA service center or online at www.fsa.usda.gov/AD1026form . When a
farmer completes this form, USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources
Conservation Service staff will outline any additional actions that may be
required for compliance with highly erodible land and wetland provisions.
USDA’s Risk Management Agency, through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation,
manages the federal crop insurance program that provides the modern farm safety
net for America’s farmers and ranchers.
For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill. |