Logan County FSA Program Updates

USDA Farm Service Agency sent this bulletin at 02/01/2013 12:55 PM EST

February 2013

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Logan County FSA

DEAR PRODUCERS: Welcome to the new GovDelivery bulletins and updates service from your County FSA office. Note that you are welcome to request to receive bulletins from more than one county and can add or remove individual subscriptions at any time.

Logan County FSA

1650 5th Street

Lincoln, IL, 62656

Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Phone: 217-735-5508 ext. 2

Fax: 217-732-9916

County Committee:

Rodney Conklen - Chairman

Tim Southerlan - Vice Chairman

Kenton Stoll - Member

Dorothy Gleason - Advisor

County Executive Director:

John Peters

Program Technicians:

Farm Loan Manager:

Tony Schmillen

Important 2013 Farm Program Update

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2013—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the authorization of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) for many Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) commodity, disaster, and conservation programs through 2013. FSA administers these programs.

The extended programs include, among others: the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP), the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE), and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC). FSA is preparing the following actions:

FSA will begin sign-ups for DCP and ACRE for the 2013 crops on Feb. 19, 2013. The DCP sign-up period will end on Aug. 2, 2013; the ACRE sign-up period will end on June 3, 2013.

The 2013 DCP and ACRE program provisions are unchanged from 2012, except that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop year. This means that eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE in 2013 (and vice versa).

All dairy producers’ MILC contracts are automatically extended to Sept. 30, 2013. Eligible producers therefore do not need to re-enroll in MILC. Specific details regarding certain modifications to MILC will be released soon.

FSA will provide producers with information on program requirements, updates and signups as the information becomes available. Any additional details will be posted on FSA’s website.

CLICK HERE: 2013 Farm Program Fact Sheets

2012 ACRE Production Required

All producers who enrolled in the 2012 ACRE Program are required to turn in production by July 15th, 2013. The ACRE 658 forms are ready to be filled out at the Logan County FSA Office. Certification of NET BUSHELS is required. Failure to do so will result in program ineligibilty.

FSA Signature Policy

Using the correct signature when doing business with FSA can save time and prevent a delay in program benefits. The following are FSA signature guidelines:

• Spouses may sign documents on behalf of each other for FSA and CCC programs in which either has an interest, unless written notification denying a spouse this authority has been provided to the county office

• Spouses shall not sign on behalf of each other as an authorized signatory for partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, or other similar entities.

For additional clarification on proper signatures contact your local FSA office.

HIGHLY ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND COMPLIANCE

Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions is required. Farmers with HEL determined soils must apply tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified in their conservation plan.

Producers should notify FSA prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to insure compliance. If you intend to clear any trees to create new cropland, these areas will need to be reviewed to ensure any work will not jeopardize your eligibility for benefits.

Landowners and operators can complete form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification to determine whether a referral to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is necessary.

For more information on Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions, contact your local FSA Office.

Click Here: HEL and Wetland Compliance Information

USDA Finalizes New Microloan Program

Microloans up to $35,000 aim to assist small farmers, veterans, and disadvantaged producers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2013 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new microloan program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a less burdensome, more simplified application process in comparison to traditional farm loans.

Click Here: USDA Microloan Program additional Info

Land of Lincoln Soil Savers Winter Breakfast Meeting

The Land of Lincoln Soil Savers Committee is planning a winter breakfast meeting. Their meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at the American Legion and it will begin at 7:30 AM. Dan Towery will be speaking at the meeting. Dan operates Ag Conservations Soluations, in Lafayette, IN where he specializes in continuous no-till, cover crops, soil health, and nutrient/pest management. Reservations are very important in planning these meetings to insure we have enough food for everyone. Please get your reservations in on time!

Please return your regestration form with payment to: Logan County SWCD, 1650 5th Street Road, Lincoln, IL 62656 by February 21, 2013. Please make checks payable to: Land of Lincoln Soil Savers.

Need a reservation form? Call 217-735-5508 ext. 3 or at www.loganswcd.org

Soil & Water Conservation District Spring Tree Sale

Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be having their annual tree sale. Trees are scheduled to be delivered to the SWCD Office in April. You will be notified of the exact date for pickup.

Please have your orders in by March 8th, 2013.

Order forms forms may be found by calling 217-735-5508 ext. 3 or at www.loganswcd.org

Dates to Remember

February 18th - Office Closed : Washington's Birthday

February 19th - 2013 DCP/ACRE Signup Begins

February 26th - SWCD Winter Breakfast Meeting

March 8th - Tree Sale Order form deadline

July 15th - 2012 ACRE Production Reporting Deadline

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Logan County FSA Program Updates

February 2013

Logan County FSA

Logan County FSA

*Important 2013 Farm Program Update*

2012 ACRE Production Required

FSA Signature Policy

HIGHLY ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND COMPLIANCE

USDA Finalizes New Microloan Program

Land of Lincoln Soil Savers Winter Breakfast Meeting

Soil & Water Conservation District Spring Tree Sale

Dates to Remember

Important 2013 Farm Program Update