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County Service Center Opened to Limited Visitors
The USDA Service Centers in California and Versailles are now open to limited visitors. Please plan ahead and contact the staff prior to your visit. We also ask that you review the screening signage on our doors before entering. Office staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools.
Producers are encouraged to call their local NRCS office to schedule an appointment to ensure maximum use of their time and to make sure NRCS staff is available to tend to their important business needs. Please call your local NRCS office ahead to set an appointment and to discuss any records or documentation that might be needed during your appointment.
To make an in-person or phone appointment, call 573-796-4691 for the California Office and 573-378-5822 for the Versailles Office. Or visit: offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.
Dates to Remember
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January 1, 2022-New Year's Day Holiday-USDA Service Center will be Closed
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December 15, 2021-February 25, 2022-Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP)
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March 15, 2022-ARC/PLC Election/Enrollment deadline
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March 15, 2022-Non Insured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) application and fee for pasture/hay deadline
The USDA Farm Service Agency currently has a vacancy for a Program Technician in the Moniteau/Morgan County FSA Office located in California, MO.
This is a full-time, permanent position.
The open application period is from 12/27/2021 until 01/10/2022.
Pay will be based on education and work experience. The position includes carrying out office activities and functions pertaining to programs administered in the county with great benefits.
Interested individuals should apply online at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/628076800
For questions or for more information regarding the vacancy, please contact Megan Dunkle at (573) 796-4691 ext. 2.
USDA FSA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer and Lender.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new program to assist hog producers who sold hogs through a negotiated sale during the period in which these producers faced the greatest reduction in market prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative and addresses gaps in previous assistance for hog producers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications Dec. 15, 2021 through Feb. 25, 2022.
SMHPP provides assistance to hog producers who sold hogs through a negotiated sale from April 16, 2020 through Sept. 1, 2020. Negotiated sale, or negotiated formula sale, means a sale of hogs by a producer to a packer under which the base price for the hogs is determined by seller-buyer interaction and agreement on a delivery day. USDA is offering SMHPP as packer production was reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic due to employee illness and supply chain issues, resulting in fewer negotiated hogs being procured and subsequent lower market prices.
The Department has set aside up to $50 million in pandemic assistance funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for SMHPP.
SMHPP Program Details
Eligible hogs include hogs sold through a negotiated sale by producers between April 16, 2020, and Sept. 1, 2020. To be eligible, the producer must be a person or legal entity who has ownership in the hogs and whose production facilities are located in the United States, including U.S. territories. Contract producers, federal, state and local governments, including public schools and packers are not eligible for SMHPP.
SMHPP payments will be calculated by multiplying the number of head of eligible hogs, not to exceed 10,000 head, by the payment rate of $54 per head. FSA will issue payments to eligible hog producers as applications are received and approved.
Applying for Assistance
Eligible hog producers can apply for SMHPP starting Dec. 15, 2021, by completing the FSA-940, Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program application. Additional documentation may be required. Visit farmers.gov/smhpp for a copy of the Notice of Funds Availability, information on applicant eligibility and more information on how to apply.
Applications can be submitted to the FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery or via electronic means. To find your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator. Hog producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance.
Are you interested in keeping your working land productive for years to come? Use Natural Resources Conservation Service’s new Conservation Concerns Tool to learn about conservation concerns that might impact your agricultural operation, then work with us on solutions targeted to fit your business needs. This tool is available now on our farmers.gov website, no login or account necessary.
With plain language and illustrative photos, the Conservation Concerns Tool provides a walkthrough of more than 40 conservation concerns related to soil, water, plants, animals, energy and air. Use the tool to create a list of resource concerns specific to your farm, ranch, or working forest lands, then download or print your list to share with NRCS staff at your local USDA Service Center.
We have a video available to walk you through the tool so you can see how it works.
The Conservation Concerns Tool is built to run on any modern browser such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari and is fully functional on mobile devices. Whether you work from your desktop at home or your smartphone in the field, this new tool offers personalized conservation insights to meet the needs of 21st century agriculture.
Visit farmers.gov/conserve to learn about additional USDA resources available for your working land.
A video series from NRCS and farmers.gov, Conservation at Work, presents short and easy to understand videos about popular conservation practices. These videos feature producers explaining how an individual practice helps their land and why they are using it.
The videos shine the spotlight on farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners from across the U.S. who explain why they’ve implemented the conservation practices and how they work on their land. They also provide insight into how each practice is helping them protect and improve resources and save time and money.
We’ve got videos showcasing high tunnels, no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, and many more.
Check out the Conservation at Work video series at farmers.gov/conserve/conservationatwork.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a higher loan limit will be available for borrowers seeking a guaranteed farm loans starting Oct. 1, 2021, from $1.776 million to $1.825 million.
FSA farm loans offer access to funding for a wide range of producer needs, from securing land to financing the purchase of equipment. Guaranteed loans are financed and serviced by commercial lenders. FSA provides up to a 95% guarantee against possible financial loss of principal and interest. Guaranteed loans can be used for both farm ownership and operating purposes.
In fiscal year 2021, FSA saw continued strong demand for guaranteed loans. FSA obligated more than $3.4 billion in guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans. This includes nearly $1.2 billion for beginning farmers. The number of guaranteed borrowers has grown by 10% to more than 38,750 farmers and ranchers over the last decade. FSA expects the increasing demand for farm loans to continue into fiscal year 2022.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy is accepting grant applications now through Feb. 28, 2022, to reimburse farmers for energy-saving equipment through its Energize Missouri Agriculture Program. Some examples of eligible projects include solar-powered watering systems and fencers, irrigation upgrades, GPS systems for tractors and applicators, ventilation and insulation. For more information see https://dnr.mo.gov/energy/energy-loans/energize-missouri-agriculture-program
For more information, please contact Colby Lehman at the Morgan County Soil and Water by phone (573)378.5822 or email (colby.bestgen@swcd.mo.gov) or just stop by our office at 100 S. Burke St. in Versailles.
The Moniteau County Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking a full time District Technician who will serve Cooper, Howard & Moniteau Counties. One would be required to work outdoors as well as in the office. Computer skills, good public relations skills, mathematical skills and mechanical skills are required for this position. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. College is beneficial but not required. Starting salary based on experience, with room for advancement. Benefits available: health ins., retirement, paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation. Must have a valid driver’s license, dependable vehicle and pass a background check. Applications and position descriptions are available at the SWCD Office in the USDA Service Center, 410 W. Buchanan St., California, MO 65018, by phone 573-796-2010 ext. 3 or email james.ketterman@swcd.mo.gov . EOE
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