There are program deadlines fast approaching. 

2022 Acreage Reporting:  Time is running out. In order to maintain FSA program eligibility and benefits, you must timely file your acreage reports each year by July 15^th. We have your maps printed and available for you to pick up. Please stop at your convenience and pick up your maps and any other eligibility forms we need from you this year. Remember, the certification process is not done until you have signed the FSA-578 form. 

Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase One:  Producers that received crop insurance indemnities in 2020 and/or 2021 may have received a letter and application for the ERP signup. Producers with crop insurance that suffered production losses to crops due to a qualifying natural disaster event conditions will be able to certify to those losses and complete the application. If you received an application in the mail, please complete it and return to the FSA office. The deadline to submit an application is July 22, 2022.  For questions, contact the FSA Office.

COC Election:  The West Otter Tail and Wilkin County Committees are seeking nominations from eligible candidates to serve on our County Committee (COC) for a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2023.  Eligible nominees should be actively participating in FSA programs.  Participation from members of underrepresented groups such as our female producers or beginning farmers are encouraged.  Anyone interested must submit form FSA-669A no later than August 1, 2022.  This form is available at the county office or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. 

The primary nesting season started June 1st and runs through August 1st:  CRP contract holders should refrain from mowing or spraying during this time unless you contact FSA to receive permission for a spot spray or mow to control weeds or other undesirable plants.   We would also advise contract holders to take some time and scout your CRP acreage throughout the year to ensure you do not have volunteer trees or noxious weeds popping up.  It is your responsibility to maintain your CRP practice and failure to do so could result in penalties of noncompliance up to and including contract termination. Mid Contract Management activities can resume starting on August 2^nd.  

Storm Damage that caused Physical Losses:  Several different spring storms caused damage to structures in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties. Emergency Physical loss Loans may be available due to an eligible weather event. Please contact the FSA Credit Team for more information on loan eligibility and the application process.

Text message alerts are available from FSA while on-the-go, in the field, or in the tractor. Subscribe to text message alerts to receive timely updates on: deadline reminders, program notifications, reporting requirements and local outreach events. To sign up type: 372-669 in the recipient box and in the message box type: MNWestOtterTail or MN Wilkin and press send.

FSA Offers Loans to Finance Eligible Harvest Equipment through the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program:  Grain carts, grain trucks, semi-trucks, semi-trailers (hopper, live bottom, end dump), bulk milk tanks, baggers, bale wrappers, skid steers, sugar beet carts, augers, and chopper boxes are just a partial list of farm equipment that can be purchased using the FSFL program at the FSA office. Loans range from 3 to 12 years. Interest rates are very favorable (3.000% - 3.125%) at this time. Contact the FSA office for additional details. 

Leon Johnson, CED

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages all farmers, ranchers, and FSA program participants to take part in the West Otter Tail and Wilkin County Committee election nomination process.

FSA’s county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.

Committees are comprised of locally elected agricultural producers responsible for the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. Committee members are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. If elected, members become part of a local decision making and farm program delivery process.

A county committee is composed of three to 11 elected members from local administrative areas (LAA). Each member serves a three-year term.

Producers in the Northeast townships of Wilkin County will be electing a representative from their area to serve on our COC. Nominations will be accepted from eligible candidates residing in townships from Local Administrative Area I (LAA 1), which includes Atherton, Prairie View, Manston, Tanberg, Meadows, Akron & Andrea townships. 

Producers in the Southeast townships of West Otter Tail County will be electing a representative from their area to serve on our COC.  Nominations will be accepted from eligible candidates residing in townships from Local Administrative Area 3 (LAA #3) which includes Friberg, Maine, Amor, Sverdrup, Everts, Clitherall, Nidaros, Eagle Lake, Leaf Mountain, and Effington townships. 

County committees may have an appointed advisor to further represent the local interests of underserved farmers and ranchers. Underserved producers are beginning, women and other minority farmers and ranchers and landowners and/or operators who have limited resources.

All nomination forms for the 2022 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by Aug. 1, 2022. For more information on FSA county committee elections and appointments, refer to the FSA fact sheet: Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office as a COC Member available online at: fsa.usda.gov/elections.

If you’re enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, you must protect all cropland and noncropland acres on the farm from wind and water erosion and noxious weeds. By signing ARC county or individual contracts and PLC contracts, you agree to effectively control noxious weeds on the farm according to sound agricultural practices. If you fail to take necessary actions to correct a maintenance problem on your farm that is enrolled in ARC or PLC, the County Committee may elect to terminate your contract for the program year. 

changes.

Agricultural producers in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties who lost property due to recent natural disasters are eligible for physical loss loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers these loans for losses caused by High Winds that occurred on May 12, 2022.

FSA is offering these low-interest emergency loans to producers with a qualifying loss. Approval is limited to applicants who suffered severe physical losses only, including the loss of buildings and livestock. The deadline for producers in designated primary and contiguous counties to apply for loans for physical losses is January 24, 2023.

Physical loss loans can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

Please contact FSA for more information on loan eligibility and the application process. FSA office information is available at http://offices.usda.gov. Additional FSA disaster assistance program information is available at disaster.fsa.usda.gov.