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The 2018 Farm Bill allows for changes to the farm election for 2023. Any producers wishing to make changes to the farm election must obtain signatures from all producers on the farm with an interest in the farm’s cropland acres (excluding CRP) for the new election to be considered valid. Producers may elect to enroll in PLC, ARC-CO, or ARC-IC programs for 2023. Elections to PLC or ARC-CO are made on a covered commodity by covered commodity basis and all covered commodity base acres are elected to ARC-IC if that program is chosen for a farm.
Failure to agree to an election change for 2023 by March 15, 2023, will result in the farm defaulting to the election made in the 2022 program year.
The 2018 Farm Bill provides that for farms on which all cropland was planted to grass or pasture, including cropland that was idle or fallow, from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2017, will have all base acres and payment yields maintained, but with no payment for those base acres during the years 2019 through 2023. Farms that reported all grass, idle, or fallow during that entire period may be eligible for an NRCS program.
Did you know that the National Weather Service in Spokane has an experimental Cold Advisory for Newborn Livestock (CANL)? This product targets livestock that are less than 24 hours old, and have difficulty regulating their body temperature. The criteria is based on wind chill, precipitation amounts and cloud cover. To learn more about this, check out our webpage: www.weather.gov/otx/canl
Do you have a reliable weather source on your phone? If not, consider going to mobile.weather.gov where you can create a bookmark that works like an app. If you have any questions about these products or other resources, please email us at nws.spokane@noaa.gov and we would be happy to help.
The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires all foreign owners of U.S. agricultural land to report their holdings to the Secretary of Agriculture. Foreign persons who have purchased or sold agricultural land in the county are required to report the transaction to FSA within 90 days of the closing. Failure to submit the AFIDA form could result in civil penalties of up to 25 percent of the fair market value of the property. County government offices, realtors, attorneys and others involved in real estate transactions are reminded to notify foreign investors of these reporting requirements. Please contact your local FSA office if you have questions regarding these requirements.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently making automatic Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) top-up payments to underserved farmers and ranchers. Payments will be based on the 2020 program certification on form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification.
Producers who have not previously certified to their status for the 2020 program year have until Feb. 10, 2023, to submit form CCC-860 to be eligible for the additional payments. Contact your local USDA Service Center for more information.
All participants of FSA programs who request program benefits are required to submit a completed CCC-902 (Farming Operating Plan) and CCC-941 Average Gross Income (AGI) Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information to be considered for payment eligibility and payment limitation applicable for the program benefits.
Participants are not required to annually submit new CCC-902s for payment eligibility and payment limitation purposes unless a change in the farming operation occurs that may affect the determination of record. Participants are responsible for ensuring that all CCC-902 and CCC-941 and related forms on file in the county Office are always correct. Participants are required to timely notify the county office of any changes in the farming operation that may affect the determination of record by filing a new or updated CCC-902 as applicable.
Changes that may require a NEW determination include, but are not limited to, a change of:
- Shares of a contract, which may reflect:
- A land lease from cash rent to share rent.
- A land lease from share rent to cash rent (subject to the cash rent tenant rule).
- A modification of a variable/fixed bushel-rent arrangement.
- The size of the producer’s farming operation by the addition or reduction of cropland that may affect the application of a cropland factor.
- The structure of the farming operation, including any change to a member's share.
- The contribution of farm inputs of capital, land, equipment, active personal labor, and/or active personal management.
- Farming interests not previously disclosed on CCC-902 including the farming interests of a spouse or minor child.
- Financial status that may affect the 3-year average for the determination of average AGI or other changes that affects eligibility under the average adjusted gross income limitations.
Participants are encouraged to file or review these forms within the deadlines established for each applicable program for which program benefits are being requested.
If you have bought or sold land, or if you have picked up or dropped rented land from your operation, make sure you report those operation changes to your local FSA office as soon as possible. Copies of recorded deeds or land contracts for purchased property are required to update FSA records. Failure to maintain accurate records with FSA on all land you have an interest in can lead to possible program ineligibility and penalties.
Additionally, other changes that impact a farming operation must also be reported to FSA. This includes things such as changes to signature authorization within the operation. Producers are reminded to contact the office if there is a change in their farming operation(s) so that records can be kept current and accurate.
One-on-one assistance for farmers and ranchers, free of charge
At USDA, we are committed to helping farmers complete loan applications, environmental reviews, and other paperwork free of charge. One-on-one support is available at more than 2,300 USDA Service Centers nationwide. USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff are usually co-located at these Service Centers, and can help guide farmers to the best USDA assistance based on their unique goals, whether it is loans, conservation programs, or insurance.
Service Center staff can guide farmers through the process of preparing and submitting required paperwork on their own, with no need to hire a paid preparer. Language translation service is available in all USDA Service Centers, so one-on-one assistance with a Service Center employee can be translated in real time for farmers requiring it. And while some program and loan applications do have an administrative fee for filing, there is never a charge for preparation services provided by USDA staff.
Farmers who come to the USDA Service Center can:
- Establish their farm by registering for a farm number, which is required for USDA programs and assistance.
- Learn how to meet conservation compliance provisions.
- Verify eligibility for USDA programs.
- Discuss their business and conservation goals.
- Create a conservation plan.
- Fill out and file loan and program applications.
To find the nearest USDA Service Center, visit https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
Whitman County - Program Technicians
The Farm Service Agency office located in Colfax, WA is accepting applications for 2 Full-Time Permanent Program Technician positions. Duties include carrying out office activities related to farm programs. The full vacancy announcement which includes qualifications, eligibility requirements, and closing date are posted on USA Jobs at www.usajobs.gov. The salary ranges from $34,584 to $60,703 per year. Candidates may qualify for a 25% recruitment incentive for this position.
Washington State Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hiring part-time, Temporary Program Technician (PT), positions in Skagit County, Spokane County, Walla Walla, and Yakima County. This is a great opportunity for students or those that can only commit to a part-time schedule.
Duties include general office activities supporting FSA programs administered at the field level. Successful applicants must be reliable, have a professional attitude, enjoy working with the public. The Spokane position will require a valid driver’s license for day travel to local offices in Lincoln, Adams, and Whitman counties. The hourly rate depends on education and experience and ranges from $16.14 to $32.35.
Applicant closing dates will vary by location. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please share this information with them. To apply please submit a copy of your resume to the following. You may also contact the number listed for specific questions regarding the position:
February 10, 2023 - Deadline to submit form CCC-860 (Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification) for additional CFAP 2 payments to underserved farmers and ranchers.
February 15, 2023 – Deadline to pay 2022 NAP Premiums
March 1, 2023 – Deadline to file a 2022 LIP Application for Payment and to provide supporting documentation for the application.
March 15, 2023 – Deadline to elect a program and enroll in 2023 ARC/PLC.
March 15, 2023 – Deadline to obtain 2023 crop year NAP coverage for artichokes, beets (for seed or fresh), buckwheat, camelina, carrots (for fresh or processing), hemp, mustard, radish (for seed or fresh), small grain forage (wheat, barley, oats, peas), and any other spring planted crops not mentioned in other closing dates (full list of Washington State NAP dates posted here).
March 31, 2023 – Final date to request a MAL for 2022 wheat, barley, oats, honey, canola, crambe, flaxseed, rapeseed, and sesame seed.
April 1, 2023 – Beginning of the Primary Nesting Season for CRP. Activities on established CRP stands are prohibited April 1 through July 1 unless specifically authorized by FSA on a contract-by-contract basis.
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