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Greetings from your county FSA office. Like you, we have a great deal keeping us busy as we move into the official start of summer. Here are a few key things that we need our farmer and rancher customers to be aware of and responsive to:
- We might sound like a broken record, but if you haven’t yet certified your acres with us for the 2024 production season, we need to see you now. It’s crunch time, with only a few weeks until the mid-July certification deadline for spring-planted crops, as well as perennial forage (pastures) and Conservation Reserve Program acres. If you haven’t done this yet, call us at (308) 534-2360, ext. 2, as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
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Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) currently is open for application. This is a voluntary, working lands CRP that enables participants to conserve grassland while continuing most grazing and haying practices. The deadline to submit a contract offer is Friday, June 28, so if you are interested in this program, please contact our office as soon as possible for more information.
- FSA is currently accepting Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) applications for wildfire recovery assistance for the Valentines Day, Betty’s Way and Stapleton fires that occurred in February 2024. The ECP signup begins on June 17, 2024 and runs through August 16, 2024. Please note that reconstructive work may not begin until an application has been submitted and written approval has been received.
- FSA County Committee election season is under way, and we need you! If you or someone you know cares about agriculture in our county, and could serve as a voice for local producers, there may be a place for you on the County FSA Committee. To learn more about it, check out the article below.
- Our FSA loan team is busy this time of year with visits to farm and ranch customers. It’s an important part of the loan process. Please try to have patience and flexibility with our team as they work to get around to see those who are scheduled for a visit this year.
That’s all for this month. Talk to you in July.
--Bruce Solko
To comply with program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to contact the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County FSA office to file an accurate acreage certification report by the applicable deadline. The acreage reporting deadline for all spring-seeded crops, Conservation Reserve Program acres, perennial grass acres and cover crop acres is July 15, 2024. Prevented planted acres must be reported within 15 days of the final planting date of the crop. Failed acres should be reported before destruction of the crop, if applicable.
Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County Farm Service Agency (FSA) also wants to remind producers that annual acreage reporting of forage crops such as grass for hay or grazing is an important eligibility requirement to receive financial benefits through the livestock disaster programs, if applicable, as well as a number of other FSA-administered programs.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of the date listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.
If you have not already set an appointment, please contact our office for appointment to report your acres.
Producers who file accurate and timely acreage certification reports, including failed and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the potential loss of USDA program benefits. For questions regarding acreage certification, please contact the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County FSA office at (308) 534-2360, ext. 2.
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The Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County FSA Office is now accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) for damages resulting from the Valentines Day, Betty’s Way and Stapleton fires that occurred in February 2024. The ECP signup begins on June 17, 2024 and runs through August 16, 2024.
Approved ECP practices under this authorization include EC1-Removing Debris from Farmland (Fence Removal); EC3-Replacing or Restoring Permanent Fences; & EC5-Emergency Wind Erison Control Measures (Cover Crops).
Reconstructive work may not begin until an application has been submitted and written approval has been received. An application does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be approved. In addition, FSA’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review process must be completed before any actions are taken.
The FSA Committee or designee will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land (if required), taking into consideration of the type and extent of the damage. Any practices installed must be constructed to NRCS specifications and must be maintained for the lifespan of the practice.
You must provide 3-4 pictures of the damage that occurred and be able to provide the location and approximate length of any fences being repaired or replaced. The pictures may be provided at the time of signup or may be emailed to nenorthpla-fsa@usda.gov.
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County FSA Office at (308) 534-2360 ext. 2 or visit farmers.gov/recover.
Signup Window Open Through June 28
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can now sign up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP). The signup runs through June 28, 2024. Grassland CRP, offered by Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands and provide important conservation benefits for wildlife, soil health and carbon sequestration, all while continuing most grazing and haying practices.
More than 2.3 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners were accepted nationwide through the 2023 Grassland CRP signup. That signup reflects the continued success and value of investments in voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs. The current total participation in Grassland CRP is 8.64 million acres, which is part of the 24.8 million acres enrolled in CRP opportunities overall nationwide.
Landowners and producers interested in Grassland CRP should contact their FSA office at their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before the June 28 deadline.
Other CRP Options
FSA also is accepting applications for the Continuous CRP signup. Under this enrollment, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap.
Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land.
For more information on any of these CRP options or to make an appointment, contact the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson FSA office at (308) 534-2360 ext. 2.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members and encourages all farmers, ranchers, and FSA program participants to take part in the Logan County Committee election nomination process. County committee members make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024.
Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. For Logan County, elections will take place in LAA #4, which encompasses all of Logan County. Customers can identify which LAA they or their farming or ranching operation is in by using our GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations also may nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women, and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote and hold office.
Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of 3 to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.
For more information on FSA county committee elections, including fact sheets, nomination forms and FAQs, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections. Individuals also can contact Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County FSA Executive Director Bruce Solko at (308) 534-2360, ext. 2 or via email at bruce.solko@usda.gov for additional information.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is committed to providing our farm loan borrowers the tools necessary to be successful. FSA staff will provide guidance and counsel from the loan application process through the borrower’s graduation to commercial credit. While it is FSA’s commitment to advise borrowers as they identify goals and evaluate progress, it is crucial for borrowers to communicate with their farm loan staff when changes occur. It is the borrower’s responsibility to alert FSA to any of the following:
- Any proposed or significant changes in the farming operation
- Any significant changes to family income or expenses
- The development of problem situations
- Any losses or proposed significant changes in security
If a farm loan borrower can’t make payments to suppliers, other creditors, or FSA on time, contact your farm loan staff immediately to discuss loan servicing options.
For more information on FSA farm loan programs, contact your Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County USDA Service Center at (308) 534-2360 ext. 2 or visit fsa.usda.gov.
The Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) is a component of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) that focuses on wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities. Through WREP, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) enters into agreements with eligible partners to target and leverage resources for carrying out high priority wetland activities on eligible lands. Only state agencies, county and local governments, non-governmental organizations and American Indian tribes are eligible to submit WREP proposals. Partners interested in receiving funding should sign up before Aug. 16, 2024.
Potential partners may submit WREP proposals for an individual landowner project, a group of landowner projects, or specific wetland and habitat types within a watershed or geographic area.
NRCS hosted a training workshop for existing or prospective new partners. The link to the recording of this training will be made available on the NRCS ACEP webpage after June 20.
Wetland reserve easements protect important wetlands within an agricultural landscape, provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity and provide opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities.
Through WREP agreements, partner benefits include wetland restoration and protection in areas where priorities align to enable greater impacts on the landscape; ability to cost-share restoration or enhancements beyond NRCS requirements through leveraging; and ability to provide in-kind staff capacity for acquisition, due diligence, and restoration activities. WREP partners must contribute a financial or technical assistance match and maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM) status. Partner proposals need to be submitted by Aug. 16 to be considered for this year’s funding. Partners interested in WREP are encouraged to work with their NRCS state office in developing a proposal that meets the criterial for an Agricultural Conservation Easement.
For more information about conservation programs and other assistance available, contact your local NRCS field office or visit www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.
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Agricultural producers and rural small business owners may now apply for loan guarantees or grant funding to support energy efficiency improvements. Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) are now available through USDA Rural Development. The application period is year-round, with quarterly deadlines. Through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), agricultural producers and rural small businesses are eligible for loan guarantees and grants to develop renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Examples of projects that received funding support in the past include:
- Irrigation pump conversion from diesel fuel to electric irrigation motors;
- Solar arrays
- Replacement of grain dryers to more efficient grain dryers;
- LED lighting, HVAC systems replacement, and insulation to increase R-value;
- Coolers or freezers for grocery stores.
Grants can be made for up to 50% of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $500,000 for energy efficiency projects and up to a maximum of $1 million for renewable energy systems. Loan guarantees for FY24 projects are for up to 75% of total eligible project costs.
Agricultural producers or rural small business owners interested in learning more about this program should contact Nebraska USDA Rural Development. Call Christopher Faber at (402) 437-5748 or Spencer Rien at (308) 632-2195 Ext. 133.
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