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Bee/Live Oak-McMullen County Updates - November 15, 2024

In This Issue:

• USDA Reminds Producers of Fall Application Deadlines for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
• FSA Encourages Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections
• NRCS Texas accepting applications for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
• Progression Lending from FSA

USDA Reminds Producers of Fall Application Deadlines for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)

USDA Bee/Live Oak-McMullen County Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of approaching application deadlines for purchasing risk coverage for some crops through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops impacted by natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses, or prevented crop planting.

NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass and more.

Upcoming application deadlines for NAP coverage in Bee/Live Oak-McMullen County for the 2025 production season include:

• December 1, 2024: Perennial Grasses with intended use of haying and/or grazing
• March 15, 2025: Sorghum Forage with intended use of haying and/or grazing

NAP basic coverage is available at 55% of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is available in some cases. NAP offers higher levels of coverage, ranging from 50% to 65% of expected production in 5% increments, at 100% of the average market price. Producers of organic crops and crops marketed directly to consumers also may exercise the “buy-up” option to obtain NAP coverage of 100% of the average market price at coverage levels ranging between 50% and 65% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is not available for crops intended for grazing.

For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Premiums apply for buy-up coverage.

If a producer has a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (form CCC-860) on file with FSA, it may serve as an application for basic coverage for all eligible crops beginning with crop year 2022. These producers will have all NAP-related service fees for basic coverage waived. These producers may also receive a 50% premium reduction if higher levels of coverage are elected on form CCC-471, prior to the application closing date for each crop.

To learn more about NAP visit fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local USDA Service Center at 361-358-3343 x 2 or 361-449-2241 x 2.

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FSA Encourages Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections

The 2024 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections began on Nov. 4, 2024, when ballots were mailed to eligible voters. The deadline to return ballots to local FSA offices, or to be postmarked, is Dec. 2, 2024.

County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.

To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must:

• Be of legal voting age or, if not of legal voting age, supervise and conduct the farming operation of an entire farm.
• Have an interest in a farm or ranch as either:
  • An individual who meets one or more of the following:
    • Is eligible and capable to vote in one’s own right.
    • Is a partner of a general partnership.
    • Is a member of a joint venture.
    • Is an authorized representative of a legal entity.
  • Participate or cooperate in any FSA program that is provided by law. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation(s) but may not have applied or received FSA program benefits.

Eligible voters in Bee County Local Administrative Area (LAA) 2 or Live Oak County LAA 3 who do not receive a ballot can obtain one from their local FSA county office. Customers can identify which LAA they or their farming operation is in by using our GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. 

Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2025.

The candidates in this year’s election are:

Bee County

Arturo Gaitan is nominated in LAA 2, Bee County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Gaitan resides in Bee County and has produced Corn, Cotton, Grain Sorghum, Wheat, and Sesame for 40 years. He has also served on the Texas Agrilife Extension Committee.

Mark Sugarek is nominated in LAA 2, Bee County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Sugarek resides in Bee County and is a fourth-generation farmer. He has produced Corn, Cotton, Grain Sorghum, Wheat, and a variety of other crops for the past 48 years. Sugarek also raises Brangus cattle and is a member of Texas Brangus Breeders Association.

Live Oak-McMullen County

Shirley Davis is nominated in LAA 3, Live Oak County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Davis resides in George West and has been involved in ranching all her life.

Allan Krietsch is nominated in LAA 3, Live Oak County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Krietsch resides in George West and has produced Corn, Cotton, and Grain Sorghum along with livestock for 40 years.

More information on county committees can be found at fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center.

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NRCS Texas accepting applications for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas announced fiscal year (FY) 2025 financial assistance opportunities for landowners through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts easement applications on a continuous basis, applications for the 2025 fiscal year ACEP funding consideration must be submitted to NRCS by Dec. 6, 2024. Any applications that are received after Dec. 6, 2024, will be considered in future funding opportunities. Application package information may be found on the Texas NRCS Easement Program webpage.

ACEP Agricultural Land Easements provide financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving valuable grasslands in Texas.

Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.

ACEP Wetlands Reserve Easements allow landowners to successfully restore, enhance and protect wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses. The restoration activities provide benefits such as reducing damage from flooding, recharging groundwater and improving habitat for wildlife. Tribal landowners also have the option of enrolling land in 30-year contracts.

For more information about NRCS and its conservation programs, visit the Texas NRCS website at www.nrcs.usda.gov/Texasor by contacting your local USDA Service Center.

Progression Lending from FSA

Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm loans are considered progression lending. Unlike loans from a commercial lender, FSA loans are intended to be temporary in nature. Our goal is to help you graduate to commercial credit, and our farm loan staff is available to help borrowers through training and credit counseling.

The FSA team will help borrowers identify their goals to ensure financial success. FSA staff will advise borrowers on developing strategies and a plan to meet your goals and graduate to commercial credit. FSA borrowers are responsible for the success of their farming operation, but FSA staff will help in an advisory role, providing the tools necessary to help you achieve your operational goals and manage your finances.

For more information on FSA farm loan programs, contact your Jim Wells County USDA Service Center at 361-668-8361 or visit fsa.usda.gov.

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