Atchison County, MO USDA Service Center Bulletin - November 19, 2024
In This Issue:
Top of page
Hello everyone and thank you for taking a moment to read our Atchison County FSA Updates. Hope this finds you all doing well and maybe nearing the end of your harvest if you haven't already found that last row for 2024. We have had some interesting weather this fall, with warm to cold, dry to rainy, and some extreme wind in parts of the county at the end of October. We hope no one had any major damage with the storm on October 30th.
The office ended the month of October with 1.94 inches of rain.
Things are a little more quiet at the office this time of year, but we are working to get up to date on outstanding business, waiting for new imagery as well as a Farm Bill, but below are some good reminders. As always, reach out to the office if you have any questions.
Marketing Assistance Loan Requests Now Being Accepted
Right now, with most producers being in the middle of harvest, and some lower grain prices trending, some producers could potentially be needing cash flow, and may not be wanting to sell their grain directly out of the field. As a reminder, FSA provides Marketing Assistance Loans. These 9-month loans provide producers with financing and marketing assistance on a variety of crops through an interim financing after harvest to help meet those cash flow needs. Our office is now accepting these requests for eligible commodities.
CRP Expiring September 30, 2025
We currently do not have any authority for a CRP signup however those with contracts set to expire on September 30, 2025 will be receiving letters in the upcoming weeks with the findings of your NRCS status reviews. These letters will notify you of any issues, or areas that may be needing improvement on your current enrolled acres, and give guidance on how to get them in a condition that is suitable for the potential re-enrollment, should a CRP signup be announced. If a signup is announced, it will be published here in the newsletter or through our automated text services.
CRP Mid-Contract Maintenance
Producers who are needing to complete Mid-Contract Maintenance on their CRP acres will be receiving notification letters in the upcoming weeks. You are reminded to please refer to your individual contracts and conservation plans to refresh on the requirements needing met, as well as the approved timelines and acceptable maintenance practices.
Important Dates:
- November 28 - Thanksgiving Day - USDA Service Centers Closed
- December 2 - LAA 1 Election Ballots must be returned or postmarked
- December 11 - Ballot Counting at COC Meeting
- December 15 - Reporting Deadline for Fall Seeded Crops
- December 25 - Christmas Day - USDA Service Centers Closed
All of us at the office hope you are able to enjoy time with those around you this holiday season, and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Emma Lance, CED
|
The 2024 Farm Service Agency County Committee Election period began on November 4th, when ballots were mailed to eligible voters. The deadline for these ballots to be returned to our office or to be post-marked is December 2, 2024. County Committees help to serve as a bridge from our office to producers out in the community. We utilize the members of our committee to apply their knowledge and judgement when helping make program decisions on our commodity price support programs, conservation programs, incentive indemnity, and disaster programs for commodities, emergency programs, and program eligibility. The committee does operate within official regulations and are in place to carry out federal laws. To be considered an eligible voter, farmers and rancher must participate or cooperate in FSA programs. A person who is not of legal voting age but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote.
For this nomination period, the area in consideration is Local Administrative Area 3 also known as LAA 3. This consists of Colfax, Dale East, Dale West, Lincoln East, Lincoln West, and Tarkio townships.
Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot can obtain one from our office until December 2, 2024. Newly elected committee members will take their role in office January 1, 2025.
Nancy Hurst is currently serving for LAA 3, is up for reelection, and willing to serve another 3-year term on the committee. Nancy grew up a city girl and graduated high school from Butler, MO. She met her husband, Kevin, at The University of Missouri. Nancy and Kevin have four boys together. Three of their boys farm full-time, while one is a judge and farms part-time with their family. Nancy lost her husband in 2019, but still plays a role in their farming operation alongside her boys. Nancy is a great asset to the Atchison County Committee, and we thank her for running as our nominee.
Top of page
USDA is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners from Missouri for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on conservation efforts while strengthening their operation can apply for technical and financial assistance through CSP.
While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts CSP applications year-round, Missouri producers and landowners should apply by December 20, 2024 to be considered for funding in the current cycle.
State Technical Committees, composed of conservation and agricultural-related agency and organization representatives, work with NRCS to identify resource priorities and how best to address them. NRCS then sets state-specific, ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding that account for producer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunities to apply. Find Missouri’s ranking dates for CSP and other conservation programs at nrcs.usda.gov/ranking-dates.
NRCS offers CSP in all 50 states and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous signups. The program provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to adverse weather. CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under Indian tribe jurisdiction.
Additionally, existing CSP participants may have an opportunity to renew their contracts in the first half of the fifth year of their five-year contract through a competitive application process.
Special provisions are available for historically underserved producers, which include those considered beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited resource as well as military veterans. These producers are targeted funds. Find eligible practices in STATE and practice payment amounts. Payment Schedules | Natural Resources Conservation Service. Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year for the state.
To apply for CSP, contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center. Find your local Service Center at farmers.gov/service-locator
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 Farm Loan Manager, Brett Henggeler at 660-582-7423, ext. 2 to learn about your options.
Top of page
Atchison County
USDA Service Center
302 E. Highway 136
Rock Port, MO 64482
Phone: 660-744-5328
Fax: 855-861-0827
|
| |
|
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Emma Lance, County Executive Director
emma.lance@usda.gov
660-744-5328 ext. 2
Program Analysts
Pam Husing
Jessica Lambertsen
Allyson Staples
|
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Chris Rader, District Conservationist
chris.rader@usda.gov
660-744-5328 ext. 3
Dalton Crabs - Resource Conservationist
SWCD
Jessica Shefferd - District Speicalist III
Justin Chitwood - District Technician
Josie Begemann - District Technician
|
|
County Committee Members: Marvin Cooper, Nancy Hurst
Next COC Meeting: December 11, 2024 - Ballot Counting will be held and is open to the public
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Emma Lance, at 660-744-5328, ext. 2 or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services.
|
|
