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Routt-Jackson-Grand-Summit County USDA Newsletter -  March 12, 2025

In This Issue:

• Deadlines & Reminders
• Producers Can Now Enroll in ARC and PLC
• Every Successful Farm Starts with a Plan
• Crop Insurance Deadline Nears for Spring Planted Crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm Program
• Communication Is Key in Lending

Deadlines & Reminders

If you are interested in participating with FSA, NRCS, or Rural Development, please call ahead and schedule an appointment to discuss eligibility and sign-up. 

FSA Office Hours in Walden – by appointment only, on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 10:00am-3:00pm, in the US Forest Service office conference room at 100 Main Street, Walden, CO 80480. CALL 970-439-3260 AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. Office hours are subject to cancelation without notice if no appointments are made. 

FSA Office Hours in Kremmling – by appointment only, on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 10:00am-3:00pm, in the NRCS office at 106 S 2nd Street, Kremmling, CO 80459. CALL 970-439-3260 AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. Office hours are subject to cancelation without notice if no appointments are made.

• March 15th – FSA 2025 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) application for coverage deadline – oats, safflower
• April 8th – FSA office hours in Walden (by appointment only, see additional details above)
• April 10th – FSA office hours in Kremmling (by appointment only, see additional details above)
• April 15th – FSA Agricultural Risk Coverage/Price Loss Coverage (ARC/PLC) signup deadline
• May 8th – FSA office hours in Kremmling (by appointment only, see additional details above)
• May 13th – FSA office hours in Walden (by appointment only, see additional details above)
• May 26th – office closed in observance of Memorial Day

NAP Notice of Loss –  within 15 days of the occurrence of the disaster or when losses become apparent

REMINDER: If you have any unreported changes of address, phone number, email address, or an updated business name or entity membership structure changes, they need to be reported to our office.

Changes to your farming operation, such as an addition of a farm by lease or purchase, needs to be reported your local service center as well. Producers participating in FSA and NRCS programs are required to timely report changes in their farming operation to the county office in writing and update their CCC-902 Farm Operating Plan. If you have any updates or corrections to report, please call and make an appointment with your local FSA office.

Producers Can Now Enroll in ARC and PLC

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting enrollments and elections for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for 2025 from Jan. 21 to April 15. ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms. The American Relief Act, 2025 extended many Farm Bill-authorized programs for another year, including ARC and PLC.  

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County (ARC-CO) or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual (ARC-IC), which protects the entire farm. Although election changes for 2025 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2025 unless an election change is made.      

If producers do not submit their election revision by the April 15 deadline, their election remains the same as their 2024 election for commodities on the farm from the prior year. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the cropland.       

Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.      

USDA also reminds producers that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products including Supplemental Coverage Option, Enhanced Coverage Option and, for cotton producers, the Stacked Income Protection Plan (commonly referred to as STAX).  

For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact your Routt-Jackson-Grand-Summit County USDA Service Center at 970-439-3260. 

Every Successful Farm Starts with a Plan

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture and improve the quality of our air, water, soil and wildlife habitat.  

Simply put – NRCS helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make conservation work for them.  

Our Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program enables every acre of voluntary conservation applied through every program NRCS administers. It is the foundation of our financial and technical assistance delivery system.  

Every farm and acre is unique and requires tailored management; and every decision maker has different management concerns and needs. Our technical assistance is one-on-one, personalized advice and support to help producers make the best decisions for their lands – and is offered free of charge.  

This personalized assistance provides producers with the science-based data and tools to make informed decisions about where to target efforts to get the greatest return on their investment and ensure the long-term sustainability of American agriculture.  

A comprehensive conservation plan is the first step to managing all the natural resources on a farm. NRCS walks the farm with the producer and develops options to address that producer’s needs. Our toolbox includes aerial photos, soil surveys, engineering solutions and individual science-based analysis customized for the producer’s property. The plan we develop with the producer combines existing production methods with recommended conservation practices to best manage that farm’s unique natural resources, while allowing the producer to grow sustainably and productively. Supported by our expert analysis and recommendations, the producer chooses which option best meets their needs. These decisions become the producer’s conservation plan, a step-by-step guide to reach their objectives.  

This planning process also makes it easier to identify how and when the farmer, rancher or forest landowner could qualify for Farm Bill financial assistance to help them install conservation systems or receive incentives for trying new ones. We have the expertise to see our customers through this process. Because identifying when, where and how to implement practices is not plug and play.  

The final plan provides a roadmap for the producer to meet their natural resource conservation goals. It includes helpful information on each of the producer’s practices, such as how they benefit the farm, how to maintain them, and how they help the soil, water and wildlife.  

By developing a conservation plan and adding conservation to the land, farmers, ranchers and forest landowners can protect the land’s ability to provide for their family and future generations.  

With offices in communities nationwide, NRCS staff provide the information, tools and delivery systems necessary for producers – in every state and territory – to conserve, maintain and improve their natural resources.  

Contact your local USDA service center to find out more.  

Crop Insurance Deadline Nears for Spring Planted Crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for spring planted crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are Feb. 28, March 15 and April 15. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser, under the “Dates” tab. Producers can also access the RMA Map Viewer tool to visualize the insurance program date choices for acreage reporting, cancellation, contract change, earliest planting, end of insurance, end of late planting period, final planting, premium billing, production reporting, sales closing, and termination dates, when applicable, per commodity, insurance plan, type and practice. Additionally, producers can access the RMA Information Reporting System tool to specifically identify applicable dates for their operation, using the “Insurance Offer Reports” application. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Producers may select from several coverage options, including yield coverage, revenue protection and area risk plans of insurance. Crop insurance options include Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy and is available in all counties nationwide. Micro Farm, introduced in 2021, aims to help direct market and small-scale producers that may sell locally, and this policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products. Producers can find additional information on the Actuarial Information Browser. Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2025 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the sales closing date. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online at the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting their RMA Regional Office.

Communication Is Key in Lending

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 Mesa County USDA Service Center at 970-242-4511 or visit fsa.usda.gov.

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