Elizabethtown FSA Service Center Updates

USDA Farm Service Agency sent this bulletin at 09/18/2018 11:05 AM EDT

September 2018

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

USDA Launches Trade Mitigation Programs
Elections for the 2018 County Committee
Communication is Key in Lending

Elizabethtown FSA Service Center Updates

Elizabethtown FSA
Service Center

250 Sportsman Lake Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Phone: 270-765-2702
Fax: 855-612-9681

County Executive Director:
John H. Goff

Farm Loan Manager:
Donna Marsch, Hardin
Myron Mattingly, LaRue

Program Technicians:
Sue Atcher
Stephanie Jackson
Candace Mabe
Kellie Samuels

County Committee:
Richard Preston
Jimmy Boyd
Shirley Ogden
Caleb Ragland
Paul Crutcher
William Curle, Advisor

Next County Committee Meeting: September 19, 2018

USDA Launches Trade Mitigation Programs

USDA launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of certain commodities can now sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP).

USDA provided details in August of the programs to be employed. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will administer the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) to provide payments to corn, cotton, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, and wheat producers. An announcement about further payments will be made in the coming months, if warranted. USDA is currently working to determine how to address market disruptions for producers of almonds and sweet cherries.

The sign-up period for MFP is now open and runs through Jan. 15, 2019, with information and instructions provided at www.farmers.gov/mfp. MFP provides payments to cotton, corn, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, and wheat producers who have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports. Eligible producers should apply after harvest is complete, as payments will only be issued once production is reported.

A payment will be issued on 50 percent of the producer’s total production, multiplied by the MFP rate for a specific commodity. A second payment period, if warranted, will be determined by the USDA.

Market Facilitation Program

Commodity Est. Initial Payment** Initial Payment Rate (in $1,000s)

Cotton                         $0.06/lb.                                  $276,900
Corn                            $0.01/bu.                                 $96,000
Dairy (milk)                  $0.12/cwt.                               $127,400
Pork (hogs)                 $8.00/head                              $290,300
Soybeans                    $1.65/bu.                                 $3,629,700
Sorghum                     $0.86/bu.                                 $156,800
Wheat                         $0.14/bu.                                 $119,200
Total                                                                           $4,696,300

**Initial payment rate on 50% of production

MFP payments are limited to a combined $125,000 for corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat capped per person or legal entity. MFP payments are also limited to a combined $125,000 for dairy and hog producers. Applicants must also have an average adjusted gross income for tax years 2014, 2015, and 2016 of less than $900,000. Applicants must also comply with the provisions of the Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation regulations.

For more further information or to locate and contact local FSA offices, interested producers can visit www.farmers.gov

Elections for the 2018 County Committee

Elections for USDA’s Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Hardin/Larue County Committee is underway.

It is important that every eligible producer participate in these elections because FSA county committees are a link between the agricultural community and the USDA. The 2018 election in Hardin/Larue County will be conducted for the representative Local Administrative Area (LAA): Hardin County, LAA 2 and Larue County, LAA 4

County committee members are a critical component of FSA operations. Committees should be comprised of members who reflect the diversity of producers involved in production agriculture in Hardin/Larue County. This means that producers representing underserved groups or communities should be on the committee to speak on behalf of their constituency.

Underserved producers are beginning, women and other minority farmers and ranchers and land owners and/or operators who have limited resources. Other minority groups including Native American and Alaska Natives; persons under the poverty level, and persons that have disabilities are also considered underserved.

County committee election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters on Nov. 5, 2018. The last day to return completed ballots to the Elizabethtown USDA Service Center is Dec. 3, 2018.

For more information on eligibility to serve on FSA county committees, visit: www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Communication is Key in Lending

Farm Service Agency (FSA) is committed to providing our farm loan borrowers the tools necessary to be a success. A part of ensuring this success is providing guidance and counsel from the loan application process through the borrower’s graduation to commercial lending institutions. 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

In addition, if a farm loan borrower cannot 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, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this meeting should contact John Goff at 270-765-2702 extension 2 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

Questions?
Contact Us

STAY CONNECTED:

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences | Delete Profile | Help