The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/931535
The Press-Dispatch Pike County Planter SWCD Newsletter Quarter 1 2018 D- 3 Pike County FSA January news By Amy R. Barber County Executive Director Pike County Farm Ser vice Agency The Pike County FSA Office makes a huge impact in the Pike County Agricul- ture industr y's economy. Just to give you an idea of how we provide support to the area farmers here are some of the program highlights for the past year: • We assist farmers with the completion of their eligibility paper work which is used for NRCS and SWCD purposes as well as FSA program payment purposes • We paid $522,101.00 in annual rental payments for the Conser vation Reser ve Program (CRP) • We administer CRP (Conser vation Re- ser ve Program), which established conser- vation practices on Pike County land, with cost-share payments of over $67,413.00 and additional incentives of another $47,350.00 for 2017. • An additional 1072.60 acres of Con- ser vation Reser ve Program acres were enrolled in 2017. For 2018 we are on a hold due to reaching the acreage cap nationally. • We paid $3,367,874.00 to farmers affected with a downturn prices in the market place for their 2016 crops of corn, soybeans and wheat. • We provide farmers with aerial photos and acreage reports of their farms for pro- gram compliance with FSA and RMA (Risk Management Agency or crop insurance) • We gave farmers loans on their corn and soybeans totaling for $644,905.25 with our commodity loan program USDA ANNOUNCES ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR SAFETY NET COVERAGE IN 2018 Producers on farms with base acres under the safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, can begin visiting FSA county offices starting Nov. 1, 2017, to sign contracts and enroll for the 2017 crop year. The enrollment period will continue until Aug. 1, 2018. Since shares and ownership of a farm can change year-to-year, producers on the farm must enroll by signing a contract each program year. If a farm is not enrolled during the 2018 enrollment period, the producers on that farm will not be eligible for financial assis- tance from the ARC or PLC programs for the 2018 crop should crop prices or farm revenues fall below the historical price or revenue benchmarks established by the program. Producers who made their elec- tions in 2015 must still enroll during the 2018 enrollment period. The ARC and PLC programs were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and offer a safety net to agricultural producers when there is a substantial drop in prices or revenues for covered commodities. Cov- ered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dr y peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), saf- flower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity. For more details regarding these programs, go to www.fsa. usda.gov/arc-plc. For more information, producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office. To find a local FSA office, visit http://of- fices.usda.gov. CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) We are currently taking CREP applica- tions for land along the White River which is in a priority area for Indiana. CREP has similar practices to Continuous CRP and General CRP with additional funding avail- able from the State of Indiana which makes it even more attractive. CROP REPORTING The deadline to report hay and pasture ground is November 15, 2017. Farmers are also reminded that they were required to get their small grains (wheat, oats, barley and r ye) reported by December 15, 2017 to be eligible for ARC/PLC and Price Support benefits (Loans and LDP's). If someone hasn't reported their wheat or small grain acreage they still need to do so. July 15 is the deadline for all other crops (corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, and Conser vation Reser ve Program acreage). All acreage must be accounted for on the report. Please note that we are required to have planting dates on the reports so please keep track of them. Producers are encouraged to call the Pike County FSA Office at 812-354-6120, extension 2 to book an appointment for crop certification. DEADLINES APPROACHING FOR FSA LIVESTOCK DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Livestock producers are reminded that deadline for the Livestock Indemnity Pro- gram (LIP) are quickly approaching. Producers with eligible livestock losses must submit a LIP application for payment by March 31, 2018. LIP provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. For 2017, eligible LIP losses must occur on or after Jan. 1, 2017, and no later than 60 calendar days from the ending date of the applicable adverse weather event or attack. A notice of loss must be filed with FSA within 30 days of when the loss of livestock is apparent. Participants must provide the following supporting documentation to their local FSA office no later than 90 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred. • Proof of death documentation • Copy of growers contracts • Proof of normal mortality documenta- tion Please contact to your local FSA office to make an appointment to apply for LIP benefits. USDA OFFERS NEW LOANS FOR PORTABLE FARM STORAGE AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT Portable Equipment Can Help Produc- ers, including Small-Scale and Local Farm- ers, Get Products to Market Quickly USDA's Farm Ser vice Agency (FSA) will provide a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment. The loans, which now include a smaller microloan option with lower down payments, are designed to help producers, including new, small and mid-sized producers, grow their businesses and markets. The program also offers a new "mi- croloan" option, which allows applicants seeking less than $50,000 to qualify for a reduced down payment of five percent and no requirement to provide three years of production histor y. Farms and ranches of all sizes are eligible. The microloan option is expected to be of particular benefit to smaller farms and ranches, and specialty crop producers who may not have access to commercial storage or on-farm stor- age after har vest. These producers can invest in equipment like conveyers, scales or refrigeration units and trucks that can store commodities before delivering them to markets. Producers do not need to demonstrate the lack of commercial credit availability to apply. Earlier this year, FSA significantly ex- panded the list of commodities eligible for Farm Storage Facility Loan. Eligible com- modities now include aquaculture; floricul- ture; fruits (including nuts) and vegetables; corn, grain sorghum, rice, oilseeds, oats, wheat, triticale, spelt, buckwheat, len- tils, chickpeas, dr y peas sugar, peanuts, barley, r ye, hay, honey, hops, maple sap, unprocessed meat and poultr y, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt and renewable biomass. FSFL microloans can also be used to finance wash and pack equipment used post-har vest, before a commodity is placed in cold storage. To learn more about Farm Storage Facil- ity Loans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesup- port or contact a local FSA county office. To find your local FSA county office, visit http://offices.usda.gov. FARM STORAGE FACILITY LOANS FSA's Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade storage facilities. The low-interest funds can be used to build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities. Eligible commodities include corn, grain sorghum, rice, soy- beans, oats, peanuts, wheat, barley, minor oilseeds har vested as whole grain, pulse crops (lentils, chickpeas and dr y peas), hay, honey, renewable biomass, fruits, nuts and vegetables for cold storage facilities, floriculture, hops, maple sap, r ye, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, meat and poultr y (unprocessed), eggs, and aquaculture (ex- cluding systems that maintain live animals through uptake and discharge of water). Qualified facilities include grain bins, hay barns and cold storage facilities for eligible commodities. Loans up to $50,000 can be secured by a promissor y note/security agreement and some loans between $50,000 and $100,000 will no longer require additional security. Producers do not need to demonstrate the lack of commercial credit availability to apply. The loans are designed to assist a diverse range of farming operations, includ- ing small and mid-sized businesses, new farmers, operations supplying local food and farmers markets, non-traditional farm products, and underser ved producers. To learn more about the FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan, visit www.fsa.usda. gov/pricesupport or contact your local FSA county office. To find your local FSA county office, visit http://offices.usda.gov. MARKETING ASSISTANCE LOANS (MAL) Short-term financing is available by obtaining low interest commodity loans for eligible har vested production. A nine-month Marketing Assistance Loan provides financing that allows producers to store production for later marketing. The crop may be stored on the farm or in the warehouse. Loans are available for producers who share in the risk of producing the eligible commodity and maintain beneficial interest in the crop through the duration of the loan. Beneficial interest means retaining the ability to make decisions about the commodity, responsibility for loss because of damage to the commodity and title to the commodity. Once beneficial interest in a commodity is lost, it is ineligible for a loan, even if you regain beneficial interest. Deadline for Price Support Crop Loans and LDP's The deadline for price support loans and loan deficiency payments (LDP's) is March 31 for small grains and May 31 for all other crops. County Committee Elections For election purposes, counties are divided into local administrative areas, or LAAs. Each LAA elects one producer to ser ve a three-year term on the Farm Ser vice Agency County Committee on an alternating basis. We just completed an election for the LAA #1 (Clay, Logan and Madison Town- ships) in which Jeffrey K. Brenton was elected to his second term as a represen- tative of LAA #1 on the Pike County FSA Committee. Jeff is a grain farmer in Madi- son Township. Other members of the Pike County FSA Committee include: Katrina Seitz and Chris Rudolph. Nominations for candidates to run for the Farm Ser vice Agency County Commit- tee election representing producers in a Local Administrative Area will be accepted from now through Aug. 1, 2018. LAA #2 (Washington and Jefferson townships) will be up for election next with Chris Rudolph will be completing his first term. To hold office as a County Committee member, a person must meet the basic eligibility criteria: • Participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA • Be eligible to vote in a county commit- tee election • Reside in the LAA in which the person is a candidate Individuals may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Also, organizations representing socially disadvantaged minori- ties and women farmers or ranchers may nominate candidates. DEADLINE FOR PRICE SUPPORT CROP LOANS AND LDPS The deadline for price support loans and loan deficiency payments (LDPs) is March 31 for small grains and May 31 for all other crops. FARM CHANGES If any ground is sold or purchased please bring a copy of the recorded deed. If ground is taken out of production such as being mined or put into a land devel- opment, please notify the office as well. Producers are also reminded that if they have any changes in their farms that the request for changes (Reconstitutions) must be made by August 1. COMMUNICATION IS KEY IN LENDING Farm Ser vice Agency (FSA) is commit- ted to providing our farm loan borrowers the tools necessar y to be a success. A part of ensuring this success is providing guid- ance and counsel from the loan application process through the borrower's graduation to commercial lending institutions. While it is FSA's commitment to advise borrow- ers 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 situa- tions; • 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 ser vicing options. THE CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE IS A PRODUCER'S VOICE, FUTURE, AND OPPORTUNITY In December farmers and ranchers across the nation received the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Producers can mail in their completed census form, or respond online via the improved web questionnaire. The online questionnaire has been revised extensively to make it more convenient for producers. Conducted once ever y five years, the census of agriculture is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them; it is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for ever y state and county in the nation. Farmers and ranchers, trade associa- tions, government, extension educators, researchers, and many others rely on census of agriculture data when making decisions that shape American agriculture – from creating and funding farm programs to boosting ser vices for communities and the industr y. The census of agriculture is a producer's voice, future, and opportunity. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus. usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540. "In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and poli- cies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are pro- hibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines var y by pro- gram or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of com- munication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Ser vice at (800) 877-8339. Addition- ally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda. gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretar y for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender." State conservationist leaves a lasting legacy By Ashley Langreck AgriNews Publications After more than 43 years of ser ving the Natural Resources Conser vation Ser vice, including 17 years as the state conser va- tionist, Jane Hardisty decided to retire. "When my anniversar y date with the agency rolled around last summer, I began thinking about retiring," she said. Over the years, Hardisty has been the front-runner leading the charge on teach- ing farmers why no-tillage practices are better for the soil, the importance of soil health and ways to improve water quality by helping hundreds of farmers receive financial assistance through government programs and putting on countless field days and workshops focused on soil con- ser vation. Hardisty said there are four key points that she hopes Hoosiers remember about her time as the Indiana state conser vation- ist: 1. Dedicated staff. The staff is made up of some of the most dedicated and wonder- ful individuals that have a passion to help farmers with soil health and water quality. 2. Agency partnerships. Indiana NRCS has great working partnerships with Indiana agriculture agencies and commod- ity groups. 3. Legacy to improved soil health. Hardisty spent much of her career as the Indiana conser vationist promoting soil health. 4. Deliver y structure of information. Hardisty is proud of the deliver y struc- ture she helped put in place for field offic- es throughout the state to help Hoosier farmers. It is a ver y unique system that was the cornerstone of helping NRCS field offices throughout the countr y. "It has been a great career. I am so proud of farmers in Indiana. It's great to be a Hoosier involved in Indiana agriculture and conser vation," Hardisty said, adding that she is looking for ward to spending her retirement enjoying her new home she just built on her family's 200-acre farm. Jill Reinhart, who was the NRCS as- sistant state conser vationist for partner- ships, has stepped in as the acting state conser vationist for the next 120 days, while the search for a new state conser- vationist takes place.