2014 Acreage Reporting Dates In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Baltimore County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Baltimore County: May 15, 2014: Spring Forage Seeding, Peas (Green only), Potatoes July 15, 2014: Lima Beans, all other crops including corn & soybeans August 15, 2014: Beans (all types except Limas), CRP December 15, 2014: 2015 Fall Forage Seeding, Perennial Forage, Fall-Seeded Small Grains To schedule an appointment please contact the FSA office at 410-527-5920 Extension 2. Conservation Reserve Program Restarts
Signup for the Conservation Reserve Program--Continuous Signup and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)--reopened on June 9th. The Conservation Reserve Program provides incentives to producers who utilize conservation methods on environmentally-sensitive lands. For example, farmers are monetarily compensated for establishing long-term vegetative species, such as approved grasses or trees to control soil erosion, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat. CRP consists of a "continuous" and "general" sign-up period. Continuous sign up for the voluntary program starts June 9. Under continuous sign-up authority, eligible land can be enrolled in CRP at any time with contracts of up to 10 to 15 years in duration. In lieu of a general sign-up this year, USDA will allow producers with general CRP contracts expiring this September to have the option of a one-year contract extension. USDA will also implement the 2014 Farm Bill's requirement that producers enrolled through general sign-up for more than five years can exercise the option to opt-out of the program if certain other conditions are met. In addition, the new grassland provisions, which will allow producers to graze their enrolled land, will enable producers to do so with more flexibility. Recently letters were mailed to producers holding CRP contracts which are due to expire on September 30, 2014. Producers may request approval for re-enrollment of their contracts. The CREP program aims to improve water quality and wildlife habitat by offering financial incentives, cost-share and rental payments to participants who voluntarily create practices such as Riparian Buffers and Filter Strips. Producers interested in the CREP program should contact our office for additional details. (410)527-5920 Farm Service Agency Announces Tree Assistance Program As of Tuesday, April 15, 2014, orchardists and nursery tree growers who experienced losses from natural disasters that occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011, can sign up for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). TAP was authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 as a permanent disaster program. TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters. Eligible tree types include trees, bushes or vines that produce an annual crop for commercial purposes. Nursery trees include ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees that are produced for commercial sale. Trees used for pulp or timber are ineligible. To qualify for TAP, orchardists must suffer a qualifying tree, bush or vine loss in excess of 15 percent mortality from an eligible natural disaster. The eligible trees, bushes or vines must have been owned when the natural disaster occurred; however, eligible growers are not required to own the land on which the eligible trees, bushes and vines were planted. If the TAP application is approved, the eligible trees, bushes and vines must be replaced within 12 months from the date the application is approved. The cumulative total quantity of acres planted to trees, bushes or vines, for which a producer can receive TAP payments, cannot exceed 500 acres annually. Eligible tree types include trees, bushes or vines that produce an annual crop for commercial purposes. Nursery trees include ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees that are produced for commercial sale. Trees used for pulp or timber are ineligible. To qualify for TAP, orchardists must suffer a qualifying tree, bush or vine loss in excess of 15 percent mortality from an eligible natural disaster. The eligible trees, bushes or vines must have been owned when the natural disaster occurred; however, eligible growers are not required to own the land on which the eligible trees, bushes and vines were planted. If the TAP application is approved, the eligible trees, bushes and vines must be replaced within 12 months from the date the application is approved. The cumulative total quantity of acres planted to trees, bushes or vines, for which a producer can receive TAP payments, cannot exceed 500 acres annually. County Committee Nomination Period Begins The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees began June 15, 2014. To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where the person is nominated. Farmers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2014 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2014. Elections will take place this fall. While FSA county committees make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. FSA will mail ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 3, 2014. Ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 1, 2014. Newly elected committee members take office on Jan. 1, 2015. Rates & Dates June 2014 Interest Rates Commodity Loans 1.125% Farm Storage Facility Loans (7 years) 2.25% Farm Storage Facility Loans (10 years) 2.625% Farm Storage Facility Loans (12 years) 2.75% Dates to Remember July 4 Independence Day holiday, office closed July 15 Acreage Reports due for spring planted crops August 1 Last day to file nomination forms for 2014 County Committee election—Local Area 1 August 18 Farm Bill Workshop, 10 am – 3 pm, Baltimore County Ag Center
To ensure maximum use of your time, please call ahead for an appointment and to discuss documentation you may need. Baltimore FSA wants to provide customers the best service possible. (410)527-5920 Extension 2 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 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). | 
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