2014 Acreage Reporting Dates In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Virginia: July 15, 2014: CRP, corn, soybeans, all tobacco types, spring planted grains, cotton, peanuts, potatoes, beans (planted 5/26-7/10), tomatoes (fresh, planted 5/16-7/5), tomatoes (all other uses, planted on or before 6/15), and all other crops not associated with a date below. August 15, 2014: Cabbage (planted 4/16-7/10) , September 15, 2014: Beans (planted 7/15-9/5), November 15, 2014: Apiculture, PRF/Perennial Forage, January 15, 2015: Apples, Peaches, Fall-Seeded Small Grains, May 15, 2015: Cabbage (planted 3/16-4/15), Spring Oats, Potatoes, Tomatoes (fresh, planted 4/10-5/15) and June 15, 2015: Beans (planted 3/4-5/25). The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates: If the crop has not been planted by the above average reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed. If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office. If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of "cover only," "green manure," "left standing," or "seed," then the acreage must be reported by July 15th. Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins. Signup Restarts for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Farmers and landowners committed to protecting and conserving environmentally sensitive land may sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) beginning June 9. CRP 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 (known as "covers") to control soil erosion, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat. CRP consists of a "continuous" and "general" sign-up period. 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. The opportunities available to farmers and landowners under the continuous CRP and CREP programs are practical and flexible. Since the Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) began enrolling land in CREP in 2002, thousands of participating farmers and landowners made a commitment to protecting natural resources in Virginia by enrolling in CREP. The "enhanced" version of the national CRP program aims to improve Virginia's water quality and wildlife habitat by offering financial incentives, cost-share and rental payments to farmers who voluntarily restore or create: · Filter Strips, · Riparian forest buffers, · Grass and shrub buffers, · Wetlands. CREP helps producers overcome financial barriers of buffer projects and grazing systems by providing financial incentives and cost-share reimbursement for expenses; including costs for associated components such as wells, pipeline, watering troughs, and livestock crossings. CREP participants quickly realize that the program offers more than environmental benefit and peace of mind. Livestock producers see herd health benefits after excluding animals from natural water sources. A decreased instance of waterborne illness, improved rate of gain, and overall production benefits are a few. Crop producers also enjoy economic benefit from removing marginal, shaded field border from production and dedicating those acres to a conserving use. Input costs are reduced on enrolled acres and CREP also provides an annual rental payment on the acres. Producers who decide to offer acreage for enrollment in CREP will benefit from technical assistance from Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS helps CREP participants by assessing natural resources on the farm and helping to determine conservation objectives and make decisions. Offers to enroll in CRP and CREP will be accepted at all FSA offices beginning June 9. For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit a local FSA county office or go online to www.fsa.usda.gov.
Reconstitution DeadlineProducers or owners wishing to combine or divide tracts of land within a farm should request these changes by August 1st. If tracts are listed on your farm that you no longer use for planting crops, or if new tracts should be included in your farm number, please request changes to our records. Livestock Disaster Assistance Sign-up Underway
Livestock Disaster Program enrollment opened on April 15, 2014. These disaster programs are authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill as permanent programs and provide retroactive authority to cover losses that occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011. To expedite applications, all producers who experienced losses are encouraged to bring records documenting those losses to their local FSA Office. Producers should record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including: - Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses,
- Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts,
- Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures,
- Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed and
- Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records.
Eligible producers can sign-up for the following livestock disaster assistance programs: Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): LIP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered 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. Producers who suffered livestock death losses should submit a notice of loss and an application for payment to their local FSA office by January 30, 2015. Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP): ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish that have losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by LFP and LIP. Producers who suffered eligible livestock, honeybee or farm-raised fish losses during 2012 and 2013 program years must submit a notice of loss and application for payment to their local FSA office by August 1, 2014. For 2014 program year losses, the notice of loss and an application for payment must be submitted by November 1, 2014. Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land. Eligible producers must physically be located in a county affected by a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county. Producers who suffered eligible grazing losses should submit a completed CCC-853 and supporting documentation by January 30, 2015. For more information, producers can review the LFP, LIP and ELAP Fact Sheets on the Farm Bill webpage. Producers are encouraged to make an appointment with their local FSA office to apply for these programs.
USDA Enhances Farm Storage Facility Loan Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the expansion of the Farm Storage and Facility Loan program, which provides low-interest financing to producers. The enhanced program includes 22 new categories of eligible equipment for fruit and vegetable producers. Producers with small and mid-sized operations, and specialty crop fruit and vegetable growers, now have access to needed capital for a variety of supplies including sorting bins, wash stations and other food safety-related equipment. A new more flexible alternative is also provided for determining storage needs for fruit and vegetable producers, and waivers are available on a case-by-case basis for disaster assistance or insurance coverage if available products are not relevant or feasible for a particular producer. Additionally, Farm Storage Facility Loan security requirements have been eased for loans up to $100,000. Previously, all loans in excess of $50,000 and any loan with little resale value required a promissory note/security agreement and additional security, such as a lien on real estate. Now loans up to $50,000 can be secured by only a promissory note/security agreement and some loans between $50,000 and $100,000 will no longer require additional security. The low-interest funds can be used to build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities. Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables. Qualified facilities include grain bins, hay barns and cold storage facilities for fruits and vegetables. Contact your local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov for more about FSA programs and loans, including the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program. Dates to Remember - June 9 - Sept. 30, 2014 - CRP Signup 46 - County Offices are authorized to begin accepting new offers under all CRP continuous, CREP, FWP, and SAFE signup types according to 2-CRP.
- June 16 - Aug 1 - Nominations for COC to be submitted to USDA Service Center
- July 4, 2014 - Independence Day - office will be closed
- July 15, 2014 - Deadline for Acreage Reports: Beans (planted 5/26-7/10), Tomatoes (fresh, planted 5/16-7/5), tomatoes (all other uses, planted on or before 6/15), ALL other crops (CRP, Tobacco, Grain Sorghum, Corn, Millet, Peanuts, Cotton, Wildlife Food Plots)
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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