2014 ACREAGE REPORTING DATES In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Madison/Buncombe County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Buncombe County: July 15, 2014: Tobacco, Corn, Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash, CRP September 15, 2014: Cabbage PP2 September 30, 2014: Aquaculture The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates: - If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage 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. For questions regarding crop certification and crop loss reports, please contact the Madison/Buncombe County FSA office at 828-649-2712. 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
- 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 the Madison/Buncombe County FSA office by January 30, 2015. Emergency Assistance for Honeybees (ELAP)
ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of honeybees that have losses due to direct result of adverse weather of loss condition including but not limited to colony collapse disorder, earthquake, eligible winter storm, excessive wind, flood, hurricane, lighting, tornado, volcanic eruption, or wild fire. ELAP compensates producers for honeybee colony losses that occur in excess of normal mortality (17.5%) because of an eligible adverse weather or loss condition during a program year (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30). ELAP also provides compensation to honeybee producers for eligible honeybee hive losses because of eligible adverse weather condition. Honeybee producers who suffered losses during 2012 and 2013 program years must submit a notice of loss and application for payment to the Madison/Buncombe FSA Office by August 1, 2014. For 2014 program year losses, the notice of loss and application for payment must be submitted by November 1, 2014. Honeybee producers who have ad losses dating back to October 1, 2011 should contact the Madison/Buncombe County FSA office to apply and/or obtain additional information on theis program. MICROLOAN PROGRAM The Farm Service Agency (FSA) developed the Microloan (ML) program to better serve the unique financial operating needs of beginning, niche and small family farm operations. FSA offers applicants a Microloan designed to help farmers with credit needs of $35,000 or less. The loan features a streamlined application process built to fit the needs of new and smaller producers. This loan program will also be useful to specialty crop producers and operators of community supported agriculture (CSA). Eligible applicants can apply for a maximum amount of $35,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing season, essential tools, irrigation and annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and distribution expenses. As financing needs increase, applicants can apply for a regular operating loan up to the maximum amount of $300,000 or obtain financing from a commercial lender under FSA's Guaranteed Loan Program. Individuals who are interested in applying for a microloan or would like to discuss other farm loan programs available should contact the Madison/Buncombe FSA office to set up an appointment with a loan official. HAY NET Producers are encouraged to use Hay Net on the FSA website (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/haynet). This online service allows producers with hay and those who need hay to post ads so they can make connections. Hay Net is a popular site for farmers and ranchers who have an emergency need. Individual ads can be posted free of charge by producers who complete a simple online registration form the first time they use the site. 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). | 
No comments:
Post a Comment