2014 ACREAGE REPORTING DATES In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, and RMA, all producers are encouraged to contact the Crosby County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Crosby County: July 15, 2014: Spring Seeded Crops, CRP, Cotton, Sunflowers, Sorghum, Pumpkins, Alfalfa, Corn. 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.
Additionally, producers in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas can purchase both NAP and RMA coverage for 2014 annual forage crops. However, beginning in 2015, NAP coverage will not be available for annual forage crops in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas GUARANTEED LOAN ELIGIBILITY
Changes to FSA regulations have removed Guaranteed Operating Loan term limits. Previous and current guaranteed loan borrowers who were not eligible for further guaranteed loans due to the previous 15 year eligibility term limit may now be eligible for further guaranteed loans through their commercial lender. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE Any person convicted under federal or state law of a controlled substance violation could be ineligible for USDA payments or benefits. Violations include planting, harvesting or growing a prohibited plant. Prohibited plants include marijuana, opium, poppies and other drug producing plants. FARM RECONSTITUTIONS When changes in farm ownership or operation take place, a farm reconstitution is necessary. The reconstitution — or recon — is the process of combining or dividing farms or tracts of land based on the farming operation. The following are the different methods used when doing a farm recon. Estate Method — the division of bases, allotments and quotas for a parent farm among heirs in settling an estate; Designation of Landowner Method — may be used when (1) part of a farm is sold or ownership is transferred; (2) an entire farm is sold to two or more persons; (3) farm ownership is transferred to two or more persons; (4) part of a tract is sold or ownership is transferred; (5) a tract is sold to two or more persons; or (6) tract ownership is transferred to two or more persons. In order to use this method the land sold must have been owned for at least three years, or a waiver granted, and the buyer and seller must sign a Memorandum of Understanding; DCP Cropland Method — the division of bases in the same proportion that the DCP cropland for each resulting tract relates to the DCP cropland on the parent tract; Default Method — the division of bases for a parent farm with each tract maintaining the bases attributed to the tract level when the reconstitution is initiated in the system. Default Method — the division of bases for a parent farm with each tract maintaining the bases attributed to the tract level when the reconstitution is initiated in the system.
BANK ACCOUNT CHANGESCurrent policy mandates that FSA payments be electronically transferred into a bank account. In order for timely payments to be made, producers need to notify the FSA county office when an account has been changed or if another financial institution purchases the bank where payments are sent. Payments can be delayed if the FSA office is not aware of updates to bank accounts and routing numbers. FSA SIGNATURE POLICY Using the correct signature when doing business with FSA can save time and prevent a delay in program benefits. The following are FSA signature guidelines: · Spouses may sign documents on behalf of each other for FSA and CCC programs in which either has an interest, unless written notification denying a spouse this authority has been provided to the county office · Spouses shall not sign on behalf of each other as an authorized signatory for partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, or other similar entities For additional clarification on proper signatures contact your local FSA office. USDA SEEKS SPONSORS FOR SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP) The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for sponsors to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. SFSP is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). SFSP reimburses approved sponsors for serving meals that meet Federal nutritional guidelines. Sponsors receive payments from USDA based on the number of meals they serve. All meals are served free to eligible children, who are 18 years old and under at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children. Sponsors are organizations that manage SFSP feeding sites. Sponsors must be organizations that are fully capable of managing a food service program. To be a sponsor, you must follow regulations and be responsible, financially and administratively, for running your program. The following types of organizations can be sponsors: · Public or private nonprofit schools · Units of local, municipal, county, tribal, or State government · Private nonprofit organizations · Public or private nonprofit camps · Public or private nonprofit universities or colleges A sponsor may prepare its own meals, purchase meals through an agreement with an area school, or contract for meals with a food service management company (vendor). For questions or to apply, please contact Levi Morris - CED at 806-675-2303 or levi.morris@tx.usda.gov or visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS Special accommodations will be made upon request for individuals with disabilities, vision impairment or hearing impairment. If accommodations are required, individuals should contact the county FSA office staff directly or by phone. 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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