Fwd: El Paso-Hudspeth-Culberson Co. Newsletter June 2014

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: USDA Farm Service Agency <usdafsa@service.govdelivery.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 20, 2014 at 9:09 AM
Subject: El Paso-Hudspeth-Culberson Co. Newsletter June 2014
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

June 2014 Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. REQUIRED:  Insert Table of Contents Here El Paso-Hudspeth-Culberson County FSA Office 11940 Don Haskins Suite E-2 El Paso, Texas 79936 Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM MDT Phone: 915-857-0351x2 Fax: 915-857-7283 County Executive Director: Jaime Bustamante Program Technicians: Veronica Duran Farm Loan Manager: Ryne McKinney (Acting) Program Technicians: Lori Jete Next County Committee Meeting:  July 10th at 9:00 AM 2014 ACREAGE REPORTING DATES In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the El Paso-Hudspeth-Culberson County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson County: July 15, 2014:                     Cotton (Upland & ELS), Grain Sorghum for grain, Sorghum Forage to Include sudan, Mixed Forages (ICG, LEG, LCG, and LGM), Peppers (chili), Pumpkins, Watermelons, Corn, CRP, and All other crops  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. Producers that are planning to report prevented planting had 15 days from the final planting date, those dates have passed.  However, you may still late-file the prevented planted acres but a late file fee will apply. For questions regarding crop certification and crop loss reports, please contact the El Paso-Hudspeth-Culberson County FSA office at (915) 857-0351 x2. 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 Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records   Eligible producers can sign-up for the following livestock disaster assistance programs:   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.  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.  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 AWARDING $6 MILLION TO PREPARE FARMERS FOR NEW FARM BILL PROGRAMS    USDA is awarding $6 million to universities and cooperative state extension services to develop online decision tools and other materials and train experts to educate producers about several key farm bill programs. The new Web tools will help farmers and ranchers determine what participation in programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will mean for their businesses.  The University of Illinois (lead for the National Coalition for Producer Education), along with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri and the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M (co-leads for the National Association of Agricultural and Food Policy), will receive a total of $3 million to develop the new online tools and train state-based extension agents who can in turn help educate farmers.  The new resources will help farmers and ranchers make an educated choice between the new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. Using the new online tools, producers will be able to use data unique to their specific farming operations combined with factors like the geographical diversity of crops, soils, weather and climates across the country to test a variety of financial scenarios before officially signing up for the new program options later this year.  Once a producer enrolls in the ARC or PLC program, he or she must remain in the program through the 2018 crop year.  New tools will be provided for other programs as well. Sign-up for the newly established Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP) begins late this summer and enrollment for "buy-up" provisions under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) will begin early next year.  An online MPP tool will be available when sign up begins and the NAP buy-up provision resource will become available to producers in the fall for the 2015 crop year.  USDA will also award $3 million to state cooperative extension services—a nationwide network of experts based at land-grant universities—for outreach and education on the new Farm Bill programs. Funds will be used to conduct public education outreach meetings where producers can speak with local extension agents and Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff.  Outreach meetings will begin late this summer to help farmers and ranchers understand the new programs and their options.  While universities work to create new online tools, producers now have access to a preliminary website that gives them a chance to begin familiarizing themselves with the new programs and the type of information they will need to consider when deciding which program options work better for them. At this site, farmers and ranchers can view ARC and PLC projected payments, ARC guarantees, and PLC payment rate projections. These tables are available on the FSA website.  Visit www.fsa.usda.gov or the local FSA office for information about FSA and the 2014 Farm Bill programs. The University of Illinois (lead for the National Coalition for Producer Education), along with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri and the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M (co-leads for the National Association of Agricultural and Food Policy), will receive a total of $3 million to develop the new online tools and train state-based extension agents who can in turn help educate farmers.  The new resources will help farmers and ranchers make an educated choice between the new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. Using the new online tools, producers will be able to use data unique to their specific farming operations combined with factors like the geographical diversity of crops, soils, weather and climates across the country to test a variety of financial scenarios before officially signing up for the new program options later this year.  Once a producer enrolls in the ARC or PLC program, he or she must remain in the program through the 2018 crop year.  New tools will be provided for other programs as well. Sign-up for the newly established Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP) begins late this summer and enrollment for "buy-up" provisions under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) will begin early next year.  An online MPP tool will be available when sign up begins and the NAP buy-up provision resource will become available to producers in the fall for the 2015 crop year.  USDA will also award $3 million to state cooperative extension services—a nationwide network of experts based at land-grant universities—for outreach and education on the new Farm Bill programs. Funds will be used to conduct public education outreach meetings where producers can speak with local extension agents and Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff.  Outreach meetings will begin late this summer to help farmers and ranchers understand the new programs and their options.  While universities work to create new online tools, producers now have access to a preliminary website that gives them a chance to begin familiarizing themselves with the new programs and the type of information they will need to consider when deciding which program options work better for them. At this site, farmers and ranchers can view ARC and PLC projected payments, ARC guarantees, and PLC payment rate projections. These tables are available on the FSA website.  Visit www.fsa.usda.gov or the local FSA office for information about FSA and the 2014 Farm Bill programs. NEW FARM BILL OFFERS INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCERS The 2014 Farm Bill offers increased opportunities for producers including farm loan program modifications that create flexibility for new and existing farmers.  A fact sheet outlining modifications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is available here.   The Farm Bill expands lending opportunities for thousands of farmers and ranchers to begin and continue operations, including greater flexibility in determining eligibility, raising loan limits, and emphasizing beginning and socially disadvantaged producers.      Changes that will take effect immediately include:   Elimination of the 15 year term limit for guaranteed operating loans. Modification of the definition of beginning farmer, using the average farm size for the county as a qualifier instead of the median farm size. Modification of the Joint Financing Direct Farm Ownership Interest Rate to 2 percent less than regular Direct Farm Ownership rate, with a floor of 2.5 percent. Previously, the rate was established at 5 percent. Increase of the maximum loan amount for Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment Loan Program from $225,000 to $300,000. Elimination of rural residency requirement for Youth Loans, allowing urban youth to benefit. Debt forgiveness on Youth Loans, which will not prevent borrowers from obtaining additional loans from the federal government. Increase of the guaranteed percentage on Conservation Loans from 75 to 80 percent and 90 percent for socially disadvantaged borrowers and beginning farmers. Microloans will not count toward direct operating loan term limits for veterans and beginning farmers. Additional modifications must be implemented through the rulemaking processes. Visit the FSA Farm Bill website for detailed information and updates to farm loan programs. Additional modifications must be implemented through the rulemaking processes. Visit the FSA Farm Bill website for detailed information and updates to farm loan programs. USDA ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO FRUIT, VEGETABLE AND WILD RICE PLANTING RULES Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014.   Producers who intend to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are subject to an acre-for-acre payment reduction when fruits and nuts, vegetables or wild rice are planted on the payment acres of a farm.  Payment reductions do not apply to mung beans, dry peas, lentils or chickpeas.  Planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on acres that are not considered payment acres will not result in a payment reduction.  Farms that are eligible to participate in ARC/PLC but are not enrolled for a particular year may plant unlimited fruits, vegetables and wild rice for that year but will not receive ARC/PLC payments for that year.  Eligibility for succeeding years is not affected.   Planting and harvesting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on ARC/PLC acreage is subject to the acre-for-acre payment reduction when those crops are planted on either more than 15 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC using the county coverage or PLC, or more than 35 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC using the individual coverage.  Fruits, vegetables and wild rice that are planted in a double-cropping practice will not cause a payment reduction if the farm is in a double-cropping region as designated by the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation. FSA SIGNATURE POLICY AND BANK ACCOUNT CHANGES 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.  Bank Account Changes: Current 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. 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. DATES TO REMEMBER & INTEREST RATES July 4th – Office closed to observe Independence Day July 15th – Final day to report and certify 2014 crops LFP, ELAP & LIP Sign up in Progress Other items of interest & reminders, call us for more information (915) 857-0351 x2: Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL – crop loans) 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Average Adjusted Gross Income Compliance Reviews Guaranteed Loan Program Direct Loan Changes USDA Prepares to Accept MAL and LDP Requests; Sets 2014 MAL Loan Rates USDA Announces the Extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract Program for 2014 Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Compliance Hay Net Save Time – Make an Appointment with FSA USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offers Farm Bill Website and Online Overview Beginning Farmer Loans Loans for the Socially Disadvantaged Microloan Program USDA Enhances Farm Storage Facility Loan Program Controlled Substance Farm Reconstitutions USDA Seeks Sponsors For SUMMER Food Service Program (SFSP) Interest Rates: Farm Operating Loans – Direct          2.25% Farm Ownership Loans – Direct        4.00% Emergency Loans                              3.25% Farm Ownership Loans with Down Payment, Beginning                 1.5% Farmer or Rancher (please call for details) Farm Storage Facility Loans              2.25% Commodity Loans                              1.125% 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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Jeremy Tobias Matthews