USDA KICKS OFF THE 2014 "FEDS FEED FAMILIES" NATIONWIDE FOOD DRIVE USDA kicked off the 6th annual Feds Feed Families Campaign on June 2, 2014. The food drive is an annual event in which Federal employees, nationwide, collect food for distribution by food banks, food pantries, and shelters. The Feds Feed Families program started in 2009. The 2014 food drive officially began on June 2 and will run through August 27. All Federal agencies across the country participate in the campaign and Federal employees are asked to donate non-perishable food items throughout the summer. Donations are given to local food banks across the country – having a positive impact to help food banks address food insecurity. Secretary Vilsack noted that the latest USDA estimates show that in 2012, food insecurity affected 14.5 percent of American households at some point. If you are interested in making a donation to the annual "Feds Feed Families" Food Drive, please contact your local USDA Service Center at the address and phone number listed above. For more information on the Feds Feed Families campaign, please visit: http://www.usda.gov/fedsfeedfamilies. FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTIONS The election of agricultural producers to Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers, whether beginning or long-established with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer participate in these elections because FSA county committees are a link between the agricultural community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) County committee members are a critical component of the operations of FSA. They help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers and ranchers who serve on county committees help with the decisions necessary to administer the programs in their counties. They work to ensure FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers. The election period began June 15, 2014 and will run through August 1, 2014 for the election area of LAA 1 in Columbus County and LAA II in Brunswick County. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign a nomination form FSA-669A. The form includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected. This form is available at the Columbus and Brunswick FSA offices and online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2014 election must be postmarked or received in the Columbus or Brunswick FSA County Office by close of business on August 1, 2014.
EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS As you know, Columbus and Brunswick Counties have been approved for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). The following practices are approved; EC-1 Debris Removal from farmland and EC-3 Fence Repair, following the February, 2014 Ice storm that severely damaged both counties. Spot checks are being made to ECP producer to gauge the damage and view the process of your clean-up. Clean-up guidelines that should be followed for EC-1 Debris Removal – This is designed to clean debris from Crop fields including; Hay land, Pasture land, row crops as well as the farm roads leading to the fields. This practice is intended to assist with just the removal of the debris from the field. Removal includes either pushing it into the wood line of the field or stacking for burning, hauling etc. Once the debris is removed from the field the remaining hours should not be deemed as ECP requested funded hours. Fence Repair guidelines that should be followed for EC-3 Fence Repair – This is designed to correct damage to fences caused by natural disaster. EC-3 is authorized for restoring or replacing fences needed to restore the land to productive agriculture use. Cross fences, boundary fences, cattle gates are authorized. The simple fence reconstruction with minor damage when materials from the previous fence are used is not authorized. Other types of fencing that are not authorized are; corrals, feedlots and holding pens. *Note- Livestock is required to be on hand to be eligible for EC-3. Livestock for ECP purposes are those used for food or fiber. September 30, 2014, is the deadline for the practices to be complete and documentation returned to the Columbus or Brunswick Farm Service Agency. Documentation needed to verify completion: Written bills for your own labor and equipment as well as hours and copies of bills received for work that was hired out. The supporting documents should be separated by Farm and Tract numbers.
If you have questions or if you need assistance with the documentation we will be happy to provide the help needed to complete the request. 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 their local FSA office to set up an appointment with a loan official. LOANS FOR THE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FSA has a number of loan programs available to assist applicants to begin or continue in agriculture production. Loans are available for operating type loans and/or purchase or improve farms or ranches. While all qualified producers are eligible to apply for these loan programs, the FSA has provided priority funding for members of socially disadvantaged applicants. A socially disadvantaged applicant is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as members of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. For purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. FSA loans are only available to applicants who meet all the eligibility requirements and are unable to obtain the needed credit elsewhere. HIGHLY ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND COMPLIANCE Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, they must be compliant with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions. Farmers with HEL determined soils must apply tillage, crop residue and rotation requirements as specified in their conservation plan. Producers should notify FSA prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to ensure compliance. If you intend to clear any trees to create new cropland, these areas will need to be reviewed to ensure any work will not jeopardize your eligibility for benefits. Landowners and operators can complete form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification to determine whether a referral to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is necessary. For more information on Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions, contact a FSA County Office or visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov. 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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