Logan County FSA Updates

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[March 29, 2016]    2016 ARC/PLC Program - SIGN UP NOW - Producers MUST ANNUALLY sign their ARC/PLC contracts in order to be eligible for payment. Please stop by the office now to take care of signature requirements before spring planting begins. No appointment is necessary.

2016 NAP Signup

The Noninsurable Crop Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting. Eligible crops are any commercial crops or other agricultural commodities grown for food or fiber or specifically included by statute. These crops include vegetables, fruits, nursery, hay, ornamental, flowers, etc.

The basic fee for catastrophic level (CAT) coverage is $250 per crop, not to exceed $750 per county, not to exceed $1,875 per producer, which provides coverage for 50% of the expected production at 55% of the average market price the for the crop. The 2014 Farm Bill authorizes additional coverage levels ranging from 50 to 65% of production, in 5% increments, at 100% of the average market price. Additional coverage must be elected by a producer by the application closing date. Producers who elect additional coverage must pay a premium in addition to the service fee.

The final date to purchase coverage for 2016 spring seeded crops is March 15, 2016, while the deadline to purchase coverage for hay, apples, peaches and other perennial crops was September 30, 2015.

Verifiable evidence is needed to establish actual production history (APH) for coverage benefits. After paying the fee for coverage, producers are responsible for annually certifying production and acreage, requesting appraisals timely, providing production evidence in an organized manner easily understood by the FSA committee, filing a notice of loss timely, and providing detailed information regarding crop varieties, planting methods, planting dates, tillage methods and harvest methods.

If you would like more information about the NAP program, please contact the Logan County FSA office.

FSA Farm Loans

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes and guarantees loans to family farmers and ranchers to promote, build and sustain family farms in support of a thriving agricultural economy. Farmers may apply for direct loans at local FSA offices. Guaranteed loans may be available from commercial lenders who apply for loan guarantees from FSA.

The goal of FSA’s farm loan program is to graduate its borrowers to commercial credit. Once a farmer is able to obtain credit from the commercial lending sector, the agency’s mission of providing temporary, supervised credit is complete.

FSA’s loan programs are designed to help family farmers to start, purchase, or expand their farming operation. In many cases, these are beginning farmers who need additional financial and business assistance to qualify for commercial credit. In other cases, they are farmers who have suffered financial setbacks from natural disasters, or who need additional resources with which to establish and maintain profitable farming operations.

 


Some farmers obtain their credit needs through the use of loan guarantees. Under a guaranteed loan, a commercial lender makes and services the loan, and FSA guarantees it against loss up to a maximum of 90 percent in most cases. In certain limited circumstances, a 95-percent guarantee is available. FSA has the responsibility of approving all eligible loan guarantees and providing oversight of lenders’ activities.

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For those not yet meeting the qualifications for a loan guarantee from a commercial lender, FSA also makes direct loans, which are serviced by an FSA official. FSA has the responsibility of providing credit counseling and supervision to its direct borrowers by making a thorough assessment of the farming operation. FSA helps applicants evaluate the adequacy of the real estate and facilities, machinery and equipment, financial and production management, and the applicant’s goals. FSA assists the applicant in identifying and prioritizing areas needing improvement in all phases of the operation. An FSA official then works one-on-one with the applicant to develop and to help strengthen the identified areas that ultimately result in the applicant’s graduation to commercial credit.

FSA’s farm loans have a variety of types of loans available including, but not limited to, farm ownership, farm operating, youth loans, emergency loans, conservation loans, and loans targeted to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers.

Important Dates to Remember

  • March 15 Final Date to purchase 2016 Spring Seeded Crop NAP Coverage
  • March 31 Final Date to Apply for Marketing Assistance Loan for 2015 harvested Wheat
  • April 1 CRP Continuous Contracts expiring September 30, 2016 can begin re-enrollment
  • April 15 Primary Nesting Season begins (*do NOT disturb CRP acres until August 2nd*)
  • May 30 Memorial Day - Office Closed
  • May 31 Final Date to Apply for Marketing Assistance Loan for 2015 fall harvested crops
  • Continuous Farm Record Changes
  • Continuous Farm Storage Facility Loan Applications
  • Continuous Continuous CRP Signup (waterways, filter strips, field borders, pollinator habitat)

Questions?

Please contact, John Peters, County Executive Director, at 217-735-5508 ext 2, john.peters@il.usda.gov or for Farm Loans, please contact Tony Schmillen, Farm Loan Manager, at 217-735-5508 ext 2, tony.schmillen@il.usda.gov

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. 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).

Logan County USDA
1650 5th Street
Lincoln, IL, 62656
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Phone: 217-735-5508 ext. 2
Fax: 855-693-7125

County Committee:
Dennis Ramlow - Chairman
Tim Southerlan - Vice Chairman
Kenton Stoll - Member
Dorothy Gleason - Advisor

County Executive Director:
John Peters

Program Technicians:
Ann Curry
Tammy Edwards
Mari Anne Komnick
Cindy Mayfield
Chelsie Peddicord

Farm Loan Manager:
Tony Schmillen

Next COC Meeting : March 30th

 

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