Logan County FSA Updates

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[February 17, 2020]    22 Days Left to Signup!!!! - The 2019 ARC/PLC deadline is nearly here. Your FSA farms will not be eligible for a 2019 potential payment if you fail to enroll by March 15, 2020.

Despite the temptation to continue to hold off on a program selection, producers are highly encouraged to sign up their farms NOW for the ARC/PLC programs. To begin the process, simply call our office and let any of the employees know what program you would like to elect for each of your crops on each of your farms. By calling ahead, our office will have your contracts prepared in advance of your visit, saving you valuable time at the office.

The 2018 Farm Bill allows producers to choose which commodity program to participate in for the respective crops. The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed revenue level. The Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program provides income support payments on historical base acres when the marketing year average price for a covered commodity falls below its effective reference price.

Signup for the 2019 crop year closes March 15, 2020! Please do not miss the deadline, as missing the deadline will cause you to forfeit any potential government payments that may trigger!

Additionally, farm owners have a one-time opportunity to update the PLC payment yields beginning with crop year 2020. PLC yields will be calculated using actual production yields for crop years 2013 through 2017. For the proper forms or more information, please visit or call the office.

For more information on ARC and PLC including two online decision tools that assist producers in making enrollment and election decisions specific to their operations, visit the ARC and PLC webpage.


USDA Reminds Producers of Feb. 28 Deadline for Conservation Reserve Program General Signup

USDA opened signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on December 9, 2019. The deadline for agricultural producers to sign up for general CRP is February 28, 2020, while signup for continuous CRP is ongoing.

Farmers and ranchers who enroll in CRP receive a yearly rental payment for voluntarily establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees (known as “covers”) to control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands.

CRP has 22 million acres enrolled, but the 2018 Farm Bill lifted the cap to 27 million acres. This means farmers and ranchers have a chance to enroll in CRP for the first time or continue their participation for another term.

By enrolling in CRP, producers are improving water quality, reducing soil erosion, and restoring habitat for wildlife. This in turn spurs hunting, fishing, recreation, tourism, and other economic development across rural America.

CRP Enrollment Options

General Signup

CRP general signup will be held annually. The competitive general signup will now include increased opportunities for enrollment of wildlife habitat through the State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative. 

Continuous Signup

While some practices under SAFE will remain available through continuous signup, CRP continuous signup will focus primarily on water quality with the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative. The 2018 Farm Bill prioritizes water quality practices such as contour grass strips, filter strips, riparian buffers, wetlands and a new prairie strip.

USDA will also be working with Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partners to relaunch CREP continuous options in each state under new statutory provisions. CREP will continue to target high-priority local, state or regional conservation concerns.

Grasslands Signups

CRP Grasslands signup helps landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland, and pastureland and certain other lands while maintaining the areas as grazing lands. A separate CRP Grasslands signup will be offered each year following general signup.

 

 

 

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Pilot Programs

Later in 2020, (FSA will roll out pilot programs within CRP: CLEAR 30, which allows contracts expiring with CLEAR practices to be reenrolled in 30-year contracts and in the Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) in the prairie pothole region. More information on these programs will be announced in the new year.

Land Transition

The CRP Transition Incentives Program (TIP) is an option for producers interested in transitioning land to a beginning farmer or rancher or a member of a socially disadvantaged group to return land to production for sustainable grazing or crop production. CRP contract holders no longer need to be a retired or retiring owner or operator to transition their land. TIP participants may have a lease less than five years with an option to purchase, and they have two years before the end of the CRP contract to make conservation and land improvements. 

Previously Expired Land

Land enrolled in CRP under a 15-year contract that expired in September 2017, 2018 or 2019, may be eligible for enrollment if there was no opportunity for re-enrollment and the practice under the expired contract has been maintained.   

CRP Rates and Payments

FSA recently posted updated soil rental rates for CRP. County average rates are posted on the CRP Statistics webpage. Soil rental rates are statutorily prorated at 90 percent for continuous signup and 85 percent for general signup. The rental rates will be assessed annually. Under continuous signup, producers also receive incentives, including a signup incentive payment and a practice incentive payment.

To enroll in CRP, contact your local FSA county office or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.


Guaranteed Loan Program

FSA guaranteed loans allow lenders to provide agricultural credit to farmers who do not meet the lender's normal underwriting criteria. Farmers and ranchers apply for a guaranteed loan through a lender, and the lender arranges for the guarantee. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. Guaranteed loans can be used for both farm ownership and operating purposes.

Guaranteed farm ownership loans can be used to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings, develop farmland to promote soil and water conservation or to refinance debt.

Guaranteed operating loans can be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance and other operating expenses.

FSA can guarantee farm ownership and operating loans up to $1,776,000. Repayment terms vary depending on the type of loan, collateral and the producer's ability to repay the loan. Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years and farm ownership loans are not to exceed 40 years.

Please contact your lender or local FSA farm loan office for more information on guaranteed loans.

Logan County FSA Office
1650 5th St
Lincoln, IL 62656
Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: 217-735-5508
Fax:855-693-7125

Acting County Executive Director:
James Woodley

Farm Loan Officer:
Brittany Branson

Program Technicians:
Ann Curry
Tammy Edwards
Chelsie Peddicord
Danielle Young

County Committee:
Tim Southerlan - Chairman
Kenton Stoll- Vice Chairman
Dennis Ramlow - Member
Kathy Wilham - Advisor

Next County Committee Meeting: March 5, 2020

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this meeting should contact James Woodley at 217-735-5508 extension 2 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

 

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