Logan County E-NEWS

Wednesday, July 06, 2011                                           Issue# 07 - 11

Logan County Farm Service Agency                Phone: (217) 735-5508 Ext. 2

1650 5th St                                                               Fax      : (217) 732-9916

Lincoln, IL    62656                                               Hours: M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 PM

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News & Information

Our goal is to provide as much information to our farmers, ranchers, landowners, agribusinesses, non-farm orientated citizens, students, and future email subscribers in the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way.  Issuing press releases and regular newsletters fulfill our minimal requirements in publicizing information, but as we have learned over the years, it's not enough. The Logan County E-News will be published periodically and used solely to compliment the other avenues of our information dissemination needs.  Subscription is free and the advice is still cheap.  We do not discriminate.  If you know someone that wants to subscribe, share this E-News with them.  If you know someone is not getting their E-News, they should contact our office or check with their Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Email provider and flag the Logan County E-News as "non-spam" or "acceptable".  Every time we issue E-News publications, we receive several returned messages due to the security filters your ISP uses.

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July 15^th - Deadline to Certify 2011 Crops

Next week is the final week to certify your 2011 crops.  All crops and CRP acreage need to be certified to stay in compliance with our farm programs.  Failure to do so will result in a noncompliance situation and a loss of farm program benefits.  Any farms certified after July 15^th will be charged a late filing fee (minimum of $46.00) and will require a field visit.

 

 

Pest Management & Crop Scouting

http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/index.html  (Integrated Pest Management)

 

 

September 1 – Deadline to Certify 2010 ACRE Production

ACRE Program participants are required to certify their 2010 production on all crops planted in 2010.  Please provide a 658 ACRE Production Form (PDF Format) by September 1^st 

 

 

 

Women Farmers

As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at USDA in past decades, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans. The claims process offers a streamlined alternative to litigation and provides at least $1.33 billion in compensation, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers.

This announcement follows the Obama Administration's settlement of longstanding litigation brought by African American farmers and Native American farmers.  In conjunction with this announcement, USDA is launching an outreach effort to potential claimants that will include a call center for farmers and ranchers, a website, public service announcements, and in-person meetings around the country. Individuals interested in participating in the claims process may register to receive a claims package, or may obtain more information, by visiting www.farmerclaims.gov. Beginning February 25, 2011, individuals can register to receive a claims package by calling the Farmer and Rancher Call Center at 1-888-508-4429. USDA cannot provide legal advice to potential claimants. Persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider.

 

 

Logan County FSA Committee Nominations needed

Nominations are needed for representation on the Logan County FSA Committee for Hurlbut, Elkhart, Laenna, Mount Pulaski, and Lake Fork townships. 

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2011 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2011.  Elections will take place this fall.

Help keep this unique grass roots system alive!

 

 

Land Of Lincoln Soil Savers Trip

The Land of Lincoln Soil Saver’s Committee has finalized plans for the Club’s summer tour of the Twin Groves Wind Farm east of Bloomington on Route 9 (pictured at the top of the page).  The group will also enjoy a baseball game and BBQ at CornBelters ballpark in Normal, Illinois.  This event will take place Thursday, July 21^st with the tour beginning at 3:30 P.M.

Reservations are needed for both events.  Please call Carolyn at 217-735-5508 ext. 3 for more information.

 

 

 

E-News!!!! Get relevant FSA information delivered to your computer or Smart Phone: Feel free to forward this on to other acquaintances so they may choose to join the distribution list. All you need to do to sign up is email me at John.Peters@il.usda.gov or stop in the office and fill out a brief E-News subscription form. ALL E-MAILS WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL

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Respectfully,

John Peters

John.Peters@il.usda.gov