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				 He was nominated with 120 votes and began his term January 1, 
				2017. We would like to thank all who voted and continue to 
				encourage nominees for future elections. Being part of the 
				county committee is a unique opportunity to have an influence of 
				federal farm programs at the local level. 
 If you have any further questions or are interested in future 
				elections, please visit www.fsa.usda.gov or contact the Logan 
				County FSA office at (217)735-5508, ext. 2.
 
              
                ARC/PLC Enrollment for 2017
 The 2017 ARC/PLC Enrollment is well underway in the Logan County 
				FSA Office! The enrollment period began November 1, 2016 and 
				will run through August 1, 2017. We encourage you to make a trip 
				to the office this Winter, before getting busy with Spring field 
				work. Informing the FSA office of any farm changes prior to your 
				arrival will insure that we get your paperwork completed as 
				quickly and thoroughly as we can.
 
              
                
				 
              
				Contracts must be signed each year to receive program coverage. 
				If all signatures have not been obtained by the end of the 
				enrollment period, your farm(s) will be deemed ineligible and 
				you will not receive any possible financial assistance for that 
				fiscal year.
 If you have questions or need to contact the office, please call 
				(217)735-5508, ext. 2.
 
              
                USDA Announces Streamlined Guaranteed Loans and Additional 
				Lender Category for Small-Scale Operators
 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 
				availability of a streamlined version of USDA guaranteed loans, 
				which are tailored for smaller scale farms and urban producers. 
				The program, called EZ Guarantee Loans, uses a simplified 
				application process to help beginning, small, underserved and 
				family farmers and ranchers apply for loans of up to $100,000 
				from USDA-approved lenders to purchase farmland or finance 
				agricultural operations.
 
 USDA today also unveiled a new category of lenders that will 
				join traditional lenders, such as banks and credit unions, in 
				offering USDA EZ Guarantee Loans. Microlenders, which include 
				Community Development Financial Institutions and Rural 
				Rehabilitation Corporations, will be able to offer their 
				customers up to $50,000 of EZ Guaranteed Loans, helping to reach 
				urban areas and underserved producers. Banks, credit unions and 
				other traditional USDA-approved lenders, can offer customers up 
				to $100,000 to help with agricultural operation costs.
 
 EZ Guarantee Loans offer low interest rates and terms up to 
				seven years for financing operating expenses and 40 years for 
				financing the purchase of farm real estate. USDA-approved 
				lenders can issue these loans with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) 
				guaranteeing the loan up to 95 percent.
 
              
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			USDA is providing a 90-day period for the public to review and 
			comment on program improvements. To review program details, visit 
			www.regulations.gov, reference RIN 0560-AI34 and follow the 
			instructions to submit comments. 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.
 Logan County FSA Office 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
 Chelsie Peddicord
 
 Farm Loan Manager:
 Tony Schmillen
 
 County Operations Trainee:
 Miranda Belcher
 
 Next COC Meeting :
 January 25th at 9:00am
 Persons with disabilities who 
			require accommodations to attend or participate in this meeting 
			should contact John Peters at 217-735-5508 extension 2 or Federal 
			Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339. 
			
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