USDA to Host 2018 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session

[February 21, 2019]    USDA is hosting a listening session for initial input on the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA is seeking public input on the changes to existing programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Risk Management Agency. Each agency will take into account stakeholder input when making discretionary decisions on program implementation.

The listening session will be held February 26, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in the Jefferson Auditorium in the South Building located at 14th Street and Independence Ave. S.W. in Washington, D.C.

The listening session is open to the public. Participants must register at farmers.gov/farmbill by February 22, 2019, to attend the listening session and are encouraged to provide written comments prior to the listening session. For those orally presenting comments at the listening session, written comments are encouraged to be submitted to regulations.gov by February 22, 2019. Additional written comments will be accepted through March 1, 2019. Comments received will be publicly available on www.regulations.gov.

For more information on the listening session visit farmers.gov/farmbill.

Payment Limitations by Program

The 2014 Farm Bill established a maximum dollar amount for each program that can be received annually, directly or indirectly, by each person or legal entity. Payment limitations vary by program for 2014 through 2018.

Below is an overview of payment limitations by program.

Commodity and Price Support Programs The annual limitation for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs) and Market Loan Gains (MLG) is $125,000 total.

Conservation Programs The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) annual rental payment and incentive payment is limited to $50,000. CRP contracts approved before Oct. 1, 2008, may exceed the limitation, subject to payment limitation rules in effect on the date of contract approval.

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) has an annual limit of $200,000 per disaster event. The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) has an annual limit of $500,000 per disaster event.

Disaster Assistance Programs – 2017 & Subsequent Years

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) have a $125,000 per person and legal entity single payment limitation that applies to the total amount of program year payments received.

Program payments under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Tree Assistance Program (TAP) no longer have payment limits.

Payment limitations also apply to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Contact your local NRCS office for more information.

[USDA Farm Service Agency]