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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. |
