This is a full-time permanent position with responsibilities for
carrying out general office activities and technical functions
pertaining to FSA administered programs. Applicants should be
motivated and possess excellent human relations skills as well
as strong clerical and computer skills. A general knowledge of
agricultural practices is also important. Salary range is
$30,344 - $54,670.
If you are interested, or know someone who is, the vacancy is
available by accessing the USAJobs.gov website or by clicking
here
A copy of the vacancy announcement is also available at: Logan
County Farm Service Agency USDA Service Center 1650 5th St
Lincoln, IL 62656 Phone: 217/217-735-5508 x 2 Fax: 855/693-7125
Applications must be submitted through USAJobs.gov by the
closing date of the announcement, which is, Monday, December 30,
2019.
We recognize and appreciate the benefits of diversity in the
workplace. People who share this belief and reflect a diverse
background are encouraged to apply.
The USDA/FSA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer, and
Lender.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2019/Dec/27/images/ads/current/stclaras_lda_HFH_2019.png)
USDA Announces Opening Signup for Conservation Reserve
Program on December 9, 2019
USDA is opening 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.
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.
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.
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![](../images/ads/current/LLM_lda_RURALREVIEW_2020.png)
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.
Higher Limits Now Available on USDA Farm Loans
Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in
USDA’s farm loans, which help agricultural producers purchase
farms or cover operating expenses. The 2018 Farm Bill increased
the amount that producers can borrow through direct and
guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency
(FSA) and made changes to other loans, such as microloans and
emergency loans.
Key changes include:
The Direct Operating Loan limit increased from $300,000 to
$400,000, and the Guaranteed Operating Loan limit increased from
$ 1.429 million to $1.75 million. Operating loans help producers
pay for normal operating expenses, including machinery and
equipment, seed, livestock feed, and more.
The Direct Farm Ownership Loan limit increased from $300,000 to
$600,000, and the Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loan limit increased
from $1.429 million to $1.75 million. Farm ownership loans help
producers become owner-operators of family farms as well as
improve and expand current operations.
Producers can now receive both a $50,000 Farm Ownership
Microloan and a $50,000 Operating Microloan. Previously,
microloans were limited to a combined $50,000. Microloans
provide flexible access to credit for small, beginning, niche,
and non-traditional farm operations.
Producers who previously received debt forgiveness as part of an
approved FSA restructuring plan are now eligible to apply for
emergency loans. Previously, these producers were ineligible.
Beginning and socially disadvantaged producers can now receive
up to a 95 percent guarantee against the loss of principal and
interest on a loan, up from 90 percent.
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
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2019/Dec/27/images/ads/current/guzzardos_lda_LUAL_2017.png)
Acting County Executive Director:
James Woodley
Farm Loan Manager:
Tony Schmillen
Program Technicians:
Ann Curry
Tammy Edwards
Chelsie Peddicord
Emily Conover
Danielle Young
County Committee:
Dennis Ramlow - Chairman
Tim Southerlan - Vice Chairman
Kenton Stoll - Member
Kathy Wilham - Advisor
Next County Committee Meeting: January 7, 2019 @ 1:00 PM
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.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of
discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer
Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642
(Relay voice users). |