Logan County FSA March Updates

[March 12, 2020]    Seven Work Days until 2019 ARC/PLC Election & Enrollment Ends - The 2019 ARC/PLC Signup Deadline is FAST approaching!

The staff at the Logan County FSA Office extends a huge THANK YOU to all who have shown their patience and cooperation during the 2019 ARC/PLC enrollment period as well as the General CRP enrollment period.

I want to personally thank my staff for their commitment and countless hours spent away from their homes and families nearly every night and weekend to meet this deadline.

The Deadline to enroll is March 16, 2020!

Farm Program Election Options:

1. Price Loss Coverage Program – PLC

2. Ag Risk Coverage Program – County – ARC-CO

3. Ag Risk Coverage Program – Individual – ARC-INDIVIDUAL

ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue falls below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price.

March 16th will be here before we know it! (Only 7 Work Days!!!) If no program election is made for the 2019 ARC/PLC program, the farm will default to the previous program elections and 2019 producers will not be eligible to receive payments, if they become applicable.

Please contact the office at [phone] as soon as possible to complete your 2019 Election and Enrollment.

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Continuous Signup for Conservation Reserve Program Going On Now

USDA opened signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on December 9, 2019. 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.

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.

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. 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.

Dates to Remember

March 16, 2020: Deadline for election/enrollment for ARC/PLC 2019 crop year

March 31,2020: Final date to request a 2019 Market Assistance Loan for Wheat.

May 31,2020: Final date to request 2019 Market Assistance Loan for Corn and Soybeans

June 30, 2020: Deadline for enrollment ACR/PLC 2020 crop year.

July 15, 2020: Deadline for certification of planted Crops

Sept 30,2020: Deadline to update 2020 PLC yields

Ongoing: CRP Continuous Signup

Ongoing: Update your Farm Records.

Logan County FSA Office
1650 5th St
Lincoln, IL 62656
Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: [phone]
Fax:[phone]

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: April 2, 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.