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NRCS and FSA have joint responsibility to
administer program payment eligibility and payment limitation
requirements. To facilitate meeting these requirements, FSA is
contacting producers or landowners who are currently
participating in NRCS programs and do not have a CCC-902 form on
file.
Historically, to participate, legal entities could file either
the CCC-901 (Member Information form) or the CCC-902, while
individuals were not specifically required to file the CCC-902
with FSA. Now, to ensure FSA and NRCS are using consistent
information about a producer or landowner’s operation, all
participants, including legal entities and individuals, must
file the CCC-902 and receive a determination of eligibility to
maintain eligibility for certain NRCS conservation programs.
These changes do not affect applicants or participants that
already have a Form CCC-902 and received a determination of
eligibility from FSA.
Participants with an existing contract or agreement that do not
have a CCC-902 on file with FSA will be mailed a letter in the
coming weeks, providing information on how to file the form. The
letter provides options for electronic or in-person submission
and requests that the form be completed within 30 days of
receipt of the letter.
Fiscal year 2021 is considered a transition year to ensure all
NRCS program participants can meet this updated filing
requirement. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, eligibility to
continue to receive payments may be affected if the required
form is not on file.
Additional information is available in NRCS National Bulletin
300-21-7 and FSA Notice PL-293.
NRCS and FSA staff are available at USDA Service Centers
nationwide to provide applicants and participants with
information and assistance to meet this filing requirement.
Virtual Conservation Sessions A Success
The Conservation Cropping Seminars for 2021 were held virtually
and although the planning and coordination were very different,
it appears the online version was a success. It was a different
process and it required some new partners and new tools to make
it all happen, but we reached more people—and different
people—because of the new format.
Three two-hour events were held using a digital online platform
on January 20th, January 28th, and February 4th. The events were
free for participants and offered farmers and students a variety
of technical discussions and speakers promoting conservation
solutions, soil health improvements, and experience/research on
the use of cover crops.
Getting quality speakers and presenters to be part of the three
events was actually easier because it required less of their
time and no travel whatsoever.
The Planning Committee is still reviewing registrations and
evaluations, but Rennecker feels confident the 2021 events
easily had two or three times the number of participants they’ve
typically reached over the last 7 years. One thing was for sure
that when we held in-person events, we did NOT have participants
from Ethiopia or New York State. So it’s safe to say we’ve
broadened our reach beyond just Illinois farmers.
The Planning Committee sends thanks and appreciation to all the
state and federal agencies, organizations, farmers, speakers,
and especially University of Illinois Extension, who hosted all
online events and videotaped all sessions online for future
viewing.
If you missed one—or all of the 2021 Conservation Cropping
Seminar events--please take advantage of the postings and enjoy
the information online:
https://www.youtube.com/
playlist?list=PLIq7XlTOe3ali-tWzx08L1C_dMW3eMeAM . See if
these speakers and discussions help you make the decision to
incorporate new conservation solutions on your farm.
To learn more about each session and all sponsors involved or to
be part of the 2022 event, visit www.ccswcd.org or call your
local USDA NRCS or SWCD office. Start the conservation
conversation today!
Questions?
Please contact your local County Service Center.
[USDA Farm Service Agency]
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