What's Up at the FSA Office?
by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148
Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• November 12: Office closed in recognition of Veteran’s Day
Fall Certification
Unlike previous years, producers are no longer required to report their fall forage acres by December 15 to FSA. These crops can be reported in the spring, by July 15, along with your spring-planted crops. If you do insure any fall forage, make sure you still report this to your crop insurance agent.
County Committee Election
Producers in Iowa, Lansing, Center, LaFayette, Paint Creek, and Taylor Townships will receive county committee voting ballots this week. The last day to return completed ballots to the FSA office is December 3. If you’re an eligible producer in one of these townships, please be on the lookout for your ballot. Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.
Unauthorized Disposition of Grain
If sealed grain (grain under loan) has been disposed of through feeding, selling or any other form of disposal without prior written authorization from the county office staff, it is considered unauthorized disposition. The financial penalties for unauthorized dispositions are severe and a producer’s name will be placed on a loan violation list for a two-year period. Always call before you haul any grain under loan.
Margin Protection Program (Dairy)
The September 2018 MPP margin is $8.25756/cwt. As a result, there will be no MPP payment for September.
Beginning Farmer Loans
FSA assists beginning farmers to finance agricultural enterprises. Under these designated farm loan programs, FSA can provide financing to eligible applicants through either direct or guaranteed loans. FSA defines a beginning farmer as a person who:
• Has operated a farm for not more than 10 years
• Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm
• Agrees to participate in a loan assessment, borrower training and financial management program sponsored by FSA
• Does not own a farm in excess of 30 percent of the county’s average size farm.
Additional program information, loan applications, and other materials are available at your local USDA Service Center. You may also visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
