What's Up at the FSA Office?

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
March 22: New CRP Seeding Meeting, 1 p.m. at Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank, Waukon.
May 15-August 2: Nesting season on CRP ground. Please contact the county office before you do anything.
May 31: Last day to receive a commodity loan for corn, soybeans, etc.
    
New CRP - Seeding being established this spring
The Allamakee County FSA Office is holding a meeting Tuesday, March 22 at 1 p.m. at Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank in Waukon for new CRP contracts being established this spring. The Allamakee FSA Agency (FSA) will go over the cost share forms and Mid Contract Management (MCM) requirements. It may help, if you have questions, to bring along your 848 form sent to you in the mail. The Iowa DNR/NRCS will be on hand to go over specifics on getting a successful prairie planting.
Please call the office at 563-568-2148 if you will attend March 22. The county office wants to make sure they have enough packets available for everyone.

NEW: General Eligibility Requirements for New
FSFL Commodities

The Secretary of Agriculture has recently determined there is a need for on-farm storage, drying and handling equipment for additional commodities. Therefore, using authority provided in the 2008 Act, the following new storable commodities are added as eligible for FSFL loans: aquaculture; floriculture; hops; maple sap; meat and poultry; milk (bulk tanks); rye; and butter, eggs, cheese and yogurt.

Approval Requirements
FSFL approval requirements for new eligible commodities are the same as for all other FSFLs. Applicants requesting FSFLs are required to submit the following with the loan application:
• $100 loan application fee per applicant or borrower
• balance sheet prepared within the last 90 calendar days
• income and expense projections for the borrower’s farm operation
• cost estimates and building plans
• proof of crop insurance, NAP coverage, MPP-Dairy participation, or LGM  participation
• exact location and size of the structure for the environmental evaluation
• planting and crop history records if not already available in the County Office.
If you have any questions in regards to these new commodity loans contact the Allamakee County FSA Office at 563-568-2148.

Guaranteed Loan Program
FSA guaranteed loans allow lenders to provide additional financing opportunities to agricultural producers. Farmers and ranchers apply for a guaranteed loan through a lender, and the lender arranges for the guarantee. Guaranteed loans can be used for both farm ownership and operating loans.
Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years and Farm Ownship loans are not to exceed 40 years.
Anyone with questions can give Vicky Hinsenbrock, Ag Loan Manager, a call at 563-382-8777. She is in the Allamakee County FSA Office in Waukon each Wednesday from 10 am.-12 Noon.