What's up at the FSA Office?
by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148
Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• July 15: Report All Spring-Seeded Crops
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up
Sonny Perdue Sworn in as Secretary of Agriculture
Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by fellow Georgian and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a brief ceremony on April 25 at the Supreme Court building.
Perdue grew up on a dairy and diversified row crop farm in Bonaire, Georgia. Being uniquely qualified as a former farmer, agribusinessman, veterinarian, state legislator and governor of Georgia, he has experienced the agriculture industry from every possible perspective throughout his life.
As secretary, Perdue says he will champion the concerns of farmers, ranchers, foresters and producers, and will work tirelessly to solve the issues facing our farm families.
Perdue’s policies as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will be guided by four principles which will inform his decisions. First, he will maximize the ability of the men and women of America’s agriculture and agribusiness sector to create jobs, to produce and sell the foods and fiber that feed and clothe the world, and to reap the earned reward of their labor. Second, he will prioritize customer service every day for American taxpayers and consumers. Third, as Americans expect a safe and secure food supply, USDA will continue to serve in the critical role of ensuring the food we put on the table to feed our families meets the strict safety standards we’ve established. And fourth, Perdue will always remember that America’s agricultural bounty comes directly from the land.
County Office Committees
County committees play a vital role in the administration of federal farm programs. They make decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs, emergency/disaster programs, employing County Executive Directors and other significant agricultural issues with the USDA.
Members come from one of three pre-determined local administrative areas (LAAs). These areas are determined by many factors but include population, fair representation, and types of farming. Elections are held each year on a rotational basis. This year the election will occur in LAA2 which includes Ludlow, Jefferson, Post, Franklin, Linton, and Fairview townships. To be eligible to serve you must participate or cooperate in a FSA program, be eligible to vote, and live in the LAA where you are nominated.
The nomination period will start June 15 and producers can nominate themselves or others. If you would like to run, or are nominated and agree to run, you will need to complete form FSA-669A, which you can pick up at our office or online at fsa.usda.gov/elections. All nominations must be postmarked or received in our office by August 1.
Election ballots are then mailed to eligible voters in the electing LAA beginning November 6 and are due back no later than December 4. All newly elected members take office January 1, and serve for three years, with a maximum of three terms. So if you reside in LAA-2, and would like to run, stop in after June 15 to pick up the nomination form and return it to us by August 1.
FSFL/MAL Requirements for Producers
FSA requires the signature match the name shown on your driver’s license for any UCC-1 filed on July 1, 2013 or later. If the name on the UCC-1 does not match your driver’s license, we have until June 30, 2018 to modify the UCC-1. We can make this modification next time you are in the office.
Additionally, a copy of the driver’s license for any producer, and their spouse, who will have a FSFL or MAL outstanding as of July 1, 2018 is needed for our files. Please bring these with you next time you are in. If the loan will be paid off by July 1, 2018 we will not need a copy for our files. Visit with a staff member next time you are in the office about these requirements.
