WASHINGTON — The USDA’s Farm Service Agency administrator, Juan M. Garcia, announced recently that farm payments, which had been temporarily suspended due to sequestration, are scheduled to resume May 8.
This includes payments for the 2011 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program, the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program.
On March 4, FSA began a temporary suspension of FSA program payments in order to assess the impact of sequestration, and determine the least-disruptive process possible for carrying out required cuts.
The department will use the secretary’s limited authority to transfer funds to avoid reducing these program payments.
Deadlines
Producers should be advised program sign-up periods currently underway have the following enrollment deadlines: 2013 Average Crop Revenue Election Program — June 3; 2011 SURE — June 7; and the 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program — Aug. 2.
Producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible for appointments to enroll in these programs before the deadlines.
