Hello Friends,
Picking what day to recognize this week, I had too many options. So in keeping with our farm theme, we have three days to recognize.
Thursday, Jan. 19 is National Popcorn Day. Americans consume more than 13 billion quarts of popcorn annually. There are so many flavors to choose from. Do you like caramel corn or cheese popcorn? How about kettle cooked? Who can’t go to a movie without getting some movie theatre buttery popcorn? Thank you to the popcorn producers!
National Cheese Lover’s Day is Friday, Jan. 20. This day we will be thanking all of the dairy producers for their love to milk cows so we can have cheese. There are over 1,400 varieties of cheese — what is your favorite variety, if you had to choose just one? Thank you to the dairy producers!
Our last day to recognize will be National Pie Day observed on Monday, Jan. 23. The American Pie Celebration began in 1986 and was created by the American Pie Council. Baking a pie includes flour, butter, sugar, fruit or dairy products. As you can see this covers several types of farmers, from grain farmers to dairy farmers to fruit growers.
Thank you to all producers for if it were not for them we would not have food to eat.
• • •
All of the above-mentioned producers rely on the land to raise their commodity. Here at the FSA office we have some yearly reminders that all producers should be aware of.
Farming operation changes
Producers who have bought or sold land, or added or dropped rented land from their operation must report those changes to the FSA office as soon as possible. A copy of the deed or recorded land contract for purchased property is needed to maintain accurate records with FSA. A copy of your lease for newly rented land must also be provided.
Failure to do so can lead to possible program ineligibility and penalties. Making record changes now will save time in the spring.
Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation Compliance. Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions are required.
Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to ensure compliance. Failure to obtain advance approval for any of these situations can result in the loss of eligibility and all federal payments.
Crop acreage reporting
Filing an accurate acreage report at your local FSA office can prevent the loss of benefits for a variety of programs. Failed acreage is acreage that was planted with the intent to harvest, but because of disaster related conditions, the crop failed before it could be brought to harvest. This acreage must be reported to your local FSA office prior to destruction.
Prevented planting must be reported no later than 15 days after the final planting date.
Annual acreage reports are required for most Farm Service Agency programs. Annual crop report deadlines vary based on region, crop, permanent vs. annual crop type, NAP or non-NAP crop and fall or winter seeding.
Participants in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) must certify to contract compliance before any annual rental payments will be made. Consult your local FSA office for deadlines in your area.
Prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The FSA supports the Risk Management Agency in the prevention of fraud, waste and abuse of the Federal Crop Insurance Program. FSA has been, and will continue to, assist RMA and insurance providers by monitoring crop conditions throughout the growing season.
FSA will continue to refer all suspected cases of fraud, waste and abuse directly to RMA. Producers can report suspected cases to the county office staff, the RMA office, or the Office of the Inspector General.
As with any of our programs, if you have any questions or concerns, contact your local Farm Service Agency for more information.
All good things must come to an end, and next week will mark the end of our yearly reminders. I know you are as excited as I am. Something we must do but not very interesting to write about.
Until next week!
FSA Andy
