Hello Again!
On Nov. 11 of 1918 at the 11th hour, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War.
In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. An Act approved May 13, 1938 made Nov. 11 a legal federal holiday – known as “Armistice Day.”
In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, on June 1st 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars and Armistice was replaced with Veterans. The Uniform Holiday Bill signed on June 28, 1968 moved the celebrations of four national holidays to Monday. The thought was giving the workforce a 3-day weekend would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities. The four national holidays were Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day.
With this change Veterans Day was observed on Oct. 25, 1971. It was noted that the historic and patriotic significance of celebrating Veterans Day on Nov. 11 was lost.
Seeing the frustration felt by a great number of citizens with the changing of Veterans Day to October, on Sept. 20, 1975 President Gerald Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11 we will be observing the 96th Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for a common good. As American citizens, we must remember that it is because of the unselfish service of our military personnel that we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
In observance of Veterans Day, we would like to thank each and every individual, past and present, who has served in our armed forces to protect our freedoms.
On a drive through the countryside, you will now find fields of soybean residue, corn stubble and the green fluffy wheat crop covering the ground. Producers who have planted fall seeded grains such as wheat, rye or barley need to report their crop acreages to their local FSA office by Dec. 15.
Call today for an appointment. In preparation of the 2016 crop year, producers who are interested in the 2016 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), may need to apply for coverage by Nov. 20, depending on the commodity they want to insure. For 2016 NAP coverage on apples, asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, chestnuts, forage for hay and pasture, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, honey, maple sap and hops producers must purchase NAP coverage by Nov. 20.
NOTE: Hops is a perennial crop and the application deadline moved from spring to fall for coverage. The 2014 Farm Bill provides greater coverage for losses when natural disasters affect specialty crops. Previously, the program offered coverage at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production.
Producers can now choose higher levels of coverage, up to 65 percent of their expected production at 100 percent of the average market price. The expanded protection is especially helpful to beginning and socially disadvantaged producers, as well as farmers with limited resources, who will receive fee waivers and premium reductions for expanded coverage.
The service fee for basic NAP coverage is the lesser of $250 per crop or $750 per producer per administrative county, not to exceed a total of $1,875 for a producer with farming interest in multiple counties. Producers interested in buy-up coverage must pay a premium, in addition to the service fee. The maximum premium will be $6,564.
Producers meeting the definition of a socially disadvantaged farmer, beginning farmer or limited resource farmer will have service fees waived. Producers meeting this definition that choose to purchase buy-up coverage will also have service fees waived and the premium will be capped at $3,282.
To help producers learn more about the NAP program and how it can help them, USDA, offers an online Web tool at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap. The web tool allows producers to determine whether their crops are eligible for coverage and gives producers an opportunity to explore a variety of options and levels to determine the best protection level for their operation.
Call your local FSA office for more information, to get questions answered or to enroll in the 2016 NAP program.
That’s all for now,
FSA Andy
