Hello Again!
This morning brought a big change in the weather as the wind is blowing and the snow is swirling. At least the mud is now frozen again but the realization that winter still holds its grip doesn’t help the spring fever from the recent warm up.
But spring is just around the corner as February slips into the history books for another year. As we begin to think spring we also begin to think about spring planting. For those producers of specialty crops grown for food, the deadline to purchase Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage is just around the corner.
The last day for producers to apply for NAP coverage using form CCC-471, Application for Coverage and pay the service fee at the FSA county office is March 16.
The application must be filed by March 16 for spring planted crops which include forage sorghum, oats, potatoes, soybeans, sunflowers and all spring planted specialty crops grown for food.
The service fee is $250 per crop, per county or $750 per producer, per county. The fee cannot exceed a total of $1,875 per producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Limited resource producers may request a waiver of the service fee.
To qualify, a producer must be a landowner, tenant or sharecropper who shares in the risk of producing the eligible crop.
If you are still considering a loan or LDP on stored 2008 wheat, oats, barley or honey you have until March 31 to apply. While this may seem to be a long way off, it will be here before you know it. Where did January and February go?
As always you should contact your local FSA office for program details.
That’s all for now,
FSA Andy
