Residents pursue farming options

Even when the snow covers the ground, The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers assistance and has a number of loan programs for operation or purchase/improvement to farmers/applicants. The loans allow persons interested in the field to begin or continue in agriculture production.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture regularly processes disaster relief payments for eligible farmers and ranchers who suffered livestock, livestock feed and crop losses that occurred before Dec. 31, 2007. As of the Dec. 26, 2007 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Bush, (known as “The 2008 Act”) payments to eligible farmers and ranchers under the Crop Disaster Program (CDP), Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) are extended throughout the 2007 crop year. As many farmers are coming to see, the 2008 Act affects other FSA programs.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications and making payments for quantity losses for years 2005, 2006 and 2007 crop years under CDP. FSA is currently issuing LCP and LIP payments for losses up to Feb. 28, 2007, and will soon issue payments for losses incurred during the remainder of 2007. FSA will conduct sign-up and begin making payments for quality losses under CDP this spring. More information about CDP, LCP and LIP is available online at: disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
The Dairy Disaster Assistance Payment (DDAP-III) Program, which provides benefits to eligible dairy producers for production losses suffered as a result of natural disasters since Jan. 1, 2005, was also extended by the 2008 Act to cover any 2007 disaster that occurred before Dec. 31, 2007. DDAP-III sign-up resumed Feb. 4, 2008.
The 2008 Act provides $3.3 billion in direct and guaranteed loan funds for FSA’s Farm Loan Programs, extends FSA’s authority to administer marketing loan benefits for wool and mohair through March 15, 2008 and also allows the Milk Price Support Program to continue operating at current price support levels through March 15, 2008.
FSA loans are available for persons who desire to improve their farms or ranches. While all qualified producers are eligible to apply for these loan programs, the FSA has targeted funding for Socially Disadvantaged Applicants – An applicant group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as members of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. For purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. For detailed information on loan eligibility or the different loan programs available, contact your local FSA office to setup an appointment with a Loan Approval Official. FSA loans are only available to applicants who meet all the eligibility requirements and are unable to obtain the needed credit elsewhere.
Area farmers are highly sought after for advice during the growing season. They can become members of the FSA County Committee (COC) as an advisor. Valued voices for under-represented groups and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, county committee members and their county executive directors, actively reach out to producer groups who are under-represented on county committees.
COC advisor nominees must be actively participating in farming or ranching in the county or area, be willing and able to serve as an advisor, if appointed and indicate in writing their willingness and ability to serve.
Advisors attend each COC meeting, including executive sessions and participate in all deliberations. Advisors must be able to perform special duties at COC committee’s request.
In their capacity, advisors do not have authority to sign documents.
The Union County Committee will review advisor submissions received by February 8, 2008 and recommend a minority advisor to the Ohio FSA State Committee. The Ohio FSA State Committee will appoint the minority advisor, whose term will begin March 1, 2008. County Committee advisors serve for a 12-month period, not to exceed nine consecutive years.
Interested individuals should mail their letters to the Union County Farm Service Agency, 18000 State Route 4 – Suite A, Marysville, Ohio, 43040-8390. If you have any questions regarding the advisor position, please contact Stacy Ruh, County FSA Executive Director at (937) 642-6741 ext. 2, or by email at stacy.ruh@oh.usda.gov.
To learn about the Union County Farm Service Agency, 18000 St. Rt. 4, Suite A, in Marysville, OH, go to the website, www.fsa.usda.gov.

Edited by UCP staff.