---

The USDA Farm Service Agency offices are moving towards a paperless operation. Producers are asked to enroll in the new GovDelivery system which will provide notices, newsletters and electronic reminders instead of a hard copy through the mail. FSA, like many other organizations, is trying to work smarter and be more efficient. Moving to electronic notifications via email will help conserve resources and save taxpayer dollars. County Committee ballots will continue to be mailed to all eligible producers. Farmers can subscribe to receive free e-mail updates by going to http://www.fsa.usda.gov/subscribe.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance program (NAP) coverage deadlines
Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable (not covered by traditional crop insurance) crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occurs due to natural disasters. To be eligible for NAP coverage, you must apply for coverage at the FSA office, pay the $250 per crop (not to exceed $750 per producer per county or $1,875 per multi-county producer), sign a CCC-471 application and report your acres and production. Sales closing dates in MN are:
Sept. 1: Floriculture, aquaculture, ginseng, turf grass sod, mushrooms, Christmas trees and annual fall seeded crops
Sept. 30: Perennial forage crops including grass and legume seed, wild rice, asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries
Nov. 20: Perennial fruits/vegetables/herbs such as apples, blueberries, cane berries (raspberries), cranberries, grapes, sage, and plums
Dec. 1: Honey
Feb. 1: Maple sap
Mar. 15: Pasture and spring seeded annual crops and annual vegetables
May 1: Ornamental nursery plants

Know what's below. Call before you dig.
It took years to make it a farm. It takes one call to keep it safe. Call 8-1-1 anywhere in the nation to reach your local one call center to have them send utility representatives out to mark their utilities. Examples of when to call 8-1-1 include drain tile projects, deep chiseling, building waterways, installing irrigation and water wells, building terraces or holding ponds and any excavation project. Stay safe by calling 8-1-1 before digging.

Upcoming deadlines for 2012
• Feb. 1, 2013 - Deadline to purchase NAP coverage on maple sap.
• March 25, 2013 - Hispanic and Women Farmer and Rancher Claims Period ends
• March 31, 2013 - Final date for Marketing Assistance Loan on small grain.
• June 7, 2013 - SURE applications due for 2011 crop loses
More information about FSA programs and where to find your local USDA Service Center can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov.
Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
[[In-content Ad]]

---