AG BRIEFS: Annual report of acreage; County Committee nominations

FSA reminds producers to file annual report of acreage by June 30

The Iowa Farm Service Agency reminds producers to submit their annual acreage report to their local FSA county office by June 30 to meet FSA program eligibility requirements.

?Producers must file their reports accurately and timely for all crops and land uses, including prevented and failed acreage, to ensure they receive the maximum FSA program benefits possible,? said John R. Whitaker, state executive director for the Iowa FSA.

Accurate acreage reports are necessary to determine and maintain eligibility for the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program, Conservation Reserve Program, Price Support, and newer programs authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Programs include the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program, Average Crop Revenue Election Program, Livestock Forage Disaster Program, Tree Assistance Program, and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program.

?Producers should be prepared to have planting dates on all crops including forage crops and those that are grazed when reporting crops to our offices,? said Whitaker. ?With many of our new disaster crops, such as S.U.R.E., it has become crucial that producers report the correct year of seeding establishment for their different forage crops.?

Acreage reports are considered timely filed when completed by the applicable final crop reporting deadline of June 30. Prevented acreage must be reported within 15 calendar days after the final planting date. Failed acreage must be reported before the disposition of the crop. N.A.P. crops harvested prior to June 30 must report by the earlier of June 30 or 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing. Producers should contact their county FSA office if they are uncertain about reporting deadlines.

Late-filed provisions may be available to producers who are unable to meet the reporting deadline as required. Reports filed after the established deadline must meet certain requirements to be accepted and may be charged late fees. A minimum $46 fee per farm is assessed for late filed certifications.

Producers should visit their county FSA office to complete acreage reporting. For information contact the county FSA office.

FSA announces County Committee nominations begins June 15

USDA?s Farm Service Agency announces that the nomination period for this year?s County Committee election begins June 15.

John R Whitaker, state executive director for Iowa stated, ?County Committees operate under official regulations for federal farm programs. Committee members apply their judgment, experience and knowledge when making local decisions.?

Individuals who serve on local FSA County Committee make decisions regarding producer?s appeals; commodity price support loans and payments; conservation programs; employing county executive directors; incentive, indemnity, and disaster payments for commodities; as well as for other farm disaster assistance.

?The committee election process is designed to give all producers a better chance of having their opinions and ideas expressed in the community, throughout FSA and the nation. Therefore, it is vital that we have a diverse committee, not only in the physical make up of the committee, but making sure we have representative from all forms of agriculture,? added Whitaker.

USDA is committed to increasing the participation of all farmers on the FSA County Committees, with an emphasis on women and minority farmers. Beginning farmers are also highly encouraged to become involved.

Some of the requirements for becoming a candidate to serve on a County Committee include: Be of legal voting age; live in the LAA holding an election; participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA

Individuals may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Organizations representing minorities and women may nominate candidates.

All nominees must sign nomination form FSA-669A, which includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected. Form FSA-669A is available at USDA Service Centers and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. All nomination forms for the 2011 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1.

Voting will take place in the fall. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 4. The final day to return voted ballots to the local USDA Service Center is Dec. 5. Newly elected county committee members take office Jan. 1.

For more information contact the local county FSA office or visit FSA on-line at www.fsa.usda.gov.