Hello again, friends!
Hang onto your hats! Sign-up for the 2009 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program is still under construction.
Forms have not been completed for the 2009 crop year and regulations have not been published. An announcement will be made and you will be notified when we are ready to proceed.
Something to consider while you’re anxiously awaiting Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program sign-up is the changes on farms with crop bases of 10 acres or less. Finally a situation where change is good!
For 2008 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program crop year, these farms are now eligible to receive payment under Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program. The deadline is Nov. 26 to enroll your farm if you have not already done so. For 2009 through 2012 crop years, these farms are not eligible to receive payment. However, farm combinations are now permitted.
Policy has been revised to enable you to request a reconstitution on farms with crop bases of 10 acres or less. If you intend to combine your farms to meet the eligibility requirement, contact your local Farm Service Agency immediately.
Criteria
Criteria for farm combinations:
• Farms with same owners same operator — no action is required by the operator. However, please check with your local office to ensure the combination is complete prior to enrollment into Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program.
• Farms with different owners same operator — you must request the combination in writing and all owners must agree in writing.
Exception
The exception is when combining farms with different owners with the same operator. All owners who had previously agreed to the combination of land under separate ownership are not required to agree again in writing. Only owners contributing new land to the combination must agree in writing.
The reconstitution process contains several steps for the staff of the Farm Service Agency to complete.
If you are interested in combining any of your farms for the 2009 crop year, you will need to complete form FSA-155, obtain the proper signatures and return to your local service agency. This will enable you to be ahead of the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program process and prepare for your 2009 farm plan.
Stay dry and have a wonderful week!
That’s all for now,
FSA Andy
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