Ask FSA Andy about marketing assistance, facility loan programs

Hello again,

I sat down to write this and I can’t figure out if its spring or fall — 59 degrees makes you wonder if it is December.

My farm has a lot going on in the summer because it seems we bale hay about every week, then when the fall comes we jump onto the soybean harvest.

Shortly thereafter we drill wheat and cover crops. Next comes the shelling of our corn crop.

The harvest season is my very favorite. The farm comes alive with extra people trucking grain, bringing fuel, running the combine, etc.

It is 4-5 weeks of fixing extra food and running for parts. These are the weeks that make farming fun for me.

It’s during these times of fury that as farmers you need to stop and take a look at not only the FSA marketing assistance loan program but also the facility loan program for next year.

The marketing assistance loan program allows you to borrow money using your corn or beans as collateral.

These are nine-month marketing tools that can be used to assist in cash flow on the farm and hopefully allow you to market your grain more efficiently.

The facility loan program is there to help finance a grain bin/dryer or other eligible storages.

If you are considering a commodity or facility loan I would encourage you to contact your local Farm Service Agency County Executive Director and sit down and visit about it.

Now that the crop is in the bin and the extra people are no longer there for supper, it seems really quiet at our house.

All I can do is recall the funny stories of the harvest, like the auger that I moved and slightly bent the crank on. And the wheel that came off the empty wagon and passed me on the state Route.

I am thankful we are finished with harvest and can consider the FSA programs that may make our farm life easier.

Until next time,

FSA Andy