FSA will be conducting compliance spot-checks

Hello again!

The “dog days” of summer have arrived. The weather has definitely been on the extremely hot side , but I guess we can take solace in the fact that at least there isn’t 2 foot of snow on the ground and below freezing. That will come soon enough.

We have been fortunate to still be getting rain in our area and crops don’t appear too stressed. Just a heads up to let you know that FSA will be conducting compliance spot-checks during the 2010 crop year.

Instead of locally selecting farms, contracts, deficiency loans, etc. for spot-check and review, a nationwide selection of producers is used to achieve a statistical sampling of participating producers.

Guidelines

Spot-check selections are to be conducted based on a producer’s participation in Conservation Reserve Program, Direct and Counter-cyclical Program, Loan Deficiency Program, etc.

FSA may review a producer’s operations in multiple states and counties, depending on the scope of the producer’s operations. FSA will review both the accuracy of the representations made by the selected producers in connection with participation in FSA programs as well as the producer’s compliance with applicable program requirements.

The reviews may need to be conducted at various times throughout the year depending on the FSA programs in which the producer is participating.

If an entity is selected from the national database that is no longer farming or participating in the 2010 crop year, a notation shall be made on the spot-check list.

I had a producer in this morning who is in the process of putting up a bin with the help of an FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan. He told me how much he has been enjoying the heat and working with those nice shiny metal bin sheets. I think he was kidding.

Benefits

Just a reminder that there are considerable benefits to having storage capabilities. Storage capacity allows a producer to market grain on his own terms and when he wants to. Forward contracting, avoiding marketing grain when elevators are hot on grain problems and the capability of storing grain and receiving an FSA commodity loan on the grain are just a few options/benefits to having grain storing capabilities.

FSA offers low interest and great payback terms on loans for putting up grain, hay and cold storage facilities. Stop by your local FSA office and check out the possibilities.

Just a reminder that COC nominations are still being taken for local administrative area county committee members. Don’t forget to get those turned in so that your LAA has good representation on the county committee.

That’s all for now,

FSA Andy