What's Up at the FSA Office?
by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
December 6: Market Facilitation Program
Managed Haying Requests
For those who have stopped in to request managed haying on your CRP ground, make sure the bales are off as soon as possible to avoid killing of the seeding underneath, but no later than September 30. Any seeding destroyed due to the bales needs to be reseeded.
September Facility Loan Interest Rates
The interest rates for September are as follows:
• 1.625% for 3 years
• 1.625% for 5 years
• 1.750% for 7 years
• 1.875% for 10 years
• 1.875% for 12 years
• 2.000% for 15 years
Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC)
Many farms in Allamakee County have highly erodible land. These fields must be following conservation plans that are established by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Some plans were developed in the 1980’s. If you are not following your soil saving plan, you may be in violation of the HELC provisions. Violations can result in significant fines and prevent you from receiving all government payments. We encourage you to be cautious when developing your tillage plans. If you haven’t reviewed your conservation plan in a while, it time to do so. Stop at the USDA Service Center to review plans on all the land you operate.
USDA Farm Service Agency Offers Text Alerts to Allamakee County Producers
Allamakee County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that farmers and ranchers in Iowa now can receive notifications from their county office through text messages on their cell phone.
Whether producers are in the field, on a tractor or even on horseback, this service enables FSA customers and stakeholders to receive notifications while on the go. Producers will receive text messages regarding important program deadlines, reporting requirements, outreach events and updates.
Producers can text IAAllamakee to FSANOW (372-669) to subscribe to text message alerts from Allamakee County. Standard text messaging rates apply. Contact your wireless carrier for details associated with your particular data plan. Participants may unsubscribe at any time.
Contact your local FSA office at (563) 568-2148 if you have questions regarding FSA’s email news service or the new text message option.
Beginning Farmer Loans
FSA assists beginning farmers to finance agricultural enterprises. Under these designated farm loan programs, FSA can provide financing to eligible applicants through either direct or guaranteed loans. FSA defines a beginning farmer as a person who:
• Has operated a farm for not more than 10 years
• Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm
• Agrees to participate in a loan assessment, borrower training and financial management program sponsored by FSA
• Does not own a farm in excess of 30 percent of the county’s average size farm.
Additional program information, loan applications, and other materials are available at your local USDA Service Center. You may also visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
