What's up at the FSA Office?

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• February 19: Office closed in observance of George Washington’s Birthday

February 2018 CCC and FSFL Interest Rates
New rates were issued for the month of February and are as follows:
• 2.125% for 3 years
• 2.250% for 5 years
• 2.375% for 7 years
• 2.375% for 10 years
• 2.500% for 12 years
• 2.625% for 15 years

Marketing Assistance Loans
The February commodity interest rate is 2.750%. The 2017 marketing assistance loan rates are $1.87 for corn, and $4.99 for beans. If you do take out a marketing assistance loan with us, we will need a copy of your driver’s license, as well as your spouse’s. 

Maintaining the Quality of Farm-Stored Loan Grain
Bins are ideally designed to hold a level volume of grain. When bins are overfilled and grain is heaped up, airflow is hindered and the chance of spoilage increases.
Producers who take out marketing assistance loans and use the farm-stored grain as collateral should remember that they are responsible for maintaining the quality of the grain through the term of the loan.

Unauthorized Disposition of Grain
If loan grain has been disposed of through feeding, selling or any other form of disposal without prior written authorization from the county office staff, it is considered unauthorized disposition. The financial penalties for unauthorized dispositions are severe and a producer’s name will be placed on a loan violation list for a two-year period. Always call before you haul any grain under loan.

Environmental Review Required Before Project Implementation
For all Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs, an environmental review must be completed before actions are approved, such as site preparation or ground disturbance. These programs include, but are not limited to, the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program and farm loans. If project implementation begins before FSA has completed an environmental review, this will result in a denial of the request. There are exceptions regarding the Stafford Act and emergencies. It is important to wait until you receive written approval of your project proposal before starting any actions, including, but not limited to, vegetation clearing, site preparation or ground disturbance.

Remember to contact your local FSA office early in your planning process to determine what level of environmental review is required for your program application so that it can be completed timely.

Applications cannot be approved contingent upon the completion of an environmental review. FSA must have copies of all permits and plans before an application can be approved.

USDA Looking to Lease Office Space
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency in Waukon, Iowa, is interested in leasing approximately 5315 rentable square feet of office and related space together with approximately 40 onsite, paved parking spaces.  The rentable space shall yield a minimum of 4621 to a maximum of 4855 contiguous ANSI/BOMA office area square feet of first class, high quality office space. The space must be ready for occupancy within nine months after the lease award.

The area to be considered must be within an area bound on the north by Mt. Olivet Road and A44; on the east by 4 Corners Road; on the south by Hwy 9, Hwy 76, and Dundee Road; and on the west by Bluebird Road north to Mount Olivet Road.

Expressions of Interest should include the following:

1. Building Name and Address, and location of space within the building
2. Rentable Square Feet offered and full-service rental rate per square foot
3. ANSI/BOMA Usable Square Feet and Common Area Factor
4. Amount of on-site paved parking available
5. Contact information for Owner or Authorized Agent

Written notice of space availability must be received by February 16, 2018, and sent to:

 Audrey Rivas
 Realty Specialist
10500 Buena Vista Court
Des Moines, Iowa 50322
Phone: (515) 331-8426
Email: Audrey.rivas@ia.usda.gov