What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup
September 17: Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP)

Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP)
PLIP provides financial assistance for losses of poultry and livestock depopulated between March 1, 2020 and December 26, 2020 due to insufficient processing access during the COVID pandemic. Animals sold at a reduced price are not eligible. Eligible livestock includes swine, chickens, and turkeys. Sign-up runs through September 17. Contract growers, live poultry dealers, and packers are ineligible for this program. You’ll need to provide documentation to substantiate the numbers you report on your application. This can include vet records, feeding records, rendering receipts, etc.

Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program (PATHH)
PATHH provides up to $200 million to provide relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have experienced losses due to COVID-19 as part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Loggers and truckers can apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) July 22 through October 15, 2021. To be eligible for payments, individuals or legal entities must be a timber harvesting or timber hauling business where 50% or more of its gross revenue is derived from one or more of the following:

• Cutting timber.
• Transporting timber.
• Processing of wood on-site on the forest land (chipping, grinding, converting to biochar, cutting to smaller lengths, etc.).

Payments will be based on the applicant’s gross revenue received from January 1, 2019, through December 1, 2019, minus gross revenue received from January 1, 2020, through December 1, 2020, multiplied by 80%. FSA will issue an initial payment equal to the lesser of the calculated payment amount or $2,000 as applications are approved. A second payment will be made after the sign-up period has ended based upon remaining PATHH funds. The maximum amount that a person or legal entity may receive directly is $125,000.
 
Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)

For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 per scope.  Scopes include crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling, and state organic program fees. The 2021 program year covers expenses paid between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021.  

Environmental Review Required Before Project Implementation
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal agencies to consider all potential environmental impacts for federally funded projects before the project is approved. 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, the request will be denied.

Although there are exceptions regarding the Stafford Act and emergencies, it’s important to wait until you receive written approval of your project proposal before starting any actions. Applications cannot be approved until FSA has copies of all permits and plans. 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.

Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Compliance
Landowners and operators are reminded that to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Compliance provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to insure compliance. Failure to obtain advance approval for any of these situations can result in the loss of eligibility and all  Federal payments.