USDA'S FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) OFFERS FARM BILL WEBSITE AND ONLINE OVERVIEW OF FARM BILL PROGRAMS The Agricultural Act of 2014 (the Act), also known as the 2014 Farm Bill, was signed by President Obama on February 7, 2014. The Act repeals certain programs, continues some programs with modifications, and authorizes several new programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Most of these programs are authorized and funded through 2018. For the latest on 2014 Farm Bill programs administered by FSA, please visit our Farm Bill website at www.fsa.usda.gov/farmbill and for an FSA program overview please read, download and/or print our recently posted FSA Farm Bill Fact Sheet titled, What's in the 2014 Farm Bill for Farm Service Agency Customers? For more information on FSA, please contact your local USDA Service Center or visit us online at www.fsa.usda.gov. USDA ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO FRUIT, VEGETABLE AND WILD RICE PLANTING RULESFarm Service Agency (FSA) has announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014. Producers who intend to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are subject to an acre-for-acre payment reduction when fruits and nuts, vegetables or wild rice are planted on the payment acres of a farm. Payment reductions do not apply to mung beans, dry peas, lentils or chickpeas. Planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on acres that are not considered payment acres will not result in a payment reduction. Farms that are eligible to participate in ARC/PLC but are not enrolled for a particular year may plant unlimited fruits, vegetables and wild rice for that year but will not receive ARC/PLC payments for that year. Eligibility for succeeding years is not affected. Planting and harvesting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on ARC/PLC acreage is subject to the acre-for-acre payment reduction when those crops are planted on either more than 15 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC using the county coverage or PLC, or more than 35 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC using the individual coverage. Fruits, vegetables and wild rice that are planted in a double-cropping practice will not cause a payment reduction if the farm is in a double-cropping region as designated by the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation. LIVESTOCK DISASTER ASSISTANCE SIGN-UP UNDERWAY Livestock disaster program enrollment is underway. These disaster programs are authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill as permanent programs and provide retroactive authority to cover losses that occurred on or after October 1, 2011. Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) - ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish that have losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by LFP and LIP. Producers who suffered eligible livestock, honeybee or farm-raised fish losses during 2012 and 2013 program years must submit a notice of loss and application for payment to their local FSA office by August 1, 2014. For 2014 program year losses, the notice of loss and an application for payment must be submitted by November 1, 2014.
- For program years 2015 and later, Notice of Loss must be filed within 30 days of the losses becoming apparent or November 1, whichever is earlier.
For more information, producers can review the ELAP and Fact Sheets on the Farm Bill webpage. Producers are encouraged to make an appointment with their local FSA office to apply for these programs. NEW FARM BILL OFFERS INCREASED FARM LOAN OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCERSThe 2014 Farm Bill offers increased opportunities for producers including farm loan program modifications that create flexibility for new and existing farmers. A fact sheet outlining modifications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is available here. The Farm Bill expands lending opportunities for thousands of producers to begin and continue operations, including greater flexibility in determining eligibility, raising loan limits, and emphasizing beginning and socially disadvantaged producers. Changes that will take effect immediately include: - Elimination of the 15 year term limit for guaranteed operating loans.
- Modification of the definition of beginning farmer, using the average farm size for the county as a qualifier instead of the median farm size.
- Modification of the Joint Financing Direct Farm Ownership Interest Rate to 2 percent less than regular Direct Farm Ownership rate, with a floor of 2.5 percent. Previously, the rate was established at 5 percent.
- Increase of the maximum loan amount for Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment Loan Program from $225,000 to $300,000.
- Elimination of rural residency requirement for Youth Loans, allowing urban youth to benefit.
- Debt forgiveness on Youth Loans, which will not prevent borrowers from obtaining additional loans from the federal government.
- Increase of the guaranteed percentage on Conservation Loans from 75 to 80 percent and 90 percent for socially disadvantaged borrowers and beginning farmers.
- Microloans will not count toward direct operating loan term limits for veterans and beginning farmers.
Additional modifications must be implemented through the rulemaking processes. Visit the FSA Farm Bill website for detailed information and updates to farm loan programs. Farmland Conservation Funding Focuses on Lake Michigan and Sheboygan/Calumet County The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced conservation funds available to farmers in several Lake Michigan watersheds. The funds are available to help farmers incorporate conservation activities to improve water quality and reduce phosphorus reaching the Great Lakes. Farmers in the Manitowoc/Sheboygan, and the Milwaukee River watershed may be eligible for these special funds to help clean up the Great Lakes, according to Jimmy Bramblett, Wisconsin State Conservationist. All of Sheboygan and Calumet county is eligible to sign up for the special funding opportunity. "This is a great opportunity for farmers to improve their operations with specific conservation practices, and reduce phosphorus runoff in Sheboygan creeks and streams as well," said Bramblett. "Reducing phosphorus is the key to cleaner water in Lake Michigan." The funding was provided through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and is available from NRCS. Wisconsin is one of eight states participating in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). This is the fifth year of the Initiative. Apply by July 18 Producers in can apply at the USDA Service Center for funding to install conservation systems to reduce runoff and erosion. To apply contact the Sheboygan Falls or Chilton field office by July 18, 2014. GLRI focuses on conservation practices that are most effective at reducing farm runoff, as well as improving fish and wildlife habitat and controlling invasive species. Examples of these practices include waste storage facilities, crop residue management, no-till, nutrient management, tree planting, wetland creation, upland wildlife management, and brush management, among others. NRCS Announces Special Cover Crop Sign-up by July 11th The Sheboygan and Calumet Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a special funding opportunity to help landowners plant cover crops for erosion control, soil improvement or other conservation needs. Cover crops are highly effective in reducing soil erosion, as well as suppressing weeds and building up organic matter and soil health. The cover crop may include rye, oats, millet, wheat, red clover, turnips, canola, radishes, or other species, either alone or in combination. Cover crops reduce wind or water erosion by literally covering the soil. They also use up excess nutrients in the soil reducing risk of runoff, they sequester carbon, and improve soil structure. For more information on cover crops, see Wisconsin Cover Crops factsheet, and "How to Establish Cover and Green Manure Crops". Farmers with crop insurance will need to check with their crop insurance agent to make sure the cover crop is terminated so as not to impact their insurance payments or coverage. Sign up at the NRCS office by July 11 to be considered for this funding. For more information, visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov , or contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center: Sheboygan Falls Field Office: 920-467-9917 Ext. 101, or michael.patin@wi.usda.gov. Chilton Field Office: 920-849-1444 Ext. 2, or Joe.Smedberg@wi.usda.gov USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay),
(866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). | 
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