USDA KICKS OFF THE 2014 "FEDS FEED FAMILIES" NATIONWIDE FOOD DRIVE USDA kicked off the 6th annual Feds Feed Families Campaign on June 2, 2014. The food drive is an annual event in which Federal employees, nationwide, collect food for distribution by food banks, food pantries, and shelters. The Feds Feed Families program started in 2009. The 2014 food drive officially began on June 2 and will run through August 27. All Federal agencies across the country participate in the campaign and Federal employees are asked to donate non-perishable food items throughout the summer. Donations are given to local food banks across the country – having a positive impact to help food banks address food insecurity. Secretary Vilsack noted that the latest USDA estimates show that in 2012, food insecurity affected 14.5 percent of American households at some point. If you are interested in making a donation to the annual "Feds Feed Families" Food Drive, please contact your local USDA Service Center at 410-778-5353. For more information on the Feds Feed Families campaign, please visit: http://www.usda.gov/fedsfeedfamilies.
NEW FARM BILL OFFERS INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCERS The 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 farmers and ranchers 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.
USDA ANNOUNCES THE EXTENSION OF THE MILK INCOME LOSS CONTRACT PROGRAM FOR 2014 The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently announced the extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program which protects dairy farmers against income loss through Sept. 1, 2014, or until a new Margin Protection Program for dairy producers (MPP) is operational.
Contracts for eligible producers enrolled in MILC on or before Sept. 30, 2013, are automatically extended until the termination date of the MILC program. Dairy operations with approved MILC contracts will continue to receive monthly payments if a payment rate is in effect.
MILC compensates enrolled dairy producers when the Boston Class I milk price falls below $16.94 per hundredweight (cwt), after adjustment for the cost of dairy feed rations. MILC payments are calculated each month using the latest milk price and feed cost, just as in the 2008 Farm Bill. The payment rate for October 2013 through January 2014 marketings is zero. Payment rates during the months after January 2014 until the termination of the MILC program will be determined as the appropriate data becomes available.
Producers who want to select a different production start month must visit their local FSA office between April 14, 2014, and May 30, 2014.
FSA will provide producers with information on program requirements, updates and sign-ups as the information becomes available.
2014 ACREAGE REPORTING DATES In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Kent County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Kent County: May 15, 2014: Spring Forage Seeding, Peas (Green only), Potatoes
June 15, 2014: Tomatoes
July 15, 201: Beans (Limas only), Cucumbers (Planted 4/20-6/25),
all other crops
August 15, 2014: Beans (all types except Limas), Cucumbers (Planted 6/26-
8/10)
December 15, 2014: 2015 Fall Forage Seeding, Perennial Forage, Fall-Seeded
Small Grains
January 15, 2015: 2015 Apples, Peaches
The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:
• If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed. • If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office. • If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of "cover only," "green manure," "left standing," or "seed," then the acreage must be reported by July 15th. Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins. For questions regarding crop certification and crop loss reports, please contact the Kent County FSA office at 410-778-5353.
Selected Interest Rates for June 2014 90-Day Treasury Bill .125%
Farm Operating Loans — Direct 2.25%
Farm Ownership Loans — Direct 4.00%
Farm Ownership Loans — Direct Down Payment, Beginning Farmer or Rancher 1.50%
Emergency Loans 3.25%
Farm Storage Facility Loans
(7 years) 2.25%
Sugar Storage Facility Loans 3.00%
Commodity Loans 1996-Present 1.125%
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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