Navigating the 2002 Farm Bill Sign-upClick here for the entire Navi gating the 2002 Farm Bill Sign-up in PDF Format Please note: PDF items require Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free and freely distributed software program. If you do not currently have it, you can download Adobe now. The 2002 Farm Bill has given U.S. agricultural producer’s options – a lot of options. With these options has come a complexity not previously experienced in previous farm programs. Wading through this complexity, however, can mean a greater safety net and is well worth producers’ time. The 6-year Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 was signed by the President on May 13, 2002 and authorized a one-time opportunity to update the farm’s base and yield for the six-year period of 2002-2007. Two of the three "safety net" payments, direct and counter-cyclical (DCP), are tied to the declared crop acreage base and yield. Farmers have five options to consider in updating their bases and yield and have until April 1, 2003 to make this declaration. Unlike in the past, USDA has said there will NOT be an extension to this deadline. As of the beginning of February only 26% of Ohio farmers had updated their base and yield. This slow pace has created concern at USDA. "For the sign-up process to proceed smoothly, we need a steady flow of producers visiting their local county FSA office from now to the April 1 deadline," said Farm Service Agency Administrator Jim Little. It is vitally important that producer’s review their records and options, gather their paperwork and prepare for visits to the county FSA office. Base and yield selections will prove much easier if producers are prepared when visiting their county offices.
Planting Flexibility
Provisions – Implications for Fruit & Vegetable
Production
Links to assist in calculating YieldsThe USDA released a public notice known as DCP-27 that shares production evidence requirements for proving DCP Payment yields. For all the details click… Production Evidence Requirements for DCP Payment Yields
Farm Program Calculators designed to allow producers to try out several options and assist in determining the best alternative are available. OSU’s is found at http://aede.osu.edu/progra ms/outlook/farm_bill Texas A&M’s is at http://www.afpc.tamu.edu USDA FSA’s website also includes a compilation of frequently asked questions that can be very helpful in addressing questions and concerns. It can be found at... http://www.fsa.usda.go v/pas/farmbill/fbfaqhome.asp USDA’s website includes the text of the Farm Bill and comparisons to the FAIR Act at... http://www.usda.gov/farmbill/ Ohio’s State FSA office offers contact information at...
Be sure to sign up by April 1, 2003! | |