By Meagan Peyton
CED
It’s the start of Fall, and I know most of you already are busy with the beginning of harvest for our crop producers and the weaning of calves for our cattle producers. Please keep safety in mind as you go about all your activities.
For those of you who plant fall-seeded crops, the deadline for fall acreage certification is Nov. 16. While not required, we also encourage certification of any fall-planted cover crops. The local county office has begun mailing appointment postcards. Please keep an eye out for your postcard.
The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance for losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance is available. The list of commodities covered under this program is large, so if you are raising a crop that you cannot purchase federal crop insurance for, please contact our office for information on NAP and whether it may be applicable to what you are raising. Please note deadlines for coverage for 2027 production for some crops are fast-approaching (for example, application for coverage deadline for alfalfa, mix forages and grass is Nov. 16). Contact us sooner rather than later to learn more about NAP and apply.
USDA just announced the opening of the election and enrollment periods for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2026 and 2027 crop years. This announcement also included final information on base acre allocation. Please read this news release for more details.
Whether it is an appointment for fall acreage certification, NAP application, ARC/PLC election and enrollment or some other need with our office, please note we have a new option for you to schedule your own appointment with us by using our online Bookings calendar. Find our office at the new FSA County Office locator that is searchable by state and by county. You’ll note the “Make an Appointment” option on our contact page. From there, you can select the appropriate topic for which you’d like to meet with us and find a time available that works in to your schedule. The Bookings system will automatically send a confirmation email to you once your appointment is made, along with reminder emails leading up to the meeting. It’s a quick way to schedule time with our office that is dedicated to you and your FSA needs.
While this online Bookings appointment calendar provides a great new option, please also know you are still welcome to call our office to schedule an appointment for service. We are always happy to help you.
That’s all for this month. Best wishes for a successful and safe harvest season.