FSA encourages early reporting of records
March 28, 2014 | 03:00 PM
The Agriculture Department's Farm Service Agency is urging farmers and ranchers who plan to participate in FSA programs, particularly disaster programs, to submit updated reports on their farm records and business structures before April 15.
FSA Administrator Juan Garcia noted in a March 21 news release that all farmers and ranchers could begin the reporting, but that is most important for those who expect to file for disaster benefits when enrollment begins on April 15.
Garcia urged farmers and ranchers to report their information as soon as possible.
“While any producer may report farm records and business structure changes, it is especially important for producers who suffered livestock, livestock grazing, honeybee, farm-raised fish, or tree/vine losses for 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014, and may be eligible for assistance through one of the four disaster programs,” FSA said in the news release.
“We expect significant interest in these programs,” said Garcia. “Early registration should help improve the sign-up process and allow us to expedite implementation of the programs. I strongly encourage producers to complete their paper work ahead of time.”
FSA said the farmers and ranchers who need to report information include:
Bank account information also should be supplied or updated if necessary to ensure that producers receive payments as quickly as possible through direct deposit, FSA said.
FSA Administrator Juan Garcia noted in a March 21 news release that all farmers and ranchers could begin the reporting, but that is most important for those who expect to file for disaster benefits when enrollment begins on April 15.
Garcia urged farmers and ranchers to report their information as soon as possible.
“While any producer may report farm records and business structure changes, it is especially important for producers who suffered livestock, livestock grazing, honeybee, farm-raised fish, or tree/vine losses for 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014, and may be eligible for assistance through one of the four disaster programs,” FSA said in the news release.
“We expect significant interest in these programs,” said Garcia. “Early registration should help improve the sign-up process and allow us to expedite implementation of the programs. I strongly encourage producers to complete their paper work ahead of time.”
FSA said the farmers and ranchers who need to report information include:
- New producers or producers who have not reported farm records to FSA.
- Producers who have recently bought, sold or rented land. Those producers need to ensure that changes have been reported and properly recorded by local FSA county office personnel. Reports of purchased or sold property should include a copy of the land deed, and if land has been leased, then documentation should be provided that indicates the producer had/has control of the acreage.
- Producers that have changed business structures (e.g. formed a partnership or LLC) need to ensure that these relationships and shares are properly recorded with FSA. Even family farms that have records on file may want to ensure that this is recorded accurately as it may impact payment limits.
Bank account information also should be supplied or updated if necessary to ensure that producers receive payments as quickly as possible through direct deposit, FSA said.
