USDA: Conservation certification at 98 percent
July 10, 2015 |11:17 AM
The Agriculture Department announced today that more than 98 percent of producers have met the 2014 farm bill requirement to self-certify compliance with conservation measures in order to qualify for crop insurance premium support payments.
“This overwhelming response is a product of USDA’s extensive outreach and the commitment of America’s farmers to be stewards of the land,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By investing in both American farmers and the health of our productive lands, we are ensuring future generations have access to fertile soil, healthy food supplies, and a strong rural economy.”
USDA noted in a press release that it had “gone to extraordinary lengths” to make sure producers knew of the June 1 deadline to submit compliance paperwork.
Compliance is expected to extend conservation provisions for an additional 1.5 million acres of highly erodible lands and 1.1 million acres of wetlands, USDA said, and reduce soil erosion, enhance water quality, and create wildlife habitat.
A USDA official said that the 1.8 percent of producers who have not filed are believed to be mostly in transition into or out of agriculture.
The House version of the fiscal year 2016 Agriculture appropriations bill contains a provision that puts off compliance for a year.
“I’ve asked the agencies to contact the producers again before their sales closing date,” said Vilsack. “I want to ensure that every producer that turned in an AD-1026 by June 1, 2015, knows they can still make corrections and remain eligible for premium support.”
USDA said it is providing additional flexibility to help the newly insured producers to certify their conservation compliance.
For example, it said, producers who began farming or ranching after June 1, or producers who have not participated in USDA programs before June 1, can file an exemption to the conservation compliance certification for reinsurance year 2016 and still be eligible for the crop insurance premium support.
The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) is available at local USDA Service Centers or online.
“This overwhelming response is a product of USDA’s extensive outreach and the commitment of America’s farmers to be stewards of the land,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By investing in both American farmers and the health of our productive lands, we are ensuring future generations have access to fertile soil, healthy food supplies, and a strong rural economy.”
USDA noted in a press release that it had “gone to extraordinary lengths” to make sure producers knew of the June 1 deadline to submit compliance paperwork.
Compliance is expected to extend conservation provisions for an additional 1.5 million acres of highly erodible lands and 1.1 million acres of wetlands, USDA said, and reduce soil erosion, enhance water quality, and create wildlife habitat.
A USDA official said that the 1.8 percent of producers who have not filed are believed to be mostly in transition into or out of agriculture.
The House version of the fiscal year 2016 Agriculture appropriations bill contains a provision that puts off compliance for a year.
“I’ve asked the agencies to contact the producers again before their sales closing date,” said Vilsack. “I want to ensure that every producer that turned in an AD-1026 by June 1, 2015, knows they can still make corrections and remain eligible for premium support.”
USDA said it is providing additional flexibility to help the newly insured producers to certify their conservation compliance.
For example, it said, producers who began farming or ranching after June 1, or producers who have not participated in USDA programs before June 1, can file an exemption to the conservation compliance certification for reinsurance year 2016 and still be eligible for the crop insurance premium support.
The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) is available at local USDA Service Centers or online.
