USDA Update

By Rod Johnson

November 21, 2003

November is Native American Heritage Month. Kiowa County residents have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Indian heritage and culture as the Sand Creek National Historic Site progresses. I had the opportunity to visit the Northern Cheyenne Reservation at Lame Deer, Montana in May of this year. I was able to participate in a very spiritual ceremony and celebration of the life of Luke Brady who had died on March 22, 2002. I will never forget that date since that is also my wedding anniversary. Luke is a Sand Creek descendent and was very instrumental in the archeological survey of the Sand Creek site. Although I found a different culture, I found amazing similarities. They have great concern for their elders and children. I was very proud of how the Indians celebrate their military service men and women. We could all take some lessons. They fly the "Stars and Stripes" proudly and I witnessed the passing of an American flag to the younger generation. I met Ray Brady who had been a Pathfinder with the 82nd Airborne, who jumped into France during the D-Day invasion in World War II and went all the way to Germany. My Father was also in France and went through the Battle of the Bulge and all the way to Germany. He and Ray surly crossed paths.

The USDA Service Center will be closed on Thursday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. The Offices will be VERY short staffed on Wednesday, November 26 and Friday November 28, so it would be best if you could schedule your visits before or after those dates.

Agricultural producers in Local Administrative Area #2 (Middle of county, between Galatea and Chivington) will soon be receiving an election ballot for the County Committee election. There will be only one name on the ballot since incumbent County Committeeperson, Leslie Rittgers was the only one to submit a nominating petition. Producers may also write-in a candidates name. In previous years the County Committee was required to add additional names to the ballot if a minimum number of nominations were not received. USDA has also made another change in the election process in that ballots will be mailed nation wide by a contracting business instead of by each individual FSA office. Eligible voters may request a ballot at the FSA Office if one is not received by mail. Ballots must be postmarked or returned in person to the FSA Office no later than December 1, 2003. The County Committee will tabulate the ballots on December 5, 2003 at 1:00 pm in the Kiowa County FSA Office. The ballot counting is open to the public.

December 1 is the deadline for purchasing 2004 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP) coverage for several crops not insured by private agents. This includes native and planted grass, alfalfa, and mixed forage. In June of this year, a copy of all sales closing and other dates applicable to NAP crops was mailed to producers who had purchased NAP coverage for 2003. The cost of NAP coverage is $100 per crop, a maximum of $300 per county or a maximum of $900 in all counties. If a producer pays $300 we will list all crops and native grass that the individual may have in 2004.