USDA Update

By Rod Johnson

October 15, 2004

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have approved a disaster aid package for the Florida hurricane damage that also includes funds for drought and other disaster aid. The legislation will have to be approved by the President before it becomes law. The legislation allows a producer to select either the 2003 or 2004 crop year to received disaster benefits, similar to the 2001/2002 Disaster Program FSA administered a year ago.

The Kiowa County FSA Office has nearly completed processing annual CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and DCP (Direct and Counter-cyclical Program) payments. The majority of payments have been issued electronically or by check. Producers with direct deposit payments have been mailed a payment statement.

Many new options are coming that will allow producers to prepare FSA contracts and request payments are becoming available. If you have good computer internet access at home, you may want to consider establishing a "Level 2" access so you can begin to access your FSA records at home. When obtaining a "Level 2" access, you will establish a unique password to protect your records. This year, FSA Offices will be loading contracts for the 2005 Direct and Counter-cyclical program through the internet, just like you will be able to do at home. You will also be able to access your payment information. Information on E-GOV can be found on the FSA-USDA web site at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp and we also have a brochure available and can discuss the process with you at the at the FSA Office.

Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) applications will also be able to be entered on your home computer. Additional program applications, including access to the new digital aerial photography when fully operational, are planned for the future.

Don’t worry if all of this new electronic technology is baffling to you, the FSA Office will still be here to assist you just like we have always been. Agriculture has always changed and this is just the next generation of new developments. The next generation that has grown up with computers will take this all in stride. For those of us who are accumulating several winters (including myself), change does not come quite as easy but it can be exciting and keep our mind young.

The Kansas City Commodity Office is in the process of approving a new grain storage agreement for Tempel Grain Elevator LLP, P.O. Box 36, Wiley CO 81092. The new agreement includes elevators at Haswell, Sheridan Lake and Towner merged under Vilas CO and warehouse code No. 80898. As soon as final approval is given, these elevators will be eligible to issue warehouse receipts and store grain under FSA crop loans.

Telephone 719-438-5851 FSA (Ext 2), NRCS (Ext 3). E-mail individuals firstname.lastname@ co.usda.gov (Example rod.johnson@co.usda.gov, , walt.immer, nadene.gaynor, dawna.weirich, charla.ferris, marvin.watson, marlin.miller, brett.jones) Kiowa County FSA Web Site – http://www.fsa.usda.gov/co/County%20Webs/Kiowa_county.htm