USDA Update

In order to serve you, our producers, to the best of our ability, FSA and NRCS personnel try to complete computer software installations, update other files, complete fieldwork or be away from the office on Fridays. If at all possible, we encourage you to schedule your visits to the service center Monday through Thursday. We would hate to have you come from any distance and not be able to complete the necessary paperwork because the computer is "down" or the person you need to see is out of the office.

Since the majority of FSA payments are now made using Direct Deposit of funds to your bank account, it is very important that you notify us when you change your banking information. This will save a considerable amount of time resolving payments that are sent to the wrong bank.

The deadline for applying for the 2005 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) has not been established, but it will probably be sometime in December. Deferred applications from 2004 will not be resubmitted for 2005 unless the producer completes a new application. The applications will be processed early in 2005 with a projected date of March 2005 for notification of contract approval or rejections. This program can cost share installation of conservation practices such as terraces, stockwater pipelines, tanks and windbreaks. A new policy for this program now allows cost sharing for installing windmills. The benefit ranking process for applications for this program has been revised for 2005. Contact NRCS for further information.