“Plan ahead” is what the USDA is urging local farmers to do while their land remains frozen. As the spring thaw nears, the USDA says there is a long check list every farmer should consider before the heavy work begins. Dickinson County Executive Director Larry Lago (Luh-go) says farmers will want to look into various programs and guidelines for their respective products.
Farmers also want to keep in mind that the deadline for crop insurance is next week Tuesday, March 15 and must be made by the crop-specific, purchase closing date to insure eligibility. March 14 will mark the start of sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for producers and landowners wishing to offer land to the program. They will have to enter into a competitive contract for a duration of ten to 15 years and sign-up runs through April 15.
Most importantly though, farmers need to keep the USDA offices up-to-date with their records on land acquisition or loss, and adding individuals to a farming enterprise or corporation, as there can be major impacts on what payments and benefits they are eligible for. Plain and simple for Lago, he says justget it started now before the focus changes to the work being put into the ground.
The Dickinson County FSA and USDA Office is located at 2414 17th Street in Spirit Lake and can be reached at 336-3782 extension 2.
