Informational meetings announced for USDA programs

Producers interested in learning details on changes in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Agricultural Risk Coverage/Price Loss Coverage Programs (ARC/PLC) resulting from implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill are invited to attend one or more upcoming meetings. The meetings will involve representatives from Farm Service Agency and Washington State University Extension.

ARC/PLC election and enrollment periods for 2019 and 2020 crop year are currently underway in FSA County Offices. The program election and 2019 enrollment deadline is March 15, 2020. The deadline for 2020 enrollment is June 30, 2020. Representatives will review important changes to each program, options for updates to program yields, and will discuss predictive tools available to producers to assist in determining the most beneficial program in which to elect. Elections are valid for 2019 and 2020, and may be annually reelected or revised thereafter for the remainder of the life of the Farm Bill.

CRP signup has not been officially announced as of the date of this publication; however, under the Farm Bill statute, a general CRP signup period is mandated to be held yearly. Representatives will review changes to the Environmental Benefit Index (EBI) used to rank and determine acceptability of offers, updates to soil rental rate (SRR) calculations used for valuing offers for enrollment. Officials will also discuss significant changes to CRP policies involving haying and grazing and State Acreage for Wildlife (SAFE) contracting.

Meetings will be held Monday, December 9, 2019 at the Legion Hall, 106 W. Broadway, Ritzville WA from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., and at the Memorial Hall, 511 Park Street, Davenport, WA from 1:30 pm.- 3:30 p.m. For additional information on the meetings, or for persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in these meetings should contact (for Davenport) Sara Cossio at 509-725-4501 or (for Ritzville) Chris Holt at 509-659-1761 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339. USDA programs are available to all without discrimination.