Farmers have some new dates to mark on their calendars, because three U.S. Department of Agriculture deadlines have been extended and others are approaching.

From routine referendums to major bills, all local, state and national government policies are a part of the delicate balance that farmers must maintain, especially in tough economic times.

“Everything that every one has suffered as a consumer, the way everything you can touch has gone up and quadrupled in price, that’s the impact it has had on us as farmers,” said local soybean producer Allen Baucom.

Amy Hill Yaklin, Acting County Executive Director of USDA’s Richmond County Farm Service Agency, announced this month that her office will be accepting nominations for two County Committee positions from now until August 3.

“With any program that the government has passed and says that we need to help farmers with, the local county committee oversees that,” said Yaklin. “They come in once a month and we go over what program changes have been made, what new programs are out there and who’s applied for programs. They determine who’s eligible and who’s not.

“They are my supervisors.”

According to Yaklin, current vice chair Nat Rankin’s term is up for election in Local Administrative Area Two (LAA2), which includes Beaver Dam and Mineral Springs Townships. Rankin was completing the term for someone else.

Nominations are also being solicited for additional minority advisers committee. Current adviser Susan Dewitt would not be replaced; another adviser would just be added.

“She sits in on all our meetings and has input on women farmers and their role,” said Yaklin. “We would love to have more minority farmer representation.”

Richmond County farmers are a more diverse group than one might think.

“We probably have 10 Laotian chicken farmers,” said Yaklin. “For a county this size, that’s a lot.”

Nominations will be accepted at the county office.

Yaklin also announced that the USDA has extended the sign-up deadline from June 1, to August 14, 2009, for both the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and the forthcoming Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Programs. This action extends the sign-up deadline by 10 weeks to give producers ample time to decide whether to participate in ACRE or remain in DCP.

According to Yaklin, the original June 1 deadline may have forced producers to rush their decisions

“Extending the sign-up deadline for both these programs ensures that America’s farmers have enough information and time needed to determine if ACRE is the right program for their operational needs,” said Yaklin. “The DCP and ACRE programs play a critical role in the farm safety net and it is vital that we act to support the hard work of the farmers we depend on.”

Local soybean producers who would like to see changes made to the industry’s existing national check-off program have the opportunity to request a referendum until May 29.

The check-off program is administered by a 68-member producer board and is designed to expand uses of soybeans and soybean products in domestic and foreign markets. The national program is currently financed by a mandatory assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market price of soybeans.

Allen Baucom of Monroe produces soybeans in Cordova, and supports the continuation of the current assessment.

“We are not unlike any other business in that when we are determining what crops to grow we’re looking for profitability — and right now soybeans are profitable. The risk is very high, but if weather cooperates and we continue to yield they can be profitable.”

USDA will conduct a referendum if at least 10 percent of the nation’s 589,182 soybean producers support it. Forms can be obtained from the county FSA office or online at www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms.

“Any time you can do something to promote agriculture, it’s a good thing,” said Yaklin. “As long as it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg.”

Yaklin also announced that the recently passed stimulus bill allows producers to become eligible for 2008 disaster assistance authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill even if they did not previously obtain otherwise statutorily required crop insurance from the federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) or Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for 2008 by now paying a buy-in fee through May 18, 2009.

Paying such a buy-in fee does not provide the producer with crop insurance or NAP for the 2008 crop year; it merely permits the producer to become eligible for the 2008- crop disaster assistance programs.

Interested?

For more information, contact Amy Hill Yaklin at 895-3950, ext. 2.