by Donna Purdy
Acreage reporting has been the focus for both offices for the past month. As of today, there are 15 business days to finish up 2016 reporting. The deadline is July 15 for all crops, except green beans, which is Aug. 15. If you are done planting, give the office a call and we will get you right in. You don’t have to wait until you get a postcard. Reporting after the deadline could result in late file fees. So take a break from the hot sun, come inside, enjoy some air conditioning, and finish up your reports.
There have been some exciting new changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program. In addition to grain crop and hay storage, producers can now get financing for storage pertaining to hops, maple sap bulk tanks, milk bulk tanks, meat and poultry, eggs, cheese, butter and yogurt, renewable biomass, fruit and vegetables, honey, aquaculture, and floriculture. Handling equipment has been expanded to include, milk house structures, washing equipment, hot air recovery systems, plate coolers, water lines, tank washers, automation equipment, asphalt floors for bunks and storage pads, construction materials, walk in coolers, freezer units, new and used equipment; the list goes on and on! Newly added items also include storage and handling trucks (new or used) which include silage trucks, skid steers, self-propelled forklifts, hops bailers, weight scales, cold storage reefer trucks, grain haulers, semi-road trucks, just to name a few. Loan terms have been modified to include 3, 5, 7, 10 and 12 terms with interest rates as low as 1.0 percent. Call the office today for more information on how we may be able to help with your farm storage and handling needs.
One final note, nominations for the County Committee elections are being accepted until Aug. 1. Farmers and ranchers who are elected to serve on FSA county committees apply their judgment and knowledge to help with the decisions necessary to administer FSA programs in their counties, ensuring the needs of local producers are met. County offices rely on the knowledge and experience of the Committee for day to day decision making in the office.
In Madison County Local Administrative Area 3 is up for election. This area includes the towns of Brookfield, DeRuyter, Georgetown, Hamilton and Lebanon. Producers may nominate another producer (with their permission) or themselves to be placed on the November ballot.
In Oneida County, the Local Administrative Are 3 includes the towns of Vernon, Verona, Westmoreland, Whitesboro, Marcy, Floyd, Utica, Deerfield and Trenton. Contact the office today for a nomination form to insure your name is on the fall ballot!
In the meantime, enjoy the weather and be sure to stay hydrated!