A check of the calendar confirms that it is past mid-July already. Independence Day celebrations are concluded, and the hot summer days commonly associated with the month of July are upon us. That means the annual chore of filing a complete acreage report of crop and land uses with USDA's Farm Service Agency is again at hand. Commonly, the deadline is August 1 in Kansas, but August 15 has been set at for the conclusion this year in all states.

Aug. 1, however, remains the final day to nominate candidates for an FSA committee slot.

The month of June just completed was curiously reminiscent of last year -- as you might have noticed. The total rainfall for June at Fort Scott was 11.86 inches compared with June, 2007s 14.11 inches. This year's total as of June 30, though, is still ahead of the total for last year by .65 inch. The longtime (30 year) average rainfall for June is 5.71 inches. Two years ago in June of 2006, by contrast, we received only 1.95 inches.

Anyway, back to the subjects at hand. The deadline for reporting acres is Aug. 15. Reporting of all crop and land uses remains a requirement under the terms of the new farm bill for most USDA program participation -- including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP), and the new Security Crop

Revenue Assurance Programs and other benefits of the new farm bill.

Summer is always a busy time for area farmers and ranchers and for our office staff as well. This summer has again presented the added dimension of delayed planting and delayed wheat harvest due to all the moisture. Since only a few producers finished planting earlier, and most of the acreage reports remain to be filed, we are encouraging those

needing to file an acreage report to please call ahead for an appointment. This will allow us to 1) prepare for your visit, as well as to 2) reserve a time for you to avoid your having to wait in line. We are also attempting to get producers signed up for the 2008 DCP while you are in the office.

Program participation requires the acreage report to be filed. If completed late, a late-filed penalty will be charged to cover the cost of a farm visit to verify and measure reported acres. The charge for a late report was increased last year, so a minimum of $46 per farm is now the cost.

To schedule an appointment for acreage reporting prior to the Aug. 15 deadline, contact your applicable USDA Service Center -- call (620) 223-1880 in Fort Scott.

FSA ELECTION NOTICE: nominations for this year must be filed with our office by close of business on Aug. 1. (Yes - Aug. 1 not Aug. 15.) The district position up for election this year in Bourbon County is Local Administrative Area (LAA) 3 which includes the townships of Marmaton, Pawnee, Drywood, and Scott south of Highway 54. The incumbent in this position, Leon Fry, has chosen not to seek re-election.

Committee nominations must be provided on a nomination petition (call or stop by our office for a blank), and may be completed with only the signature of the nominated voter to place a name in nomination. All farm owners and/or farm operators are encouraged to become involved in the nomination and election process. Make your nomination soon!

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.