Nomination process complete for this year

The nomination process for the FSA committee elections has been completed for this year. We appreciate the interest voters have shown in this process, and congratulate the nominees on their appointment to the ballot! FSA committees provide an important grass roots "connection" with USDA programs offered to the farm population of this area through programs like the Conservation Reserve Program, Commodit Loan and Loan Deficiency Payment efforts, Direct and Counter-cyclical Program, Crop Disaster Programs, etc.

The election in Bourbon County this year involves the southeastern LAA (district) no. 3 which includes the townships of Marmaton, Pawnee, Drywood, and Scott south of Highway 54. The nominees (in alphabetical order) for this year include Glenn Oberst, Donna Simpson, John Sinn, and Lewis Williams. The incumbent for this position, Leon Fry, did not seek re-nomination.

Ballots will be mailed out during the third week of November for return by December 1, 2008, to complete the voting. All eligible voters are encouraged to mark their ballot when it is received and return it to the applicable office. All agricultural landowners and operators are eligible to vote, and should contact our office if a ballot is not received in the mail.

The Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Lender. Candidates will be considered without discrimination for any non-merit reason, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or familial status, disability, political affiliation, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.

ACREAGE REPORTING NOTE

As announced over the past several weeks, the USDA program deadline for reporting all crops and land uses is Friday, August 15 This is a couple of weeks later than normal due to the widespread wet conditions across several states that delayed planting operations this spring and early summer. Program benefits in most programs will be withheld if this annual report is not completed.

A late filed report can be filed if evidence of the crop is still apparent and a late filed fee of $46 per farm is paid. A timely report will avoid the need for paying any penalties. Good progress has been made to get all reports taken, but a few remain to be recorded.

Contact your local FSA office by Friday to get this report filed for the year.

SUPPLEMENTAL DISASTER COVERAGE

More information about this potential benefit is forthcoming. This crop year is progressing agreeably so far, so a decision about the 2008 year can be made from our perspective of being already through a chunk of the growing season.

Some sessions to provide more updated information concerning these disaster program efforts will be announced later - closer to the September 16, 2008 deadline for "buying in" for 2008.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.