Disaster assistance sign-up is underway

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Executive Director Alan Bull announced that producers can enroll in the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program for 2011 crop year losses beginning Oct. 22. Under the 2008 Farm Bill, SURE authorizes assistance to farmers and ranchers who suffered crop losses caused by natural disasters occurring through Sept. 30, 2011.

"Eligible producers who experienced a 2011 crop loss can contact the Delta County Farm Service Agency office to learn more about the SURE program," said Bull. "All eligible farmers and ranchers must sign up for 2011 SURE benefits before the June 7, 2013 deadline," he said.

To qualify for a SURE payment, the producer's operation must be located in a county that was declared a disaster for 2011 and have at least a 10 percent production loss that affects one crop of economic significance. Producers with agricultural operations located outside a disaster county are eligible for SURE benefits if they had a production loss greater or equal to 50 percent of the normal production on the farm.

Delta County received a primary Secretarial Disaster Designation during 2011. This means Delta County producers can apply for SURE benefits as long as all other eligibility requirements are met.

To meet program eligibility requirements, producers must have obtained a policy or plan of insurance for all insurable crops through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and obtained Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage on non-insurable crops, if available, from FSA. Eligible farmers and ranchers who meet the definition of a socially disadvantaged, limited resource or beginning farmers or ranchers do not have to meet this requirement. Forage crops intended for grazing are not eligible for SURE benefits.

For more information on SURE program eligibility requirements contact the Delta FSA Office located at 690 Industrial Blvd. in Delta, telephone 874-5726 ext. 116 or visit the website at www.fsa.usda.gov/sure.

• < Prev
• Next >