FSA has begun 2016 ARC/PLC sign up Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 13, 2016
The ARC/PLC sign up began on Dec. 7, 2015 and ends on Aug. 1, 2016. Producers have already made the choice between ARC and PLC which remains in effect through 2018, but producers must still enroll their farm by signing a contract each year to receive coverage and be eligible for payments should crop prices or farm revenues fall below the historical price or revenue benchmarks established by the program. FSA encourages producers to complete the 2016 contracts now before the spring planting begins. Some FSA ofces are sending out appoint- FSA News & Notes ment cards and some are notifying produces using GovDelivery newsletters or emails, but it is still the producer’s responsibility to sign the contracts if you want to participate in FSA programs. I encourage you to please call your local FSA ofce and make an appointment before coming into the FSA ofce. With an appointment the staff can make sure to have the farm les ready for you to sign contracts if nothing has changed since 2015. Please remember if you rented new land or ownership on a previously rented farm has changed, you will need to bring in your 2016 leases that reect these changes, so the By Phyllis Framstad FSA ofce can update our farm records and have the correct Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. producer on the farm. If you purchased new land, please bring the recorded deed in so the farm records can be updated according to the county records. Transactions completed at the court house are not automatically updated with FSA. This information needs to be submitted so all farm records can be updated. If you have any questions, please call your local FSA ofce prior to your appointment. CRP general signup FSA is currently holding a general Conservation Reserve Signup (CRP). The general signup started on Dec. 1, 2015 and runs until Feb. 26, 2016. If you are interested in submitting an offer, please call your local FSA ofce to make an appointment. Farm Loan Manager, Jerry Hurrle, encourages producers to maintain good records Are you ready to begin a new year? Time seems to pass so quickly with everyone’s
busy schedules. As you start a new year, FSA wishes everyone a successful and prosperous 2016. It is also time to nalize your records for 2015 and begin planning for 2016. This is a good time to review how well organized and prepared your records are. Will it be easy for you to nalize your 2015 records and prepare for your income taxes, or are you searching through piles of receipts and paperwork trying to remember what all happened last year? Now is a good time to review your record keeping process and make changes or improvements, so you do not have the same frustrations next year. If you need nancial assistance, we also recommend that you contact your lender or FSA as soon as possible. It is important to be prepared with up-to-date nancial information when you meet with your lender.
USDA expands microloan program Producers, including beginning and underserved farmers, have a new option to gain access to land. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new nancing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. These microloans will be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. The microloan program, which celebrates its third anniversary this week, has been hugely successful, providing more than 16,800 low-interest loans, totaling over $373 million to producers across the country. Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013. Seventy percent of loans have gone to new farmers. Now, microloans will be available to also help with farm land and building purchases, and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualied producers, and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
FREE Seminars More Yield - More Profit Speaker: James Emter
Grain and Livestock Market OutlookJames Emter, CEO of Van Ahn and Company, Inc. will share an outlook for commodity markets, crop inputs, and discuss marketing plan strategies.
Planning Your Legacy
Panel presentation by Cathy Olson - Sr. Business Counseling Specialist, AgStar Financial Services, Gary Hachfeld, University of Minnesota Extension Educator and Brian J. Schoenborn, attorney at Stinson Leonard Street will speak on key steps, tax strategies and insights on developing and implementing a successful farm transition plan. Visit our website for a complete seminar description and schedule
OVER 300 BOOTHS! The Latest Farm Equipment and related products! Prizes and Giveaways • Free milk, coffee and donuts from 9-11 am
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BOOTH
Ag Solutions ...............................................104 Ag Tech Drainage .......................................... 5 AgStar Financial ................................801-900 Aldrich Tractor ............................. 5003-5017 American Door Works .............................835 AMPI.........................................................6004 AMPS, Inc ..................................................818 Arnold’s Equipment, Inc..................901-907, 1000-1006 Arnzen Construction/ St. Rosa Lumber ..... 2001-2005, 3000-3004 Barron Built ................................... 1050-1052
Bongards’ Creameries .............................1020 Boss Supply.................................... 6005-6007 Byron Seeds ................................................606 Centra Sota Co-op... 4001-4013; 5000-5012 Central Petroleum (Cen-pe-co) ..............508 Cy Pfannensten Music Service ..............1015 Dairyland Supply, Inc. ..... 601-621, 700-720 Freeport State Bank ...................................807 G3 Power Systems .....................................503 Gilman Co-op Creamery..................913-919 Hodgman Drainage ...................................616 Hutton, Inc. .............................................6009
Lifestyle Lumber ........................................719 McKay’s Dodge ........ 3001-3005; 4000-4004 Messer Repair and Fabrication 103-105-107 Modern Farm Equipment ...............832-838; 837-843; 936-1038 Midsota .......................412-414-416-418-420 Midwest Machinery ......... 519-521; 618-620 Mimbach Fleet ...................................120-122 MN Pro Fence ....................................509-511 Northland Buildings .................................914 Olivia Chrylser..........................................N/A Paul’s Welding and Repair ........................102
R.J Lanners, inc. Trucking .......................N/A RDO Equipment ............... 115-121; 214-220 River Power & Equipment................500-502 Schlenner Wenner & Company ...............918 Star Publications ............................................ 7 Stearns Bank ...............................................405 Stearns County Farm Bureau ...................902 Sunrise Ag ..................................................711 Tracy Seeds ...............................................1003 Weiser Concrete Products, Inc. ...............201 Wingert Sales and Service ........221-318-320 Woller Equipment .............................310-312
More than just a jacket
I was really nervous on the morning of Oct. 27, 2012. Hours of hard work, a tremendous group of supporters and an inconceivable amount of memories had led me to this morning. I zipped my blue corduroy jacket one last time, wiped a tear from my eye and left my hotel. I was heading to the American FFA Degree ceremony, which would mark the end of a remarkable eight years I had spent as an FFA member. I was rst exposed to FFA when I was very young. For as long as I can remember, my dad has been active in my local FFA Alumni chapter, hauling me along to the county fair, annual Toy Show and the occasional monthly meeting as long as I have been able to walk. It was no secret when I reached middle school that I wanted to be an FFA member. I joined the FFA in seventh grade. I lled out a membership form, gave my adviser a handful of crumpled dollars and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. From speaking contests to conventions, a week rarely went by that I didn’t have my blue corduroy jacket with me. It sounds so harmonious to hear former FFA memBy Cassie Olson bers talk about their time in the blue jacket, but we ofStaff Writer ten forget amongst the excitement of it, a lot of change happens in their short time as members. One of the earliest memories I have in FFA was attending the Made for Excellence (MFE) conference. I had been so excited to travel with my friends in my chapter that I didn’t realize I would be meeting many new people. I recall arriving to the conference and getting my room assignment, only to realize I wasn’t staying with the girls from my chapter, but rather girls from three other chapters in our area. Immediately, I panicked, frightened by the idea of going outside of my comfort zone and meeting a group of complete strangers. Regardless of my hesitations, my adviser and friends calmed me down and I went on to have a great experience at the conference. Looking back on that single moment now, I cannot help but laugh at myself because of who I have become. FFA exposed me to an incredible amount of beautifully-driven people over the course of eight years, whether they were from just down the road or from the edges of the country. Through contests and competitions, I was able to cultivate skills that helped me become a better student and ultimately led me to my career. FFA recently received a lot of backlash from an activist organization by dissecting everything from the FFA mission statement to its motto in an attempt to bring negative attention to its activities through an online blog post. It pains me to think that there is support out there against an organization I personally watched develop good people into great farmers, leaders and agriculturalists who continue to make an impact worldwide. In response to the post, it was moving for me to see social media become alive with thousands of FFA members, alumni and supporters share their story via the hashtag #FFAproud. So many people shared stories, memories and photos, showing just how positive of an impact FFA has had in the lives of students. It brought back the same nervous excitement I knew too well from my time spent in the corduroy jacket. As you may know from your own communities, FFA week is coming up on Feb. 20-27. From events in their schools to public displays in the community, 629,367 FFA members representing 7,757 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will celebrate the organization that offers just as much opportunity to them as I experienced over the course of my membership. On the afternoon of October 27, 2012, I took off my blue jacket one last time and shed a few tears as I reminisced on the experiences I had over the course of eight years. FFA had a large role in shaping me into the person I am today and continues to make a tremendous impact in the lives of students across the nation. The blue jacket is so much more than just a jacket; it’s a driving force in the development of the youth of our industry. I can passionately say that I am FFA proud.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 13, 2016 • Page 31
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at Nature’s Best L.L.C., 311 S. Main St., Inwood, IA 51240 Overview: The S.P.A.M. Conference was designed to bring a full spectrum of professionals together with topics that really matter in today’s agricultural, livestock, soil, and human health world. We cordially invite you to our third annual S.P.A.M. conference! Accommodations: Limited rooms available at Knights Inn in Rock Valley, IA. Please call for reservations (712) 476-9388. Meals: Non GMO and organic meals and snacks will be available Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday.
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Dr. Jay Ortman (Ortman Clinic) Molly Haviland (Certified Soil Life Consultant) David Casper, PhD (SDSU Dairy Nutritionist) Mike Terpstra (Simplex Seed Co.) Roger TeSlaa (Nature’s Best L.L.C.) Chad Tesch (Nature’s Best L.L.C.) Dan Yegge (Ag Performance Financial)
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