USDA & FSA News

Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Provisions
Producers shall not be eligible for certain program benefits if the average adjusted gross income exceeds specified amounts.  Producers must annually certify to meet this eligibility. click here
Direct Attribution
Payments will be limited by direct attribution to individuals or entities. A legal entity is defined as an entity created under federal or state law that owns land or an agricultural commodity, product or livestock.  click here 

Foreign Person Rule
In addition to any other eligibility requirements, the following significant contributions must be provided by a person or legal entity considered to be a foreign person.  A foreign person must provide a significant contribution of active personal labor, capital and land.  Each foreign person that is a stockholder or other type of member within an entity must provide active personal labor. The foreign person/entity rules apply to DCP, CRP, LDP’s, loans, MLG’s, and MILC program benefits. click here

Payment Limitation/Eligibility
USDA payments and benefits are subject to producer eligibility and limitation provisions as defined by law. Documents and forms to determine eligibility and limitation once completed are reviewed on an annual basis. It is the producer’s responsibility to report changes in the farming operation which may affect payment eligibility and payment limitation. click here

Hispanic and Women Farmers
A process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who believe they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans has been established. click here

2012 DCP/ACRE Sign-up
2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) enrollment is scheduled to begin Jan. 23, 2012 and will end June 1, 2012.  Here are some IMPORTANT REMINDERS:click here

Farm Rescue
Need Help Planting a Crop? Call Farm Rescue, the nonprofit organization that plants and harvests crops for family farmers who have experienced a major injury, illness or natural disaster. Up to 1,000 acres planted free of charge.click here

County Committee Election Results
Congratulations to Kevin Lunde! Kevin was elected to represent farmers from Audubon, Burlington, Cormorant, Detroit, Erie, Evergreen, Lake Eunice, Lake Park, Lake View and Silver Leaf townships on the county committee. Kevin was elected to his second consecutive term.  The election results for Local Administrative Area 3 are:    click here


2012 Date to Remember

Staff

OFFICE STAFF Crystal Foltz Holly Heimark Beth Davis Mary Golkowski

Jim Velde, Farm Loan Manager Tony Riniker, Farm Loan Officer Lisa Menne, Farm Loan Officer COUNTY COMMITTEE Margie Hall, Chairperson Kevin Lunde, Member George Scherzer, Minority Advisor William Steffl, Vice Chairperson

Location & Hours
BECKER COUNTY FSA OFFICE • 809 8TH ST. SE
DETROIT LAKES, MN 56501
PHONE (218) 847-9392 • FAX (218) 847-8910
OPEN 8 AM TO 4:30 PM MONDAY-FRIDAY

Information
Serving Becker and surrounding counties. Written and Edited by these Becker County Offices: The University of Minnesota Extension, FSA, NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation District. New articles are published each month. If you have questions or comments please contact us.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA ‘s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.