Adequate Approved Vegetative Cover to Control Erosion for the Contract Period

July 2006

UNITED STATES NOMINATION PERIOD You can nominate yourself or others as DEPARTMENT candidates. Community based OF OPEN FOR COC organizations representing minorities and AGRICULTURE ELECTION women can nominate candidates. To become a nominee, eligible individuals Farm Service We are currently accepting nominations must sign nomination form FSA-669A. Agency for candidates to serve on the Northern The form includes a statement that the and Southern County Farm Service nominee agrees to serve if elected. Northern County Agency Committees. The nomination Office period closes Tuesday, August 1, 2006. PO Box 585 Keep the following important dates in mind during the 2006 county committee election Delta Junction, AK “Farmers and Ranchers have an process: 99737 important opportunity to ensure that their FSA County Committee represents  The nomination period ends 907.895.4242 them by participating in the County August 1. 866.872.3320 Committee election process,” said Fax: 907.895.5003 Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. “I  Ballots will be mailed to eligible encourage agricultural producers across voters by November 3. The last email: the country to nominate eligible day to return voted ballots to the [email protected], especially minorities and county office is December 4, women, to serve on their local 2006. committees and to vote this fall.”  Newly elected county committee Southern County members take office January 1, Office Farmers and ranchers who serve on 2007. 800 W Evergreen county committees help make decisions Suite 216 necessary to administer federal farm For detailed information about FSA county Palmer, AK 99645 programs offered in their communities. committees or to obtain a nomination form County committees make decisions on FSA-669A, visit the county office or go 907.761.7754 agricultural issues such as commodity online at: 866.872.3320 price support loans and payments, http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/e Fax: 907.761.7738 conservation programs, disaster lections/Default.asp payments and employing county email: executive directors.

State Committee If you participate or cooperate in Bill Ward, Chair programs administered by FSA and live Jeanette James in the local administrative area conducting an election, you may be State Executive nominated for candidacy for a Director committee. You can obtain a complete Chad B. Padgett list of eligibility requirements y visiting the County Office or online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publication s/facts/html/cocelig06htm

CRP COVER MAINTENANCE If you have Internet access, visit and acreage reports (FSA-578) http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafl/defaul from the Farm Service Agency. You are required to maintain your t.htm to learn more about FSA The statement must specify the Conservation Reserve Program loans. crop year and the related acres according to the documents that you want conservation plan you agreed to reproduced for the insurance with the Natural Resources agent. Conservation Service. You need to make sure you: Selected Interest Rates for Insurance agents will be required July 2006 to pay $1.00 per map photocopy  Adequate approved 90-Day Treasury Bill 4.625% and $0.20 per printed page for vegetative cover to control acreage documents. County Farm Operating - Direct 5.375% erosion for the contract offices are not responsible for period Farm Ownership - Direct 5.500% mailing copies to private crop  Control weeds and other Limited Resource 5.000% insurance company types of undesirable Farm Ownership - Direct representatives. Loss adjusters vegetation Down Payment, can request photocopies of maps 4.000%  Take control measures Beginning Farmer or and printed documents by outside of the primary Rancher submitting forms FSA-426 or FSA- nesting season. Emergency 3.750% 426A. Please keep in mind mowing for a Farm Storage Facility 5.000% cosmetic purpose is prohibited. Sugar Storage Facility 5.250% That is why it is important to review Commodity Loans 1996- 6.000% “The United States Department of your conservation plan and talk to Present Agriculture (USDA) prohibits NRCS if you think undesirable Tobacco (TTPP) 10.000 discrimination in all its programs plant species are invading your Discount Rate % and activities on the basis of race, CRP land. color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual FARM RECORD orientation, genetic information, CHANGES political beliefs, reprisal, or If you have bought, sold or are because all or part of an renting different land, make sure individual’s income is derived from you report the changes to the staff any public assistance program. at your local Farm Service Agency (Not all prohibited bases apply to county office as soon as possible all programs.) Persons with so farm records can be updated. disabilities who require alternative means for communication of For farm ownership changes you program information (Braille, large FSA FARM LOANS will need to provide a recorded prints, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center The Farm Service Agency makes deed or recorded land contract. All at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD)” both direct and guaranteed farm landowners must furnish their tax ownership and operating loans to ID numbers. Remember, failure to family-size farmers and ranchers maintain accurate records with who cannot obtain commercial FSA on all land you have an “To file a complaint of credit from a bank, Farm Credit interest in can lead to possible discrimination, write USDA, System institution or other lender. program ineligibility and fines if you Director, Office of Civil Rights, FSA loans can be used to are participating in farm programs. 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, purchase land, livestock, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or equipment, feed, seed and call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202- supplies. The loans can also be AGENTS NEED 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an used to construct buildings or equal opportunity provider and make farm improvements. SIGNED employer.” STATEMENT If you’re having trouble getting Private crop insurance company commercial credit, check with the representatives will now be county office staff about eligibility, required to produce a signed as well as maximum loan amounts, statement from you, the producer, rates, term and use of proceeds. when requesting map photocopies USDA FSA State Office PRSRT STD 800 West Evergreen Postage Fees Paid Suite 216 Farm Service Agency Palmer, AK 99654 Permit NO.G-96