ARIZONA USDA Newsletter In this issue... U.S. Department of Agriculture 1 USDA and NASA Expand Innovative Partnership to Better (USDA) Predict Wildfires, Monitor Drought from Space 2 USDA Adds More Eligible USDA and NASA they deal with the ongoing impacts Commodities for Farm Storage Expand Innovative of climate change and drought. Facility Loans Partnership to Better Perhaps most importantly, this 2 USDA Opens Enrollment partnership will expose more Period for Agriculture Risk Predict Wildfires, young people to the power of Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Monitor Drought from science and innovation to solve Safety-Net Programs Space 2 Enrollment for 2016 Dairy some of the world’s most pressing Margin Protection Program Started challenges.” July 1 Updated Memorandum of “There are many areas where 3 USDA Announces Restart Understanding strengthens research NASA and USDA have of Biomass Crop Assistance and data sharing, promotes overlapping interests,” said Program for Renewable Energy STEM and agriculture to younger NASA’s Deputy Administrator 3 Acreage Reporting Deadlines generations Dava Newman. “We can now 3 September Surveys better coordinate and build on the 3 Reports and Publications MOFFETT FIELD, California, resources of both NASA and the 4 Desert Farmer Focuses Agriculture Deputy Secretary USDA to help learn more about our on Soil Health to Improve on- Krysta Harden and NASA Deputy planet’s vital resources and inspire farm Water Retention, Irrigation Administrator Dava Newman today the next generation to become Efficiency 4 Weekly Water and announced an expanded partnership better stewards of our planet.” 4 Climate Update between the United States Among other things, the agreement 4 Conservation Connection Department of Agriculture (USDA) will expand cooperation on space- Newsletter is available! and the National Aeronautics and borne remote sensing efforts to 5 USDA Expands Crop Space Administration (NASA) gather soil moisture data. One Insurance Options For Fruit And designed to better protect potential outcome of the expanded Nut Producers 5 Don’t Miss Crop Insurance America’s working lands, predict partnership between USDA and Deadlines and prevent natural disasters, and NASA could be using satellite data 6 Rural Broadband Access inspire young people to pursue to create a series of soil moisture Loan and Loan Guaranteed being careers in science, technology, maps for California that could offered by USDA RD engineering, mathematics and be used to improve weather and 6 Arizona Energy Masters agriculture. water availability forecasting and Course begins October 8 6 Economic Development “Space is a unique laboratory provide a drought early-warning Administration (EDA) offering that can be a gateway to solving system to producers, particularly in funding for regional innovation some of the greatest agricultural California. challenges of our time,” says Under the new agreement... Deputy Secretary Harden. “This partnership is a powerful Full story here: opportunity for USDA and NASA http://go.usa.gov/36xWJ to yield new tools and techniques to help farmers and ranchers as August Arizona USDA Newsletter 1 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer (FSA) Since 2000, more than 35,000 short grain and sweet rice), USDA Adds More facility loans have been safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, Eligible Commodities for approved totaling $2 billion in sunflower seed and wheat. Upland Farm Storage Facility rural investments. On average, cotton is no longer a covered about 1,600 new loans are made commodity. For more information Loans each year. Producers do not on the program visit www.fsa. need to demonstrate the lack of usda.gov/arc-plc. To enroll in the USDA Adds More Eligible commercial credit availability to program please contact your local Commodities for Farm Storage apply. The loans are designed to FSA office https://offices.usda.gov Facility Loans assist a diverse range of farming operations, including small and WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2015 Enrollment for 2016 mid-sized businesses, new farmers, – U.S. Department of Agriculture Dairy Margin Protection operations supplying local food and (USDA) Farm Service Agency Program Started July 1 farmers markets, non-traditional (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini As of July 1, 2015, dairy farmers farm products, and underserved today announced that the Farm can enroll in Margin Protection producers. Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Program (MPP) for coverage in To learn more about the FSA program, which provides low- 2016. Farm Storage Facility Loan, visit interest financing to producers to www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport or build or upgrade storage facilities, MPP gives participating dairy contact a local FSA county office. will now include dairy, flowers and producers the flexibility to select To find your local FSA county meats as eligible commodities. coverage levels best suited for their office, visit http://offices.usda.gov. “For 15 years, this program has operation. Enrollment begins July provided affordable financing, 1 and ends on Sept. 30, 2015, for allowing American farmers and USDA Opens Enrollment coverage in 2016. Participating ranchers to construct or expand Period for Agriculture farmers will remain in the program storage on the farm,” said Dolcini. Risk Coverage and Price through 2018 and pay a $100 “By adding eligible commodities, Loss Coverage Safety- administrative fee each year. these low-interest loans will help Net Programs Producers also have the option of even more family farmers and Eligible producers may now selecting a different coverage level ranchers to expand on-site storage.” formally enroll in the Agriculture during open enrollment each year. The new commodities eligible Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price for facility loans include Loss Coverage (PLC) programs USDA also has an online resource floriculture, hops, rye, milk, for 2014 and 2015. The enrollment available to help dairy producers cheese, butter, yogurt, meat and period began June 17, 2015, and decide which level of coverage will poultry (unprocessed), eggs, and will end Sept. 30, 2015. provide them with the strongest aquaculture (excluding systems safety net under a variety of that maintain live animals through ARC and PLC provide financial conditions. The enhanced Web tool, uptake and discharge of water). protections for agricultural available at www.fsa.usda.gov/ Commodities already eligible producers when market forces mpptool , allows dairy farmers to for the loans include corn, grain cause substantial drops in crop quickly and easily combine their sorghum, rice, soybeans, oats, prices or revenues. Covered unique operation data and other peanuts, wheat, barley, minor commodities under ARC and PLC key variables to calculate their oilseeds harvested as whole grain, include barley, canola, large and coverage needs based on price pulse crops (lentils, chickpeas and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, projections. Producers can also dry peas), hay, honey, renewable flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, review historical data or estimate biomass, and fruits, nuts and mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry future coverage based on data vegetables for cold storage peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, projections. The secure site can facilities. medium grain rice (which includes be accessed via computer, mobile phone, or tablet, 24 hours a day, August Arizona USDA Newsletter 2 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer seven days a week. summer and accepted through use of “cover only,” “green fall 2015, with new project area manure,” “left standing,” or For more information, visit FSA announcements and enrollments “seed” then the acreage must online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy taking place in early spring 2016. be reported by July 15. for more information, or stop by The extended proposal submission For Noninsured Crop Disaster a local FSA office to learn more period allows project sponsors Assistance Program (NAP) policy about MPP. To find a local FSA time to complete any needed holders, the acreage reporting office in your area, visithttp:// environmental assessments and date for NAP covered crops is the offices.usda.gov allows producers enough lead earlier of the dates listed above or time to make informed decisions 15 calendar days before grazing USDA Announces on whether or not to pursue the or harvesting of the crop begins. Restart of Biomass Crop BCAP project area enrollment For questions regarding crop Assistance Program for opportunity. For more information, certification and crop loss reports, visit www.usda.gov. please contact your local FSA Renewable Energy County Office http://offices.usda. Incentives will resume this gov. summer for farmers, ranchers and Acreage Reporting forest landowners interested in Deadlines growing and harvesting biomass In order to comply with FSA National for renewable energy. The support program eligibility requirements comes through the Biomass Crop and avoid late file fees, all Agricultural Assistance Program (BCAP), producers are encouraged to visit which provides financial assistance their local County FSA office Statistics Service to establish and maintain new crops to file an accurate, timely crop (NASS) of energy biomass, or who harvest certification report. The following and deliver forest or agricultural acreage reporting dates apply for September Surveys residues to a qualifying energy producers in Arizona: The major surveys conducted are facility. the September Agricultural Survey November 15, 2015: Alfalfa, and the Off-Farm Grain Stocks Financial assistance is available Bermuda, other grasses, perennial Survey. These both begin August through BCAP for costs associated forage and Rangeland, this is for 31th and continue through mid- with harvesting and transporting the 2016 crop year. month. These surveys provide agriculture or forest residues to small grain production information facilities that convert biomass The following exceptions apply to and how much whole grain is in crops into energy. Eligible crops the above acreage reporting dates: storage as of September 1. In may include corn residue, diseased • If the crop has not been planted addition, we are enumerating for or insect infested wood materials, by the acreage reporting the quarterly Hog Report. The or orchard waste. The energy date, then the acreage must first Pecan production survey facility must first be approved by be reported no later than 15 begins later this month. The 2015 USDA to accept the biomass crop. calendar days after planting is Produce Post-Harvest Microbial Facilities can apply for, or renew, completed. Food Safety Practices survey will their BCAP qualification status • If a producer acquires be underway. beginning today. additional acreage after the acreage reporting date, then Reports and Publications Farmers, ranchers and forest the acreage must be reported landowners can also receive no later than 30 calendars days September 3 - financial assistance to grow after purchase or acquiring Dairy Products biomass crops that will be the lease. Appropriate converted into energy in selected documentation must be September 11 - BCAP project areas. New provided to the county office. Crop Production BCAP project area proposals • If a perennial forage crop is will be solicited beginning this reported with the intended August Arizona USDA Newsletter 3 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Desert Farmer Focuses on Soil Health to ARIZONA Improve on-farm Water Retention, Irrigation Efficiency That’s right Arizona... You’ve seen PROFILES IN these Profiles from all over the country, but here is the very first soil health one from Arizona!

Ed Curry, Curry Farms Visit our Soil Health page: Pearce, Arizona 2,200 acres http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/ Crops: Chili long green, Anaheim peppers portal/nrcs/main/az/soils/health/ (for seed), vegetables, alfalfa, cotton, beans Covers: Multi-species

(or http://go.usa.gov/36C5B)

Here you can read Mr. Ed Curry’s EdDesert Curry farmerof Curry Farms focuses in Pearce, Arizona says, “When we improved our soil health the last two years the one thing we have seen is the plants full Profile in Soil Health and ondon’t soil stress. health And we to have improve such capacity of water holding that we don’t watch his interview on YouTube on-farm water retention,have to water.” and find out how this innovative irrigation efficiency farmer has improved the health of ConservationEd Curry knows that water is a Connectionprecious, life-giving Newsletter is available! his soil even in the Arizona desert. Theresource. Arizona Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) hasAfter all,released he grows chili peppertheir seed, latest alfalfa, cotton newsletter. Visit their website at www.aznrcd.organd dry beans in a desert near Pearce, or clickAriz. Water, here and to view it. the need to use it wisely and efficiently, has led Curry To help promote soil health on their Pearce, Arizona Weekly Water and farm, the Curry’s plant cover crops like this center pivot- to focus his attention on another other life-giving irrigated field of tillage radishes. resource–the soil. Climate Update Through years of work, soils that typically had Getting his soil to function more effectively means he less than 1 percent of organic matter now have can irrigate more efficiently and hold on to whatever organic matter levels above 5 percent on Curry’s This weekly report uses data water may fall from the sky. The key to a better farm. It’s something that is “just about unheard of” and products from the National functioning soil, Curry said, is building organic matter in his area, he said, because most farmers plow, and improving soil health. which decreases soil organic matter, and reduces Water and Climate Center and the number of microorganisms living there. information provided by other agencies. The report focuses on United States Department of Agriculture USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Natural Resources Conservation Service current precipitation, seasonal snowpack, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.

Over the next three months, drought will persist or intensify over the far West. Drought remains, but is improving, in parts of eastern Nevada, Utah, Alaska, and Texas. Drought development is likely over the Northeast and the Southeast.

Visit http://go.usa.gov/3FGTY for According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, Arizona is projected to fare better than most of the West. the full report.

For more information, visit: www. wcc.nrcs.usda.gov

August Arizona USDA Newsletter 4 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer Risk will be available in select counties Don’t Miss Crop for apples, barley, corn, cotton, Insurance Deadlines Management grain sorghum, forage production, onions, potatoes and wheat for the The Sales Closing Date for Forage 2016 crop year. Grapefruit, lemons, Agency (RMA) Production is September 30, 2015. mandarins/tangerines, oranges, USDA Expands Crop and tangelos will be eligible for All multi-peril crop insurance, Insurance Options For coverage beginning with the 2017 including Catastrophic Coverage crop year. Fruit And Nut Producers (CAT) is available from private insurance agents. CAT coverage is Producers also have access to The U.S. Department of fixed at 50 percent of the insured’s new online tools designed to help Agriculture (USDA) announced approved yield and 55 percent them determine the options that the expansion of crop insurance of the price election. CAT is work best for their operations. The to provide additional options 100-percent subsidized with no Crop Insurance Decision Tool and for fruit and nut producers. The premium cost to the insured. There the SCO/APH Yield Exclusion Supplemental Coverage Option is, however, an administrative mapping tool, available online, (SCO) and the Actual Production fee of $300 per crop per county, provide farmers with information History (APH) Yield Exclusion regardless of the acreage. Higher on APH Yield Exclusion and SCO (YE) are now available to cover levels of coverage are subsidized at eligible crops, crop years, and fresh fruit and nuts in select lower rates, but in general, USDA counties where they may elect counties beginning with the 2016 pays at least 50 percent of the the programs. This user-friendly crop year. premium. A list of crop insurance resource can help producers agents is available on the RMA quickly explore and understand SCO is an area-based policy web site: http://www3.rma.usda. available coverage options. Users endorsement that can be purchased gov/tools/agents/, or visit the local will get general estimates to help to supplement an underlying crop county Farm Service Agency office them make purchasing decisions. insurance policy. It covers a portion for an agent listing. of losses not covered by the same Producers should consult their crop insurance agent for detailed crop’s underlying policy. The table below lists the Sales information, sales closing dates and Closing Dates and counties an actual premium quote. The APH Yield Exclusion allows where coverage is available for farmers, with qualifying crops in federally subsidized multi-peril A list of crop insurance agents eligible counties, to exclude low crop insurance. Insurance may is available at all USDA Service yields in exceptionally bad years be available in other counties Centers and online at the Risk (such as a year in which a natural by written agreement if specific Management Agency’s agent disaster or other extreme weather criteria are met. Contact an agent locator. Growers can use the occurs) from their production for more details. history when calculating yields agency’s cost estimator to get a used to establish their crop premium amount estimate of their insurance coverage. Crop years insurance needs online. Visit the are eligible when the average at www. per planted acreage yield for the rma.usda.gov/news/currentissues/ county was at least 50 percent aphye/index.html to learn more below the simple average for the about SCO and APH Yield previous 10 consecutive crop years. Exclusion. It will allow eligible producers to Crops Counties Sales Closing Date receive a higher approved yield on Forage Production Cochise, La Paz, September 30 their insurance policies through the Maricopa, Mohave, federal crop insurance program. Pinal and Yuma

SCO and APH Yield Exclusion

August Arizona USDA Newsletter 5 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer Rural Development (RD) Rural Broadband Rogers & Campbell Road, west institutions of higher education Access Loan and Loan of Campbell Road in Tucson. The • City or township governments Guaranteed being live course will also be available to • Nonprofits that do not have a anyone with an Internet connection, 501©(3) status with the IRS, offered by USDA RD so Arizona residents outside of other than institutions of higher Applications are being accepted Tucson can take advantage of this education through September 30 for the Rural great offering. • Federally recognized Native Development Rural Broadband American tribal governments Access Loan and Loan Guarantee For more information visit: • Special district governments Program. http://rurallandscapes.extension. • State governments arizona.edu/content/arizona- • Private institutions of higher The program provides financing energy-masters education to telecom providers in rural areas where traditional financing Economic Development The deadline for applications is not otherwise available for is October 5, 2015. For more construction, improvement Administration (EDA) offering funding for information on the FFO grant, and acquisition of facilities go to: http://www.grants.gov/ and equipment to provide regional innovation web/grants/view-opportunity. The U.S. Economic Development broadband service to eligible rural html?oppId=278198 communities. Administration (EDA) has announced that they are accepting More information on the program applications for the 2015 Regional and a link to a presentation on how Innovation Strategies Federal to apply are available at: Funding Opportunity (FFO). USDA is an equal opportunity http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs- services/farm-bill-broadband- Under the program, EDA is provider and employer. To file loans-loan-guarantees soliciting applications for two a complaint of discrimination, funding opportunities: write: USDA, Office of the (http://go.usa.gov/3FM3W) Assistant Secretary for Civil • The i6 Challenge, which Arizona Energy Masters funds organizations that help Rights, Office of Adjudication, Course begins October 8 innovators and entrepreneurs 1400 Independence Ave., SW, UA Cooperative Extension has turn innovations, ideas, Washington, DC 20250-9410 intellectual property, and announced the 2015 Arizona or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll- Energy Masters Course. According research into viable, sustainable to Mark Apel with Cooperative companies; and free Customer Service), (800) Extension, the Energy Masters • Seed Fund Support Grants 877-8339 (Local or Federal Program provides an overview of (previously called Cluster relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay Grants for Seed Capital Funds) energy in Arizona. Participants voice users). will learn about efficiency and how to fund regionally-focused seed to conduct energy audits in their capital funds that provide early- homes and community through stage capital to innovation- Questions? based startups with a potential a series of seven classes, starting Comments? October 8 and running through for high growth. November 24. Concerns? Eligible applicants include: Let us know! All classes will be held from [email protected] • County governments 6:00-8:00 pm at the Campus 602-280-8780 Agricultural Center, Rm 2006 at • Public and State controlled August Arizona USDA Newsletter 6 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer