North Carolina FSA June 2014 Electronic Monthly Newsletter

USDA Announces Planting and harvesting fruits, participation in programs vegetables and wild rice on established by the 2014 Farm Bill Changes to Fruit, ARC/PLC acreage is subject to the will mean for their businesses. Vegetable and Wild Rice acre-for-acre payment reduction North Carolina State University Planting Rules when those crops are planted on receives $57,460. North Carolina either more than 15 percent of the A&T State University receives Farm Service Agency (FSA) base acres of a farm enrolled in $24,907. has announced fruit, vegetable and ARC using the county coverage or wild rice provisions that affect PLC, or more than 35 percent of The University of Illinois (lead the base acres of a farm enrolled in for the National Coalition for producers who intend to participate ARC using the individual coverage. Producer Education), along with in certain programs authorized by the Food and Agricultural Policy the Agricultural Act of 2014. Fruits, vegetables and wild rice Research Institute (FAPRI) at the that are planted in an approved University of Missouri and the double-cropping practice will not Agricultural and Food Policy Producers who intend to cause a payment reduction if the Center at Texas A&M (co-leads for participate in the Agriculture Risk farm is in a double-cropping region the National Association of Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss as designated by the USDA’s Agricultural and Food Policy), will Coverage (PLC) programs are Commodity Credit Corporation. receive a total of $3 million to subject to an acre-for-acre develop the new online tools and payment reduction when fruits and train state-based extension agents nuts, vegetables or wild rice are who can in turn help educate planted on the payment acres of a USDA Awarding $6 farmers. farm. Payment reductions do not Million to Prepare apply to mung beans, dry peas, Farmers for New Farm The new resources will help lentils or chickpeas. Planting fruits, farmers and ranchers make an vegetables or wild rice on acres Bill Programs educated choice between the new that are not considered payment Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) acres will not result in a payment USDA is awarding $6 million to program and the Price Loss reduction. Farms that are eligible universities and cooperative state Coverage (PLC) program. Using to participate in ARC/PLC but are extension services to develop the new online tools, producers will not enrolled for a particular year online decision tools and other be able to use data unique to their may plant unlimited fruits, materials and train experts to specific farming operations vegetables and wild rice for that educate producers about several combined with factors like the year but will not receive ARC/PLC key farm bill programs. The new geographical diversity of crops, payments for that year. Eligibility Web tools will help farmers and soils, weather and climates across for succeeding years is not ranchers determine what affected.

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the country to test a variety of guarantees, and PLC payment rate program. TAP provides financial financial scenarios before officially projections. These tables are assistance to qualifying orchardists signing up for the new program available on the FSA website. and nursery tree growers to replant options later this year. Once a or rehabilitate eligible trees, producer enrolls in the ARC or PLC Visit www.fsa.usda.gov or the bushes and vines damaged by program, he or she must remain in local FSA office for information natural disasters. the program through the 2018 crop about FSA and the 2014 Farm Bill year. programs. Eligible tree types include trees, bushes or vines that produce New tools will be provided for Save Time Make an an annual crop for commercial other programs as well. Sign-up for purposes. Nursery trees include the newly established Margin Appointment with FSA ornamental, fruit, nut and

Protection Program for Dairy Christmas trees that are produced As we roll out the Farm Bill (MPP) begins late this summer and for commercial sale. Trees used for enrollment for "buy-up" provisions programs administered by FSA, pulp or timber are ineligible. under the Noninsured Crop there will be related signups and in Disaster Assistance Program some cases multiple management To qualify for TAP, orchardists (NAP) will begin early next year. decisions that need to be made by must suffer a qualifying tree, bush An online MPP tool will be you, the producer, in consult with or vine loss in excess of 15 percent available when sign up begins and mortality from an eligible natural FSA staff. To insure maximum use the NAP buy-up provision resource disaster. The eligible trees, bushes will become available to producers of your time and to insure that you or vines must have been owned in the fall for the 2015 crop year. are afforded our full attention to when the natural disaster occurred; your important business needs, however, eligible growers are not USDA will also award $3 million please call our office ahead of your required to own the land on which to state cooperative extension visit to set an appointment and to the eligible trees, bushes and vines were planted. services—a nationwide network of discuss any records or experts based at land-grant documentation that you may need universities—for outreach and If the TAP application is education on the new Farm Bill to have with you when you arrive approved, the eligible trees, programs. Funds will be used to for your appointment. For local bushes and vines must be conduct public education outreach FSA Service Center contact replaced within 12 months from the meetings where producers can information, please visit: date the application is approved. speak with local extension agents The cumulative total quantity of and Farm Service Agency (FSA) http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/loca acres planted to trees, bushes or staff. Outreach meetings will begin tor/app . vines, for which a producer can late this summer to help farmers receive TAP payments, cannot and ranchers understand the new USDA Farm Service exceed 500 acres annually. programs and their options. Agency Announces Tree USDA Kicks off the 2014 While universities work to Assistance Program create new online tools, producers (TAP) Sign-Up "Feds Feed Families" now have access to a preliminary Nationwide Food Drive website that gives them a chance As of Tuesday, April 15, 2014, to begin familiarizing themselves The food drive is an annual orchardists and nursery tree with the new programs and the event in which Federal employees, growers who experienced losses type of information they will need to nationwide, collect food for from natural disasters that consider when deciding which distribution by food banks, food occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011, program options work better for pantries, and shelters. can sign up for the Tree Assistance them. At this site, farmers and Program (TAP). TAP was ranchers can view ARC and PLC The Feds Feed Families authorized by the Agricultural Act projected payments, ARC program started in 2009. The 2014 of 2014 as a permanent disaster USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2

food drive officially began on June including native and improved 2 and will run through August 27. For the latest on 2014 Farm Bill grassland intended for haying. programs administered by FSA, All Federal agencies across the please visit our Farm Bill website at Producers considered socially country participate in the campaign www.fsa.usda.gov/farmbill and for disadvantaged, a beginning farmer and Federal employees are asked an FSA program overview please or rancher, or a limited resource to donate non-perishable food read, download and/or print our farmer may be eligible for SURE items throughout the summer. recently posted FSA Farm Bill Fact without a policy or plan of Donations are given to local food Sheet titled, What’s in the 2014 insurance or Noninsured Crop banks across the country – having Farm Bill for Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance Program a positive impact to help food Customers? coverage. banks address food insecurity. Secretary Vilsack noted that the For more information on FSA, latest USDA estimates show that in please contact your local USDA Farmers and ranchers 2012, food insecurity affected 14.5 Service Center or visit us online at interested in signing up must do so percent of American households at www.fsa.usda.gov. before the Aug. 29, 2014, deadline. some point. Note: A producer who only For more information on the If you are interested in making plants fall seeded or spring seeded 2012 SURE program, visit any a donation to the annual "Feds crops with a final planting date on USDA Service Center or online at Feed Families" Food Drive, please Oct. 1, 2011 or later) cannot meet www.fsa.usda.gov/sure. contact your local USDA Service the above eligibility criteria and will Center. not be eligible for the 2012 SURE program. AskFSA For more information on the Feds Feed Families campaign, • A policy or plan of insurance Are you looking for answers to please visit: under the Federal Crop your FSA questions? Then ASK http://www.usda.gov/fedsfeedfamili Insurance Act or the Noninsured FSA at askfsa.custhelp.com. es. Crop Disaster Assistance Program for all economically AskFSA is an online resource significant crops; USDA’s Farm Service that helps you easily find

Agency (FSA) Offers information and answers to your • Been physically located in a Farm Bill Website and FSA questions no matter where county that was declared a you are or what device you use. It Online Overview of Farm primary disaster county or is for ALL customers, including Bill Programs contiguous county by the underserved farmers and ranchers Secretary of Agriculture under a who wish to be enrolled in FSA Secretarial Disaster Designation. loans, farm, and conservation The Agricultural Act of 2014 Without a Secretarial Disaster programs. Designation, individual producers (the Act), also known as the 2014 may be eligible if the actual Farm Bill, was signed by President Through AskFSA you can: production on the farm is less Obama on Feb. 7, 2014. The Act than 50 percent of the normal • Access our knowledge base 24/7 repeals certain programs, production on the farm due to a • Receive answers to your continues some programs with natural disaster. A “farm” for questions faster SURE purposes means the modifications, and authorizes • entirety of all crop acreage in all Submit a question and receive a several new programs timely response from an FSA administered by the Farm Service counties that a producer planted or intended to be planted for expert Agency (FSA). Most of these • harvest for normal commercial Get notifications when answers programs are authorized and sale or on-farm livestock feeding, important to you and your funded through 2018. farming operation are updated

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• Customize your account settings • Elimination of loan term limits and view responses at any time for guaranteed operating loans.

• Modification of the definition of Livestock Disaster Hay NET beginning farmer, using the Assistance Sign-Up

Underway Producers are encouraged to • average farm size for the use Hay Net on the FSA website county as a qualifier instead of (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/haynet). the median farm size. Livestock disaster program This online service allows enrollment opened on April 15, producers with hay and those who • Modification of the Joint 2014. These disaster programs are need hay to post ads so they can Financing Direct Farm authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill make connections. Hay Net is a Ownership Interest Rate to 2 as permanent programs and popular site for farmers and percent less than regular Direct provide retroactive authority to ranchers who have an emergency Farm Ownership rate, with a cover losses that occurred on or need. Individual ads can be posted floor of 2.5 percent. Previously, after Oct. 1, 2011. free of charge by producers who the rate was established at 5 complete a simple online percent. To expedite applications, all registration form the first time they producers who experienced losses use the site. • Increase of the maximum loan are encouraged to bring records amount for Direct Farm documenting those losses to their local FSA Office. Producers should Ownership down payments from $225,000 to $300,000. record all pertinent information of New Farm Bill Offers natural disaster consequences, Increased Opportunities • Elimination of rural residency including: for Producers requirement for Youth Loans, allowing urban youth to benefit. • Documentation of the number The 2014 Farm Bill offers and kind of livestock that have increased opportunities for • Debt forgiveness on Youth died, supplemented if possible by producers including farm loan Loans, which will not prevent photographs or video records of program modifications that create borrowers from obtaining ownership and losses flexibility for new and existing additional loans from the • Dates of death supported by birth farmers. A fact sheet outlining federal government. recordings or purchase receipts modifications to the U.S. • Costs of transporting livestock to Department of Agriculture’s • Increase of the guarantee safer grounds or to move animals (USDA) Farm Service Agency amount on Conservation Loans to new pastures (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is from 75 to 80 percent and 90 • Feed purchases if supplies or available here. percent for socially grazing pastures are destroyed disadvantaged borrowers and • Crop records, including seed and The Farm Bill expands lending beginning farmers. fertilizer purchases, planting and opportunities for thousands of production records farmers and ranchers to begin and • Microloans will not count continue operations, including toward loan term limits for Eligible producers can sign-up greater flexibility in determining veterans and beginning for the following livestock disaster eligibility, raising loan limits, and farmers. assistance programs: emphasizing beginning and socially disadvantaged producers. Additional modifications must Livestock Forage Disaster Program be implemented through the (LFP): Changes that will take effect rulemaking processes. Visit the immediately include: FSA Farm Bill website for detailed LFP provides compensation to information and updates to farm eligible livestock producers that loan programs. have suffered grazing losses due USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 4

to drought on privately owned or payment must be submitted by LDPs are not available for sugar cash leased land or fire on November 1, 2014. and extra-long staple cotton. federally managed land. Eligible producers must physically be For more information, The 2014 Farm Bill also located in a county affected by a producers can review the LFP, LIP establishes payment limitations per qualifying drought during the and ELAP Fact Sheets on the individual or entity not to exceed normal grazing period for the Farm Bill webpage. Producers are $125,000 annually on certain county. Producers who suffered encouraged to make an commodities for the following eligible grazing losses should appointment with their local FSA program benefits: price loss submit a completed CCC-853 and office to apply for these programs. coverage payments, agriculture supporting documentation by risk coverage payments, marketing January 30, 2015. loan gains (MLGs) and LDPs. USDA Prepares to Accept These payment limitations do not Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): apply to MAL loan disbursements. MAL and LDP Requests; LIP provides compensation to Sets 2014 MAL Loan Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) eligible livestock producers that Rates provisions were modified by the have suffered livestock death 2014 Farm Bill, which states that a losses in excess of normal The USDA Farm Service producer whose total applicable mortality due to adverse weather Agency (FSA) will begin accepting three-year average AGI exceeds and attacks by animals requests for marketing assistance $900,000 is not eligible to receive reintroduced into the wild by the loans (MALs) and loan deficiency an MLG or LDP. federal government or protected by payments (LDPs) for eligible 2014 federal law. Producers who commodities. National and county loans rates suffered livestock death losses for 2014 crops are posted on the should submit a notice of loss and MALs and LDPs for the 2014 FSA website at: an application for payment to their crop year become available to www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport. local FSA office by January 30, eligible producers beginning with 2015. harvest/shearing season and For more information, please visit a extending through a specific nearby USDA Service Center or Emergency Assistance for commodity’s final loan availability FSA’s website www.fsa.usda.gov. Livestock, Honeybees and Farm- date. Sugar commodity loans for Raised Fish Program (ELAP) the 2014 crop will be available to FSA will provide producers with sugar processors beginning Oct. 1, information on program ELAP provides emergency 2014. requirements, updates and sign-ups assistance to eligible producers of as the information becomes livestock, honeybees and farm- MALs and LDPs provide available. raised fish that have losses due to financing and marketing assistance disease, adverse weather, or other for wheat, feed grains, soybeans, conditions, such as blizzards and and other oilseeds, pulse crops, wildfires. ELAP assistance is rice, peanuts, cotton, wool, mohair USDA Announces the provided for losses not covered by and honey. MALs provide Extension of the Milk LFP and LIP. Producers who producers interim financing after Income Loss Contract suffered eligible livestock, harvest to help them meet cash honeybee or farm-raised fish flow needs without having to sell Program for 2014 losses during 2012 and 2013 their commodities when market The USDA Farm Service program years must submit a prices are typically at harvest-time Agency (FSA) recently announced notice of loss and application for lows. A producer who is eligible to the extension of the Milk Income payment to their local FSA office obtain a loan, but agrees to forgo Loss Contract (MILC) program by August 1, 2014. For 2014 the loan, may obtain an LDP if which protects dairy farmers against program year losses, the notice of such a payment is available. income loss through Sept. 1, 2014, loss and an application for Marketing loan provisions and

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or until a new Margin Protection of dairy products when they are “cover only,” “green manure,” “left Program for dairy producers (MPP) directed to remove their raw milk or standing,” or “seed,” then the is operational. products from the market because acreage must be reported by July Contracts for eligible producers of contamination. 15th. enrolled in MILC on or before Sept. 30, 2013, are automatically Noninsured Crop Disaster extended until the termination date 2014 Acreage Reporting Assistance Program (NAP) policy of the MILC program. Dairy holders should note that the operations with approved MILC Dates acreage reporting date for NAP contracts will continue to receive covered crops is the earlier of the In order to comply with FSA monthly payments if a payment rate dates listed above or 15 calendar program eligibility requirements, all is in effect. days before grazing or harvesting producers are encouraged to visit of the crop begins. the local County FSA office to file MILC compensates enrolled an accurate crop certification report dairy producers when the Boston For questions regarding crop by the applicable deadline. Class I milk price falls below $16.94 certification and crop loss reports, per hundredweight (cwt), after please contact your local County The following acreage reporting adjustment for the cost of dairy feed FSA office. dates are applicable county: rations. MILC payments are County: calculated each month using the latest milk price and feed cost, just Highly Erodible Land and as in the 2008 Farm Bill. The May 15, 2014: Cabbage PP1, payment rate for October 2013 Fresh Market Beans PP1, Potatoes Wetland Compliance through January 2014 marketings is July 15, 2014: CRP, Tobacco, zero. Payment rates during the Corn, Cotton, Soybeans, Peanuts, Landowners and operators are months after January 2014 until the Processing Beans, and all other reminded that in order to receive termination of the MILC program crops and land uses payments from USDA, they must will be determined as the September 15, 2014: be compliant with Highly Erodible Cabbage PP2, Beans PP2, appropriate data becomes Land (HEL) and Wetland available. Squash PP2, Cucumbers PP2 September 30, 2014: Aquaculture Conservation (WC) provisions.

Producers who want to select a Farmers with HEL determined different production start month The following exceptions apply soils must apply tillage, crop must visit their local FSA office to the above acreage reporting between April 14, 2014, and May dates: residue and rotation requirements 30, 2014. as specified in their conservation • If the crop has not been planted plan. FSA will provide producers with by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be information on program Producers should notify FSA reported no later than 15 calendar requirements, updates and sign-ups prior to conducting land clearing or days after planting is completed. as the information becomes drainage projects to ensure available. compliance. If you intend to clear • If a producer acquires additional any trees to create new cropland, Dairy Indemnity Payment acreage after the above acreage these areas will need to be reporting date, then the acreage reviewed to ensure any work will Program must be reported no later than 30 not jeopardize your eligibility for calendars days after purchase or benefits. The 2014 Farm Bill authorized acquiring the lease. Appropriate the extension of the Dairy documentation must be provided to Landowners and operators can Indemnity Payment Program the county office. complete form AD-1026 Highly (DIPP) through September 30, Erodible Land Conservation 2018. DIPP provides payments to • If a perennial forage crop is (HELC) and Wetland Conservation dairy producers and manufacturers reported with the intended use of USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 6

(WC) Certification to determine security, such as a lien on real FSA will begin accepting MALs whether a referral to Natural estate. Now loans up to $100,000 and applications for LDPs on the Resources Conservation Service can be secured by only a 2014 wool crop immediately. FSA (NRCS) is necessary. promissory note. will accept MAL/LDP requests for honey (produced and extracted) For more information on Highly The low-interest funds can be starting April 1, 2014. MAL/LDP Erodible Land and Wetland used to build or upgrade requests for all other eligible Conservation provisions, contact a permanent facilities to store commodities can be made after FSA County Office or visit the FSA commodities. Eligible commodities harvest. Sugar MALs will be website at www.fsa.usda.gov. include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, available beginning October 1, pulse crops, hay, honey, 2014. renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables. Qualified USDA Enhances Farm facilities include grain bins, hay Maintaining the Quality of Storage Facility Loan barns and cold storage facilities for Loaned Grain Program fruits and vegetables.

Bins are ideally designed to Contact your local FSA office or The U.S. Department of hold a level volume of grain. When visit www.fsa.usda.gov for more Agriculture (USDA) today bins are overfilled and grain is about FSA programs and loans, announced the expansion of the heaped up, airflow is hindered and including the Farm Storage Facility Farm Storage and Facility Loan the chance of spoilage increases. program, which provides low- Loan Program. interest financing to producers. Producers who take out The enhanced program includes marketing assistance loans and use 22 new categories of eligible Marketing Assistance the farm-stored grain as collateral equipment for fruit and vegetable Loans (MALs) should remember that they are producers. responsible for maintaining the Short-term financing is quality of the grain through the term Producers with small and mid- available by obtaining low interest of the loan. sized operations, and specialty commodity loans for eligible crop fruit and vegetable growers, harvested production. A nine- now have access to needed capital month Marketing Assistance Loan for a variety of supplies including Unauthorized Disposition provides financing that allows of Grain sorting bins, wash stations and producers to store production for other food safety-related later marketing. The crop may be equipment. A new more flexible If loan grain has been disposed stored on the farm or in the of through feeding, selling or any alternative is also provided for warehouse. determining storage needs for fruit other form of disposal without prior written authorization from the and vegetable producers, and Loans are available for waivers are available on a case-by- county office staff, it is considered producers who share in the risk of unauthorized disposition. The case basis for disaster assistance producing the eligible commodity or insurance coverage if available financial penalties for unauthorized and maintain beneficial interest in dispositions are severe and a products are not relevant or the crop through the duration of the feasible for a particular producer. producer’s name will be placed on a loan. Beneficial interest means loan violation list for a two-year retaining the ability to make Additionally, Farm Storage and period. Always call before you haul decisions about the commodity, any grain under loan. Facility Loans security responsibility for loss because of requirements have been eased for damage to the commodity and title loans between $50,000 and to the commodity. Once beneficial $100,000. Previously, all loans in interest in a commodity is lost, it is excess of $50,000 required a ineligible for a loan, even if you promissory note and additional regain beneficial interest. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 7

Direct Loan Changes This policy change will allow lenders more flexibility and a faster Microloan Program Changes were made to the The Farm Service Agency (FSA) underwriting process, and is interest rate charged on loans developed the Microloan (ML) consistent with industry standards. where FSA provides 50 percent or program to better serve the unique less on jointly financed purchases financial operating needs of Lenders must follow their of real estate also called Direct beginning, niche and small family regulator’s “Interagency Appraisal Farm Ownership Participation farm operations. and Evaluation Guidelines” and Loans. The interest rate will be the apply these same policies to FSA greater of 2.5 percent or the FSA offers applicants a guaranteed loans as non- current interest rate for direct Farm Microloan designed to help farmers guaranteed loans. In addition, Ownership loans minus 2 percent, with credit needs of $35,000 or lenders should request an as a fixed rate for the duration of less. The loan features a appraisal when they would do so the loan. At present, the April streamlined application process for unguaranteed loans even if the direct Farm Ownership rate is 4.00 built to fit the needs of new and loan is under the threshold, such percent. Because the 2.5 percent smaller producers. This loan as when the expected loan-to- floor is greater than subtracting 2 program will also be useful to value is above their established percent from the current direct farm specialty crop producers and standards. ownership loan rate, the rate for operators of community supported

Direct Farm Ownership agriculture (CSA). A description of the method of Participation Loans in April is 2.50 establishing the real estate value – percent. Eligible applicants can apply for whether appraisal or evaluation – a maximum amount of $35,000 to needs to be described to FSA in pay for initial start-up expenses Guaranteed Loan the lender's loan narrative. such as hoop houses to extend the Eligibility growing season, essential tools,

irrigation and annual expenses Changes to FSA regulations have Guaranteed Loan removed Guaranteed Operating such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, term limits. Previous and current Program land rents, marketing, and guaranteed loan borrowers who distribution expenses. As financing were not eligible for further The Farm Service Agency loan needs increase, applicants can guaranteed loans due to the limit for the Guaranteed Loan apply for a regular operating loan previous 15 year eligibility term Program is $1,355,000. The limit is up to the maximum amount of limit may now be eligible for further adjusted annually based on data $300,000 or obtain financing from guaranteed loans through their compiled by the National a commercial lender under FSA’s commercial lender. Agricultural Statistics Service. Guaranteed Loan Program.

The maximum combined Individuals who are interested FSA Allows Lenders to guaranteed and direct farm loan in applying for a microloan or Use Evaluations Instead indebtedness is $1,655,000. would like to discuss other farm of Appraisals for Loans loan programs available should As a reminder, the one-time loan contact their local FSA office to set of $250,000 or Less origination fee charged on FSA up an appointment with a loan guaranteed farm ownership and official. Lenders that originate Farm operating loans is 1.5 percent of Service Agency (FSA) guaranteed the guaranteed portion of the loan. loans may now use internal real Beginning Farmer Loans estate “collateral evaluations” to Producers should contact their FSA assists beginning farmers support loan requests of $250,000 local FSA County Offices with to finance agricultural enterprises. or less, rather than appraisals. questions about farm loans. Under these designated farm loan

programs, FSA can provide

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financing to eligible applicants because of his or her identity as through either direct or guaranteed members of the group without loans. FSA defines a beginning regard to his or her individual Sponsors are organizations farmer as a person who: qualities. that manage SFSP feeding sites. Sponsors must be organizations For purposes of this program, that are fully capable of managing . Has operated a farm for not socially disadvantaged groups are a food service program. To be a more than 10 years women, African Americans, . Will materially and substantially American Indians, Alaskan sponsor, you must follow participate in the operation of Natives, Hispanics, Asian regulations and be responsible, the farm Americans and Pacific Islanders. financially and administratively, for . Agrees to participate in a loan running your program. assessment, borrower training FSA loans are only available to and financial management applicants who meet all the The following types of program sponsored by FSA eligibility requirements and are organizations can be sponsors: . Does not own a farm in excess unable to obtain the needed credit of 30 percent of the county’s elsewhere. • Public or private nonprofit average size farm. schools

USDA Seeks Sponsors • Units of local, municipal, Additional program information, county, tribal, or State loan applications, and other For Summer Food government materials are available at your local Service Program (SFSP) • Private nonprofit organizations USDA Service Center. You may • Public or private nonprofit also visit www.fsa.usda.gov. The Summer Food Service camps Program (SFSP) is looking for • Public or private nonprofit sponsors to ensure that low- universities or colleges Loans for the Socially income children continue to receive Disadvantaged nutritious meals when school is not A sponsor may prepare its own in session. SFSP is administered meals, purchase meals through an FSA has a number of loan by the Food and Nutrition Service programs available to assist agreement with an area school, or (FNS), an agency of the United applicants to begin or continue in contract for meals with a food States Department of Agriculture agriculture production. Loans are service management company (USDA). available for operating type loans (vendor). and/or purchase or improve farms SFSP reimburses approved or ranches. For questions or to apply, sponsors for serving meals that please contact Josephine Ciolione While all qualified producers meet Federal nutritional guidelines. at 919-707-5799 or visit are eligible to apply for these loan Sponsors receive payments from http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/sum programs, the FSA has provided USDA based on the number of mer-food-service-program-sfsp. priority funding for members of meals they serve. All meals are socially disadvantaged applicants. served free to eligible children, who are 18 years old and under at A socially disadvantaged applicant is one of a group whose approved SFSP sites in areas with members have been subjected to significant concentrations of low- racial, ethnic or gender prejudice income children.

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Selected Interest Rates for Dates to Remember Independence Day Holiday June 2014 July 4 (offices closed) 90-Day Treasury Bill 0.125% July 15 Final Date to Report Most Farm Operating - Direct 2.25% Spring and Summer Crops Farm Ownership - Direct 4.00% Farm Ownership - Direct Down Payment, 1.50% Beginning Farmer or Rancher Emergency Loans 3.125% Farm Storage Facility Loans (7 years) 2.25% Commodity Loans 1996-Present 1.125%

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