News Digest
Annual acreage reports due to FSA by July 15
The Sheboygan County Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers to submit their annual acreage report to their local FSA county office by July 15 to meet FSA program eligibility requirements.
“Producers must file their reports accurately and timely for all crops and land uses, including prevented and failed acreage, to ensure they receive the maximum FSA program benefits possible,” said Sis Dueholm, county director for Sheboygan FSA.
Accurate acreage reports are necessary to determine and maintain eligibility for various programs, such as the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program and newer programs authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Programs include the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE), Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE), Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), Tree Assistance Program (TAP), and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
Acreage reports are considered timely filed when completed by the applicable final crop reporting deadline of July 15. Prevented acreage must be reported within 15 calendar days after the final planting date. Failed acreage must be reported before the disposition of the crop. NAP crops that are harvested prior to July 15 must report by the earlier of July 15, 2010 or 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing. Producers should contact their county FSA office if they are uncertain about reporting deadlines.
Late-filed provisions may be available to producers who are unable to meet the reporting deadline as required. Reports filed after the established deadline must meet certain requirements to be accepted and may be charged late fees.
Producers should contact the Sheboygan County FSA office to schedule a crop reporting appointment after all crops are planted. If you have any questions on this or any FSA program, including specific crop reporting deadlines and planting dates, please contact the Sheboygan County FSA Office at 920-467-9917 ext 2. More information on FSA programs is at: www.fsa.usda.gov.
Master Gardeners plan June garden trip
The Sheboygan County Master Gardeners welcome any garden enthusiast to join them June 26 for a bus trip to Green Lake and Oshkosh horticultural destinations.
The morning stop will be Bloch’s Farm and Greenhouse in Green Lake, which was voted one of the top 100 garden centers in the U.S. This family business was established in 1986 and has grown from an organic farm market to one of Wisconsin’s most sophisticated garden centers. Bloch’s Farm offers an abundance of annuals, perennials, window boxes, native plants, hanging baskets, and herbs. Stroll through the grounds filled with display gardens, statuary, and charming gifts for every gardener. There will be a tour and time for shopping.
Crashes claimed 54 in state in April
In April, 54 people died in 51 Wisconsin traffic crashes, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Traffic fatalities in April were nine more than in April 2009 and three more than the five-year average for the month of April. In terms of traffic deaths, the safest month of April since World War II occurred in 1998 with 34 fatalities. The deadliest month of April occurred in 1973 with 113 fatalities.
As of April 30, a total of 129 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes during 2010, including 16 motorcyclists, 13 pedestrians and one bicyclist. Traffic deaths through April were 10 fewer than during the same period in 2009 and 53 fewer than the five-year average.
