Attention Montana Livestock Producers!

Deadlines have been established for the 2017 and 2018 disaster programs with USDA Farm Service Agency!

If your operation experienced abnormal livestock deaths and feed losses due to eligible adverse weather events in 2017 and 2018 and you haven’t yet completed your application(s), contact your local FSA office ASAP before the following program deadlines.

2017 Livestock Indemnity Program

Dec. 3, 2018:  Application for Payment deadline for the 2017 Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). A notice of loss must be filed with the local FSA office by the later of 30 calendar days of when the loss was apparent to the owner or Dec. 3, 2018.

2017 & 2018 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees & Farm-Raised Fish Program:

Dec. 3, 2018: 2017 and 2018 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees & Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) Notice of Loss and Application for Payment Deadline

2018 Livestock Indemnity Program:

March 1, 2019:  Application for Payment deadline for the 2018 Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). A notice of loss must be filed with the local FSA office by the later of 30 calendar days of when the loss was apparent to the owner or Dec. 3, 2018.

Lead Your FSA: 2018 FSA County Committee Election – Vote Today!

Elections are taking place now for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. Eligible voters started receiving ballots the week of Nov. 5, 2018.

Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Farmers and ranchers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, may also be eligible to vote.

County committees are unique to FSA and serve as a direct link between agricultural communities across the country and USDA. Stop by your local FSA office to learn about the candidates running in your area or look for information in your local FSA GovDelivery monthly electronic bulletin. Not receiving our emails? Sign up today!

Make your vote count! All ballots must be returned to your local FSA office, or postmarked no later than, Dec. 3, 2018.

For more information on FSA county committees, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

• Nov. 5: County Committee Election Ballots will be mailed to Eligible Voters

• Nov. 12: All Hay Bales Must be Removed from Managed Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

• Nov. 15: 2019 Acreage Reporting Deadline for Apiculture, Perennial Forage, Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) including Native Grass, Fall Wheat (Hard Red Winter), and all other Fall-Seeded Small Grains. Please note that this is the final date that FSA can accept late-filed 2018 reports for these crops.

• Nov. 16: Last day of 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP) Signup

• Dec. 1: 2019 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP) Application Closing Date for Honey Producers

• Dec. 3: Last Day to Return Voted County Committee Election Ballots to local FSA Offices

• Dec. 3:  Application for Payment deadline for the 2017 Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). A notice of loss must be filed with the local FSA office by the later of 30 calendar days of when the loss was apparent to the owner or Dec 3, 2018.

• Dec. 3: 2017 and 2018 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees & Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) Notice of Loss and Application for Payment Deadline

• Tree Assistance Program: Deadline for 2017 and subsequent years Tree Assistance Program (TAP) Application for Payment and Supporting Documentation is the later Dec. 3, 2018 or within 90 calendar days of the disaster event or the date when the loss was apparent to the producer.

• Jan. 1: Newly elected FSA County Committee Members Take Office

• Jan. 2: 2019 Acreage Reporting Deadline for Honey covered under NAP (or 30 days after placement of colonies.) Please note that this is the final date that FSA can accept late-filed 2018 reports for Honey covered under NAP.

• Jan. 15: Marketing Facilitation Program Signup Deadline for Corn, Cotton, Dairy, Hogs, Sorghum, Soybean, Fresh Sweet Cherries, Shelled Almonds and Wheat Producers.

• Jan. 15: 2019 Acreage Reporting Deadline for Established Stand Alfalfa Seed, Fall Alfalfa Seed and Cherries. Please note that this is the final date that FSA can accept late-filed 2018 reports for these crops.

• Jan. 30: Deadline for 2018 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) Application for Payment and Supporting Documentation for Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders County Livestock Producers.

• Feb. 1: Final Availability Date for Loans and Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) for 2018 Mohair, Unshorn Pelts (LDP only) and Wool

• March 1:  Application for Payment deadline for the 2018 Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). A notice of loss must be filed with the local FSA office by the later of 30 calendar days of when the loss was apparent to the owner or Dec. 3, 2018.

• March 15: 2019 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) Application Closing Date for Spring Crops (except spring seeded, rye, speltz, triticale, wheat and mixed forage)

• March 16: 2019 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Spring Managed Grazing Period Begins (with prior County Committee written approval)

• April 1: Final availability date for Loans and LDPs for 2018 Barley, Canola, Crambe, Flaxseed, Honey, Oats, Rapeseed, Wheat and Sesame Seed

For more information, contact your local FSA office and/or visit Montana FSA online at www.farmers.gov.

Are you interested in a Farm Loan through USDA Farm Service Agency?

• Your Guide to FSA Farm Loans was designed for new loan customers.
• Your FSA Farm Loan Compass was developed for current farm loan customers.

For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dafl, https://newfarmers.usda.gov/ or contact your local FSA office at http://offices.usda.gov.

Conducting Business with FSA Electronically

With a USDA Customer Level 2 eAuth Account you can have one stop access to your USDA program participation information.

• Learn how to create a Level 2 eAuth Account (pdf)
• eAuth Guide of Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

Visit the Online Services page for apps:

• FSAfarm+
• Financial Services
• eForms

Montana Natural Disaster Designations - FSA Emergency Loans

The following map outline the Montana counties with USDA Disaster Designation Declarations. Producers have eight months from the date of the designation to apply for an Emergency Loan with FSA. For questions about eligibility and/or to apply for an Emergency Loan, contact your local FSA office to schedule an appointment with the Farm Loan Program staff serving your area.

Cumulative Disaster Designation Map

Intertribal Agriculture Council Informational Sheet

FSA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) have developed an information sheet for Indian operators on Indian Trust Lands. For more information, visit http://www.indianaglink.com/.

FOIA/PRIVACY ACT REQUESTS

To submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and/or a Privacy Act request regarding Montana FSA records, you may contact the record keeping FSA state or/and county office. For questions on FOIA inquiries with Montana FSA, contact FOIA Officer Jennifer Cole at (406) 654.1333, ext. 117 or jennifer.cole@mt.usda.gov.

WEBMASTER

For questions regarding the Montana FSA Website, email the Webmaster at jennifer.cole@mt.usda.gov or call (406) 654.1333, ext. 117.