SPOKANE, June 18, 2015 – Farmers who elected either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) still have another step to complete participation in these new Farm Bill programs according to Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Judy Olson. Program enrollment runs through September 30, 2015 at county Farm Service Agency offices.

 
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United States Department of Agriculture
 Farm Service Agency
United States Department of Agriculture
 Farm Service Agency
Washington
Washington

Farm Service Agency State Director Encourages Appointments for ARC/PLC Enrollment

For Immediate Release
June 18, 2015

Contact:
Gerri Richter
Program Specialist
Gerri.richter@wa.usda.gov
509-323-3016

SPOKANE, June 18, 2015 – Farmers who elected either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) still have another step to complete participation in these new Farm Bill programs according to Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Judy Olson. Program enrollment runs through September 30, 2015 at county Farm Service Agency offices.

"These complex programs involved a number of steps: updating bases and yields, then electing a program. Enrollment is yet another step and some producers may think that once they elected the program they are done," said Olson. "They may soon be focused on harvest and not complete this necessary step before the deadline. September 30 is also the end of the government’s fiscal year so missing the deadline could cause complications for producers who might be expecting a payment."

Olson encouraged farmers to make appointments to visit FSA offices before getting engrossed with harvest, or to make appointments now for when harvest is complete. “FSA county staff will be extremely busy all summer, helping producers enroll in the programs. Appointments will be necessary. If producers have had farm or lease changes, since election – the office visit could be lengthy."

Producers can expect to receive letters which will confirm program choices and base and yields. The Farm Service Agency has started the process of generating and sending the letter nationwide.

The new programs, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, trigger financial protections for agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues. More than 10,000 producers in Washington elected ARC or PLC.

Covered commodities under ARC and PLC include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

To learn more, farmers can contact their local Farm Service Agency county office. To find your local office visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/wa.

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