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Farmers Have Extended Sign-Up Date For DCP And Acre Programs11:30AM / Wednesday, April 01, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - Thomas Smiarowski, Acting State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency in Massachusetts, announced today that USDA has extended the sign-up deadline from June 1, to Aug. 14, 2009, for both the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and the forthcoming Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program. This action extends the sign-up deadline by 10 weeks to give producers ample time to decide whether to participate in ACRE or remain in DCP.
"Extending the sign-up deadline for both these programs ensure that America's farmers have enough information and time needed to determine if ACRE is the right program for their operational needs," said Smiarowski. "The DCP and ACRE programs play a critical role in the farm safety net and it is vital that we act to support the hard work of the farmers we depend on."
Sign-up for ACRE is expected to start in late April, with an official sign-up announcement to be made in the coming weeks. Producers can elect ACRE at their FSA county office after the sign-up period commences. The original June 1 deadline may have forced producers to rush their decision, which is why this extension gives producers more time to make an informed decision about staying with DCP for 2009 or participating in ACRE for crop year 2009 and beyond through 2012.
The ACRE program, authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, provides eligible producers a state-level revenue guarantee, based on the 5-year state Olympic average yield and the 2-year national average price. ACRE payments are made when both state and farm-level triggers are met. By participating in ACRE, producers elect to forgo counter-cyclical payments, receive a 20-percent reduction in direct payments and a 30-percent reduction in loan rates. The decision to elect ACRE binds the farm to the program through the 2012 crop year, the last crop year covered by the 2008 Act.
For more information about ACRE, DCP and other price support programs, please visit your local FSA county office. In Berkshire County, MA the FSA Office is in the Silvio conte Federal Building in Pittsfield at 78 Center Street in room 208. You can also obtain information on-line at www.fsa.usda.gov. |
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