ACRE and DCP Signup Deadline is Aug. 14

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AMHERST, Mass. — Richard Burke,  State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency in Massachusetts, reminds producers of the deadlines for enrolling in the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program or the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP). The deadline to enroll in ACRE or DCP for 2009 is August 14, 2009.

"It is critical for producers to begin the enrollment process as soon as possible," said Burke. "ACRE is an innovative alternative to the traditional farm safety net, but this new program comes with a complex signup process."  Burke advises producers to contact their local office right away to set up appointments well before the August 14, 2009 deadline.

Late-filed applications for ACRE or DCP will not be accepted. Producers should note also that ACRE elections will not be approved until all producers, including owners, on a farm have signed both election and enrollment forms.  If producers do not elect ACRE, they still have the option of enrolling in the DCP program by August 14, 2009.  Both ACRE and DCP require all signatures be obtained by the deadline.

Burke emphasized, "In all cases, it is the responsibility of the operator and owners of a farm to obtain and submit all necessary signatures on election and enrollment forms by the August 14, 2009 deadline."

Producers should also note that once they select ACRE for a farm, that decision irrevocably elects ACRE for the farm through crop year 2012. In that case, the ACRE contract form must be completed each year the producer intends to participate and receive benefits.

For more information about the ACRE program and an online ACRE Calculator, visit www.fsa.usda.gov  or contact your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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