06/14/07 FSA deadlines

With spring rapidly turning to summer, and with farmers very busy in the field its time to remind Idaho ag producers that they face an important deadline in just a couple of weeks. HAMMON "As soon as they get the crops in they need to visit their FSA office and file their annual report. Producers who participate have done this every year so it should come as no surprise but we really need to see every farmer before June 30th." Wayne Hammon of the Farm Service Agency says they have to be able to verify government subsidies. HAMMON-"Without that crop report we can't issue payments. Even if all their contracts are signed and the work done without that crop report we can't actually issue the payment." Producers who are signing the annual contract for the direct counter cyclical program have a time extension until August first. However, says Hammon. HAMMON "This year when they come in to do those contracts it might take a little longer than normal because we're being very careful to try to make sure that we catch everybody and make sure everything is all right." Notices have gone out to what ag producers are left in Ada and Kootenai counties, two of Idaho most urbanized areas. FSA offices in both of those counties will close August 31st. Kootenai farmers will have to go to the FSA office in Plummer after that while Ada County will be served out of the Canyon County office in Caldwell. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott