IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• NAP APPLICATION FOR COVERAGE DEADLINE - 
  • Triticale - September 1, 2023
  • Alfalfa and Grass - December 1, 2023
• 2023 LIVESTOCK FORAGE PROGRAM or LFP – Kiowa County eligible – deadline to apply January 30, 2024. 
• CRP Non-Emergency Haying and Grazing Available (excluding CRP Grassland contracts)

Disclaimer:  Information in this UPDATE is pertinent to Kiowa County FSA only. Producers reading this and that do not have FSA interest in Kiowa County are advised to contact their local FSA Office. 

THE USDA SERVICE CENTER HAS A DROP BOX AVAILABLE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING. 

 USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

GRASSLAND CRP SIGNUP #205 CONSERVATION PLANS

The local NRCS office has been notifying producers with accepted Grassland SU #205 offers to visit the Service Center or have the Conservation Plan information emailed to them for signatures.  When producers are notified by NRCS, it’s important to respond ASAP.  

The NRCS Conservation Plan is the last piece of the offer process and the final opportunity for producers to voluntarily terminate the offer.  These offers will become active CRP contracts on October 1, 2023.   

NEW NRCS EMPLOYEE

The Kiowa County Service Center has a new face at the NRCS office.  Trey McDowell is a Private Lands Conservationist with Pheasants Forever.  Trey graduated from Eads High School in 2018, continued his education at Adams State College and earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology.  

Welcome aboard, Trey!

USDA Reminds Producers of Fall Application Deadlines for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)

USDA Kiowa County Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of approaching application deadlines for purchasing risk coverage for some crops through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops impacted by natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses, or prevented crop planting.

NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass and more.

Upcoming application deadlines for NAP coverage in Kiowa County for the 2024 production season include:

• Triticale - September 1, 2023
• Grass - December 1, 2023

NAP basic coverage is available at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production. Buy-up coverage is available in some cases. NAP offers higher levels of coverage, ranging from 50 percent to 65 percent of expected production in 5 percent increments, at 100 percent of the average market price. Producers of organic crops and crops marketed directly to consumers also may exercise the “buy-up” option to obtain NAP coverage of 100 percent of the average market price at coverage levels ranging between 50 percent and 65 percent of expected production. Buy-up coverage is not available for crops intended for grazing.

For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Premiums apply for buy-up coverage.

If a producer has a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (form CCC-860) on file with FSA, it may serve as an application for basic coverage for all eligible crops beginning with crop year 2022. These producers will have all NAP-related service fees for basic coverage waived.  These producers may also receive a 50 percent premium reduction if higher levels of coverage are elected on form CCC-471, prior to the application closing date for each crop. 

To learn more about NAP visit www.fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local USDA Service Center at 719-438-5851 ext. 2 

KIOWA COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY COUNTY COMMITTEE

• Sean Harkness – LAA 1 – East area – Committee Chairperson
• Destiny Haase - LAA 2 – Central area – Committee Vice-Chairperson
• Michael Zimmerman – LAA 3 – West area – Committee Regular Member

USDA SERVICE CENTER CONTACT INFORMATION

409 E Lowell Ave.

PO Box 188 – Eads, CO  81036

Telephone 719-438-5851 FSA (Ext 2), NRCS (Ext 3). FSA Fax number: fax2mail 844-332-7501

FSA - Farm Service Agency  

• Dawna Weirich – CED dawna.weirich@usda.gov
• Charla Ferris – PT  charla.ferris@usda.gov
• Brandi Nevius – PT brandi.nevius@usda.gov
• Teri Ellis – PT teri.ellis@usda.gov

NRCS – Natural Resource Conservation Service

• Scott Smith – Resource Team Leader 719-767-5648 ext. 3 scott.smith3@usda.gov - Cheyenne Wells
• Steve Schmidt – steven.schmidt2@usda.gov  Eads Office
• Marty Miller - marlin.miller@usda.gov Eads Office
• Trey McDowell – tmcdowell@pheasantsforever.org

KIOWA COUNTY FARM LOAN CONTACT INFO – CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Telephone 719-336-3437 (ext. 2) 

• Mary Rhoades, mary.rhoades@usda.gov,
• Nicole Lubbers, nicole.lubbers@usda.gov

SERVICE CENTER OFFICE HOURS:  

Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

RECEIVE USDA INFORMATION

Visit website www.Farmers.gov  for up-to-date information for FSA/NRCS programs.

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For information on programs visit our website located at www.fsa.usda.gov or like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.