PROMO 660 x 440 Agriculture USDA Service Center Update

USDA Update – November 13, 2023

Eads USDA Service Center Staff

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

  • NOVEMBER 15, 2023 - FALL ACREAGE REPORTING DEADLINE
  • NOVEMBER 17, 2023 – APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR CSP & EQIP at NRCS
  • NOVEMBER 23, 2023 – SERVICE CENTER CLOSED – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
  • DECEMBER 1, 2023 - NAP APPLICATON FOR COVERAGE DEADLINE - 
    • Alfalfa and Grass
  • DECEMBER 4, 2023 – DEADLINE TO MAIL OR RETURN COC BALLOT TO FSA
  • JANUARY 30, 2024- LIVESTOCK FORAGE PROGRAM or LFP – Kiowa County eligible.

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.

ERP 2022 - Track 1

How to Apply — Track 1

FSA sent out pre-filled application forms (FSA-523) to producers earlier this week whose crop insurance and NAP (Non-insured crop assistance program) data is already on file because they received a crop insurance indemnity or NAP payment for crop year 2022 losses. Crops with the intended use of grazing are not eligible for Track 1 payments. 

This form includes eligibility requirements, outlines the application process, and provides ERP 2022 payment information.  Keep in mind that receipt of a pre-filled application is not confirmation that a producer is eligible to receive an ERP 2022 Track 1 payment and due to payment factoring will not be receiving all the amount listed on the application as ‘estimated ERP 2022 payment’, box 15 of the application states the amount is an ‘estimated amount and is prior to adjustments’.    

It is important that producers review all the information on the FSA-523 form especially Part A, the producer agreement and the cover letter that is with the application.  By signing FSA-523, the producer or primary policyholder and any SBI’s listed on the application who are claiming a share of the insured or NAP crop are:

  • Acknowledging that they had a qualifying loss - NOTE:  hail is not an approved qualifying loss
  • Applying for an ERP 2022 Track 1 payment
  • Certifying the information on FSA-523 is true and correct.
  • Required to retain documentation in support of their application for 3 years after the date of approval.

NOTE:  All information provided to FSA for program eligibility and payment calculation purposes, including certification that a producer suffered a loss due to a qualifying disaster event, is subject to spot check.

  • Agreeing:
    • To comply with ERP 2022 program provisions published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2023.
    • To purchase crop insurance or NAP as applicable for the crop, at 60/100 coverage level or higher for insured crops or at the basic 50/55 (catastrophic) coverage level or higher for NAP crops, for the next 2 available crop years.

NOTE:  If multiple crops and units are listed on an application, producers may agree to purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage for only some of the crops and units; an ERP 2022 Track 1 payment will be issued only for those crops and units for which the producer agrees to meet that requirement. 

    • That in the event any Track 1 payment resulted from erroneous information reported by the producer or if the producer’s data is updated after RMA or FSA calculated a producer’s Track 1 payment, the Track 1 payment will be recalculated and the producer must refund any excess payment to FSA, including interest to be calculated from the date of the disbursement to the producer
    • If FSA determines that the producer intentionally misrepresented information used to determine the producer’s Track 1 payment amount the producer must refund the full payment to FSA with interest from the date of disbursement.

NOTE:  All persons with a financial interest in a legal entity receiving payment are jointly and severally liable for any refund, including related charges, which is determined to be due to FSA for any reason.

Producers will need to return the completed and signed ERP 2022 Track 1 application to the office listed on the application, which is the producer’s recording county.  If a producer does not want this income in tax year 2023; producers are encouraged to submit the application after January 1, 2024.  When the producer submits the completed application, and it is entered into the software; the FSA office will provide the producer with a ECPR (estimated calculated payment report) which will show the estimated payment with the payment factors included. 

The application will list the FSA physical state and county code for which the loss occurred.  Below is a listing of Colorado state code (08) and southeast county codes.

  • 009-Baca
  • 011-Bent
  • 017-Cheyenne
  • 025-Crowley
  • 061-Kiowa
  • 063-Kit Carson
  • 073-Lincoln
  • 089-Otero
  • 099-Prowers

Producers must also have the following forms on file with FSA within a subsequently announced deadline.  Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms on file. However, those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms can contact their local FSA county office.   Certain producers may need to submit the FSA-510 and CCC-860 forms for an increase payment limitation or payment amount. 

  • Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
  • Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.    
  • Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).    
  • Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs (if applicable).   
  • Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, if applicable, for the 2022 program year.    
  • A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates.  

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  

NRCS – Natural Resource Conservation Service

KIOWA COUNTY FARM LOAN CONTACT INFO – CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Telephone 719-336-3437 (ext. 2)

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.

Receive text messages - Text COKiowa to FSANow (372-669) to subscribe.

 Subscribe to GovDelivery emails:  Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/subscribe  or contact your local FSA Office.

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.

Agriculture Kiowa County Haswell Eads Sheridan Lake Column