IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

• 2025 Non-Insurable Assistance Program Application for Coverage Deadline – grass for grazing– December 2, 2024
• COC Election - deadline to return ballots December 2, 2024

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.

MUCH NEEDED MOISTURE RECEIVED

What a blessing the snow and rain was last week. Here at the office, we received approximately 10 inches of snow and close to 3 inches of moisture. The snow didn’t reach too far south of Eads or east of Eads, however they received rain, so those areas weren’t left out.

There is a lot of grain sorghum still in the fields, but the winter wheat sure looks good.

If any ranchers suffered any losses with livestock, contact the FSA office for more information.

COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTION

Eligible voters in LAA or Local Administrative Area 2, which is the central area of Kiowa County, should be receiving a ballot to vote in the County Committee election. Ballots must be postmarked by December 2 to be counted. Ballots will be counted at the FSA Office on Tuesday, December 10^th. Candidates in Kiowa County this year are Mellissa Jones and Hayden Uhland. The winner will be replacing Destiny (Duff) Haase on the committee. Duff has served 3 consecutive – 3-year terms and has reached the term limitation.

NAP DEADLINE - DECEMBER 2^nd

Monday, December 2^nd is the deadline for producers to purchase an application for coverage on a CCC-471 form on grass with the intended use of grazing for crop year 2025. The cost is $325.00 per producer, unless the producer has filed a CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource and Beginning Farms or Rancher Certification. Producers with a CCC-860 on file are automatically eligible for basic 50/55 NAP coverage on eligible crops.

For information regarding NAP coverage call the FSA office or visit www.Farmers.gov.

NRCS CONTRACTORS LIST

The NRCS Office maintains a list of contractors that will perform disking of CRP, drilling of CRP grass seed, construction of fence and watering facilities for EQIP purposes. If you would like to be placed on this list or would like more details contact the Eads NRCS Office @ 719-438-5851 ext. 3.

KIOWA COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY COUNTY COMMITTEE

• Destiny Haase – Chairperson - LAA 2 – Central area
• Michael Zimmerman – Vice-Chairperson - LAA 3 – West area
• Jay Specht – LAA 1 – Regular Member - East area

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
• Marty Miller - marlin.miller@usda.gov Eads Office
• Steven Schmidt - steve.schmidt2@usda.gov
• Mark Nelson – mark.nelson@usda.gov

KIOWA COUNTY FARM LOAN CONTACT INFO – CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Telephone 719-336-3437 (ext. 2)

Nicole Lubbers, nicole.lubbers@usda.gov

Mary Rhoades, mary.rhoades@usda.gov

SERVICE CENTER OFFICE HOURS:

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

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.

RECEIVE USDA INFORMATION

There are many ways for our customers to receive up to date FSA and NRCS information. Below are different avenues to obtain 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.

It is the customers responsibility to know what programs and benefits are available.