This is a very busy time for USDA Farm Service Agency employees as several signups are underway for various government farm programs. Minnesota State FSA Executive Director Joe Martin says the most important program producers need to make a decision on is which one to enroll in for the farm bill, whether it be ARC, ARC county or PLC.
He says the quickest enrollment deadline coming up is for those who want to be considered for the next batch of federal funding under the General Conservation Reserve Program as that deadline is February 28.
Martin says Minnesota is one of five states in the Prairie Pothole Region that has the Soil Health and Income Protection program available for those who want to plant cover crops for a three to five year period.
The SHIPP is a pilot program that’s available in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Montana. Enrollment runs from March 30 to August 21.
