Farm Service Agency to Host Meeting

Have you been operating a livestock farm less than 10 years? Is your total household income less than $22,050 a year? Are you a member of a socially disadvantaged group? If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, you can still sign up in the 2008 Livestock Forage Program (LFP) for assistance due to the drought conditions in DeKalb County during 2007 and 2008.
DeKalb County and Cannon County Farm Service Agency are hosting a joint producer meeting on Monday, November 30th at 6:00 p.m. in Smithville at the “303 Building” on the north side of the DeKalb County Courthouse. The meeting will be targeted towards explaining Livestock Forage Program benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers, limited resource farmers, and beginning farmers. However, general information will also be provided for anyone interested in the 2008 Livestock Forage Program. Office staff will be on hand to accept applications at the meeting.
Producers meeting the requirements of a socially disadvantaged farmer, limited resource farmer, or beginning farmer did not have to pay the $100 buy-in fee or purchase a NAP policy for the 2008 crop year and will be eligible to sign up in the 2008 LFP by the December 10 deadline.
The definitions for each group qualified under this waiver are:
(1) Socially Disadvantaged Farmer: a farmer who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group that has been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.
(2) Limited Resource Farmer: a producer with BOTH the following:
a) direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than $100,000 in both of the previous 2 years, AND;(b) total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of 4, or less than 50% of county median household income in both of the previous 2 years. For DeKalb County and Cannon County, adjusted gross income (total household) of less than $22,050 would qualify.
(3) Beginning Farmer: an individual who (1) has not operated a farm for more than 10 years, AND (2) substantially participates in the operation.
For more information, or for directions to the meeting, contact the local Farm Service Agency. The DeKalb County Farm Service Agency office phone number is 597-8225, extension 2 and the Cannon County Farm Service Agency office phone number is 563-4321, extension 2.