O/T Direct Payment Program

[Anonymous-0]

I've been trying to read and understand the governments Direct and Counter cyclical Payment Program. I'm trying to get started farming and would like to learn more about it. Back when my father farmed, he never participated, so this is new territory. Is there a minimum amount of acres you have to have? I have 8 acres of wheat right now. It doesn't sound like much, but I'd like to get involved now so I have a little "practice" for when I have 100-200 acres.

I've been reading on the FSA website and they mention the years 2002-2007 (the 2002 Farm Bill) Is this where the 2008 Farm bill comes in? Is it even put in effect yet?

Do I just go to the local FSA office and just fill out some paperwork or do you have to be farming for a certian number of years.

If anyone would like to share their experiences with this program I'd be glad to hear it.

Sorry for all the questions, but I haven't found a website with all the answers I've been looking for on the web yet.


Thanks in Advance

 

[kyhayman]

I know there is a lot more to it than this but if I recall correctly it is connected to your historic feed grain payments. The payments in the 02-07 farm bill came from established farm crop base acres which date back at least to the 80's. My understanding is they go with the land. If you buy a farm that doesnt have a history you cant start getting payments. If you buy a farm with history you can get payments even if you dont farm it. I've got two farms that get payments and two that dont. The payments are based on cropping histories from prior to 1984 at least.

 

[JMS MN]

History is established with, and stays with, each farm. Yield bases are ancient history- not raised in many years. Proven yields do help...sometimes. 2008 Farm Bill is not passed yet. Govt (Congress) is slow- doesn"t understand planning/planting schedules, etc. You need to go to FSA for details- don"t believe me...or others- go to FSA for that. They are the ones that cut the checks, do all the other stuff. Last word on any govt program.

 

[IaGary]

Kyhayman you are partially correct.

If you have a farm with no history you can establish history by reporting the grain crops planted each year. They use a 5 year average to establish the base acres. For example the years used for 08 could be 02-06.If no acreage was reported for a year, a 0 will be used in the calculation of base acreage for that year. If the farm has no grain crop history then you can not get a payment, you are correct on that.

If the Gov. don't get there rears in gear there may not be any payments for 08. Which would be fine with me. Save the payments for when the prices are in the dumpers.

Gary

 

[Anonymous-0]

You need to go to the FSA office soon and discuss. If it was uncropped sod or pasture land and if you were already in the program they need to be notified before tearing it up, don't know what is involved if not in the program. If you only have 8 acres now and sign up, then intend to break more sod, it might present some difficulties depending on your office. Most are easy to get along with. In the early 90's I cleared out some fence rows and starting farming some idle ground which had been pastured years ago. Went to the FSA office to add the additional acres to the neighboring field and the FSA wasn't real happy I didn't tell them before proceeding. Pleaded ignorance which was truly the case, but probably wouldn't try it again.
Minimally you need to get a farm number and start building a history. Best to get this number before the new government program begins, because after it starts you can get a number and build a history, but I don't believe you can get any payments. In 1999 I bought a small farm some distance away which was being cropped but was not in the program. The tentant immediately got a farm number and although we didn't initially get any payments, a history was built which bore fruit (money) in the subsequent 2002 farm bill.

 

[paul]

Talk to the FSA office in your county.

It can be difficult to get land not already in the program into it so as to get payments. You can certainly go through the signup & reporting process, but payments are based on what was enrolled back 2 farm bills ago..... Entering new lant for payments might not be possible. This is the time tho, we are operating under the old bill, tho actually it has expired, and the new bill is not passed yet. So, you have 3 options to find a crack to get the ground in - old, none, and new. Go there this week!!!!! When the new bill passes, or more likely when the old one is extended for an extra year, that office will be _swamped_ with farmers & they will not have near as much time to deal with you & 8 acres.

My sis has 4.5 acres 'signed up' but since it was never in the program it doesn't get any payments. She's been keeping up with the ppaerwork in case CRP, EQUIP, or other enviro programs would pay out on returning it to grassleand; or if an openning comes to enroll it in an FSA payment.

Good luck.

--->Paul

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yep, there's nothing like milking the Gov. for some free cheese! Who cares if the rest of America has to pay for it huh.....If it were up to me, I'd shut down "ALL" the free handouts! If I can't support my Family with 1 job, guess what I get 2! I don't expect a free meal from anyone of you and you shouldn't expect it either.

 

[Dave from MN]

You dont like affordable food do you!Have you or anyone you know ever been laid off or lost their job? Did ya get unemployment?? There are reasons for the programs and most small farmers dont get rich off the programs. Very rude of you to post a reply like that when sometimes those payments to farmers can keep them going, bringing you cheap food, while they barely make enough to sustain themselves. As far as I am concerned we all eat, I think MORE of the country's taxes should be funded to the small farmers that give us such affordable food. Walk a mile in struggling farmers shoes before you say something like that.