WASHINGTON, May 8, 2013 — After weeks of suspending some farm payments because of uncertainty over the impact of sequestration, the USDA announced today that they are back on schedule. This decision includes payments for the 2011 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE), the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC).
“I’m pleased to announce that farmers and ranchers can expect to begin receiving their payments beginning today, May 8,” said Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan Garcia. “We appreciate the producers’ patience during the delay. We’re working diligently to get these payments out as quickly as possible.”
On March 4, 2013, FSA began a temporary suspension of FSA program payments in order to “assess the impact of sequestration and determine the least-disruptive process possible for carrying out required cuts. The Department will use the Secretary’s limited authority to transfer funds to avoid reducing these program payments,” according to FSA.
Sign-up periods currently underway have the following enrollment deadlines: 2013 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program – June 3rd; 2011 SURE – June 7; and the 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program – August 2nd. Producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible for appointments to enroll in these programs before the deadlines.
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