Elections for the 2017 County Committee

USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee elections are underway in Osage County.  It is important that every eligible producer participate in these elections because FSA county committees are a link between the agricultural community and the USDA. The 2017 election in Osage County will be conducted for the representative Local Administrative Area (LAA) 3, located in the southern half of Osage County.

County committee members are a critical component of FSA operations. Committees should be comprised of members who reflect the diversity of producers involved in production agriculture in Osage County.  This means that producers representing underserved groups or communities should be on the committee to speak on behalf of their constituency.

Underserved producers are beginning, women and other minority farmers and ranchers and land owners or operators who have limited resources. Other minority groups including Native American and Alaska Natives; persons under the poverty level, and persons that have disabilities are also considered underserved.

County committee election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters on Nov. 6, 2017.  The last day to return completed ballots to the Osage County USDA service center is Dec. 4, 2017.

For more information on eligibility to serve on FSA county committees, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

2018 acreage reporting dates

To comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Osage County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline.

The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Osage County 2018 crop year:

• November 15, 2017 grass, perennial forages (alfalfa, clover, etc), including expired CRP.
• December 15, 2017 small grains (wheat, barley, oats, rye).

The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:

• If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
• If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.
• If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only,” “green manure,” “left standing,” or “seed,” then the acreage must be reported by July 15.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.

For more information about county committees and the election process, or crop certification and crop loss reports, contact the local FSA office at 785-828-4631, 115 W. 17th St., Lyndon, or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Information thanks to Osage County FSA.