FSAfarm+, FSA’s customer self-service portal
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency has launched a new tool to provide farmers and ranchers with remote access to their personal farm information using their home computers. Farmers and ranchers can now view, print or export their personal farm data, all without visiting an FSA county office.
The program, known as FSAfarm+, provides secure access to view personal FSA data, such as base and yields, Conservation Reserve Program data, other conservation program acreage, highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation status information, field boundaries, farm imagery, name and address details, contact information and membership interest and shares in the operation. This data will be available in real time, at no cost to the producer, and allow operators and owners to export and print farm records, including maps. Producers also can electronically share their data with a crop insurance agent from their own personal computer.
Farm operators and owners first will need “Level 2 eAuthentication” to access the web portal. This level of security ensures that personal information is protected for each user. Level 2 access can be obtained by going to www.eauth.usda.gov, completing the required information, and then visiting a local FSA office to finalize access.
For more information on FSAfarm+, contact the Osage County FSA office at 785-828-4631 or 115 W. 17th St., Lyndon.
Foreign buyers notification
The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act requires all foreign owners of U.S. agricultural land to report their holdings to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Farm Service Agency administers this program for USDA.
All individuals who are not U.S. citizens, and have purchased or sold agricultural land in the county are required to report the transaction to FSA with 90 days of the closing. Failure to submit the AFIDA form could result in civil penalties of up to 25 percent of the fair market value of the property. County government offices, real estate agents, attorneys and others involved in real estate transactions are reminded to notify foreign investors of these reporting requirements.
Update records
FSA is cleaning up its producer record database. If you have any unreported changes of address or zip code or an incorrect name or business name on file, they need to be reported to the FSA office. Changes in a farm operation, like the addition of a farm by lease or purchase, need to be reported. Producers participating in FSA and NRCS programs are required to timely report changes in their farming operation to the county committee in writing and update their farm operating plan.
Farm safety
Flowing grain in a storage bin or gravity-flow wagon is like quicksand – it can kill quickly. It takes less than five seconds for a person caught in flowing grain to be trapped. The mechanical operation of grain handling equipment also presents a real danger. Augers, power take offs, and other moving parts can grab people or clothing. These hazards, along with pinch points and missing shields, are dangerous for adults and children. It is always advisable to keep children a safe distance from operating farm equipment. Always use extra caution when backing or maneuvering farm machinery. Ensure everyone is visibly clear and accounted for before machinery is engaged.
FSA wants all farmers to have a productive crop year and that begins with putting safety first.
For more information about USDA programs or services, contact the Osage County FSA office at 785-828-4631 or 115 W. 17th St., Lyndon.
