Two USDA Issues that may be of Interest to Florida Peach Growers

USDA fruit grower disaster aid program kicks off

by Joan Murphy | July 22, 2014

WASHINGTON — Beginning July 22, eligible fruit growers who experienced losses in 2012 due to frost and freeze, and who did not have access to crop insurance, will be able to apply for disaster relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The latest farm bill included a provision — penned by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) — that allows farmers without access to crop insurance and living in primary and adjacent counties that received a Secretarial disaster designation because of frost or freeze in 2012 to be eligible for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program assistance. The program focuses on fruit crops grown on a tree or bush that suffered low yields due to damaging weather, though it also extends to natural occurrences such as earthquakes and floods.

"Family farms and businesses shouldn't have to go under because of a few days of bad weather," Stabenow said. "That's why it was so crucial when writing the 2014 farm bill to make sure that growers of all crops have access to relief to keep their farms running."

Stabenow said cherry and apple crops in Michigan and across the country were destroyed in frosts and freezes in 2012, leaving growers without crop insurance few options.

USDA said launching the farm bill program was a priority.

"After the 2014 farm bill was enacted into law, USDA expedited the restart of disaster assistance programs as a top priority," Farm Service Agency Administrator Juan Garcia said in a statement.

NAP enrollment begins July 22, and all applications must be submitted to a FSA county office by Sept. 22. FSA has a 17-page list of counties in the nation that were designated in 2012 for freeze or frost disaster.

Producers are encouraged to gather records documenting these losses to expedite the process, and to contact their FSA county office to schedule an appointment.

"Limited resource, socially disadvantaged and beginning producers are eligible for premium reductions and also may be eligible for fee reductions," FSA said.

Interested producers are encouraged to check FSA's website for more information on the program.

 

USDA Farm to School 

RFA Announced for New Bill Farm Pilot Program 

Last week, Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced the release of a Request for Applications (RFA) from states interested in participating in a new pilot project authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Under the pilot, up to eight states across five regions will be granted flexibility in using a portion of their USDA Foods entitlement dollars to purchase locally-grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).  The pilot project will provide the selected states additional flexibility in the procurement of locally-grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables. School food authorities (SFAs) in these states, or State Distributing Agencies (SDAs) acting on behalf of participating SFAs, will be permitted to competitively solicit a USDA-approved vendor using USDA Foods National School Lunch Program (NSLP) entitlement funds. SDAs or SFAs will also be able to use pre-existing commercial distribution channels and relationships with growers, produce wholesalers, and distributors.  When schools invest food dollars into local communities, all of agriculture benefits, including local farmers, ranchers, fishermen, food processors and manufacturers. According to the Farm to School Census, in school year 2011-2012, schools participating in farm to school activities purchased and served more than $385 million in local food, with more than half of participating schools planning to purchase even more local foods in future school years. The Food and Nutrition Service will conduct conference webinars in August (see below) and September to answer questions and provide technical assistance with the application process to states that wish to apply. Interested SDAs must submit an application no later thanSeptember 30, 2014 to be considered for selection beginning in School Year 2014-2015.  For a copy of the request and more information about the pilot, visit www.fns.usda.gov/fdd.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information.

 

Kay

NATIONAL PEACH COUNCIL

Kay S. Rentzel
22 Triplett Court
Dillsburg, PA 17019 
Cell  717-329-8421

Fax 717-432-2200
Email ksrentzel@aol.com

 

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