Beech Tree News Network

        By: Greg Drake II, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Farmers and Landowners that own or farm farms with “base acres” have until March 15, 2020 to enroll in the federal farm program.  The most recent farm bill gave farmers the opportunity to update their yields to more accurately reflect current farm yields.  Many farms have not updated their yields for over twenty years.  Participants can choose between Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage.  Which program suits a farm operation best requires complex analysis.  Participants are free to select different programs for different crops on their farm.  Farms that do not enroll by the deadline will be automatically enrolled in the program they were enrolled in during the previous farm bill, but they will lose any payment for the 2019 crop if there is one.    Our local USDA office has been working very hard to contact those farmers and landowners that are eligible so if you are interested in the federal farm program make plans to go in and sign up before the March 15, 2020 deadline.  Our USDA office facility is on Ohio Street down the hill from the library. 

For more information, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 102 Parkway Lane, Morgantown or call 270-526-3767.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.