‘Buy-in’ waiver deadline is Tuesday, September 16

USDA’s Farm Service Agency reminds the agricultural community the deadline of September 16, is fast approaching for agricultural producers who choose to “buy-in” to become eligible for new disaster programs, by paying a fee, as required by the recently authorized new Farm Bill.

New 2008 Farm Bill provisions require producers who wish to participate in the new disaster programs to have crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance (NAP) coverage for the land for which assistance is being requested, and for all farms in all counties in which they have an interest.

As Robert Helmer, county executive director in the Evangeline Parish Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office, explained, “Since the new Farm Bill was enacted after the application periods had closed for those programs, producers who did not have such coverage could not comply with this requirement in order to be eligible for the new disaster programs.” “However, new Farm Bill provisions authorize a waiver that allows producers to pay a fee, called a “buy-in” fee, to be eligible for this new disaster assistance.”

Every producer whose crops, including grazing lands, are not fully covered by crop insurance or NAP may take advantage of this one-time opportunity. Those who miss this opportunity will not be eligible for any 2008 disaster assistance. Producers are also reminded the payment of the applicable buy-in fee does not afford the producer crop insurance or NAP coverage; it only affords eligibility for the 2008 disaster programs.

Helmer once again emphasized the applicable buy-in form must be completed and applicable fees paid by September 16, 2008. For additional information on these new Farm Bill programs and the authorized 2008 “buy-in” option for supplemental agricultural disaster assistance contact the Evangeline Parish Farm Service Agency Office.