For Immediate Release:

Jan. 12, 2012

517-324-5107

East Lansing, MI – January 12, 2012 - USDA Michigan Farm Service Agency (FSA) Christine White, State Executive Director reminds producers enrollment for Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program or the traditional Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) begins January 23 and runs through June 1.

"Farmers in Michigan who are interested in enrolling in these programs need to add this important deadline to their list of ‘must do’ jobs,” White said. "Producers should contact the local county office to set up appointments."

Annual contracts are required to be signed to receive program benefits. All signatures of producers receiving a share in DCP and ACRE payments are required by June 1, 2012.

For more information about DCP and ACRE programs or other FSA programs, contact your county FSA office and visit the state FSA website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/mi

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.