Contact: Eric Fischer

Phone: 517-324-5107

Email: eric.fischer@mi.usda.gov

EAST LANSING, January. 25, 2012 - The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) planting Transferability Pilot Project (PTPP) permits Michigan producers to plant approved vegetables for processing on base acres under the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP). Eligible producers have until March 1, 2012 to sign up for the PTPP program.

"This program offers Michigan producers opportunities to diversify and better use their base acres. It's an important step in providing farmers with additional sources of revenue" said Christine White, Michigan FSA State Executive Director.

The Planting Transferability Pilot Project (PTPP) allows producers to plant approved fruits or vegetables for processing on a farm's base acres - these include cucumbers, green peas, lima beans, pumpkin, snap beans, sweet corn or tomatoes. Without the PTPP, planting these crops on base acres would be prohibited. Base acres on a farm will be temporarily reduced each year on an acre-for-acre basis, for each base acre planted with an approved fruit or vegetable on that farm. Michigan is approved to enroll a total of 9, 000 acres into PTPP.

Eligible participants must agree to produce one of the approved crops for processing and to provide the county FSA office with a copy of the contract between the producer and processing plant. Participants must agree to produce the crop as part of a program of crop rotation on the farm to achieve agronomic, pest and disease management benefits, and to provide disposition evidence of the crop. Participants must complete form CCC-749 (available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov) and file it with their county FSA office.

The sign-up period for the PTPP began, January 23, 2012 and will end March 1, 2012. USDA will not accept applications filed after that date.

For more information on PTPP or other farm programs, visit your local USDA Service Center or the Farm Service Agency Web site at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 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).