For Immediate Release: Oct. 17, 2012

Media Contact:

Jennifer Cole

USDA Montana Farm Service Agency

(406) 587-6786

(Bozeman, Mont., - Oct. 17, 2012) - Bruce Nelson, State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Montana announced today that producers can enroll in the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program for 2011 crop year losses beginning Oct. 22, 2012. Under the 2008 Farm Bill, SURE authorizes assistance to farmers and ranchers who suffered crop losses caused by natural disasters occurring through Sept. 30, 2011.

"Eligible producers who experienced a 2011 crop loss can contact their local county FSA office to learn more about the SURE program," Nelson said. "All eligible farmers and ranchers must sign up for 2011 SURE benefits before the June 7, 2013 deadline.”

In Montana, 46 counties received either a primary Secretarial Disaster Designation or are contiguous to a Secretarial Disaster Designated county during 2011. This means producers in the 46 Montana counties can qualify for SURE benefits as long as they suffered at least a 10 percent production loss on one crop of economic significance and all other eligibility requirements are met. Producers in the remaining 10 Montana counties, without a primary or continuous disaster designation, are eligible for SURE benefits if they suffered production losses greater or equal to 50 percent of the normal production on the SURE farm.

To meet program eligibility requirements, producers must have obtained a policy or plan of insurance for all insurable crops through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and obtained Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage on non-insurable crops, if available, from FSA. Eligible farmers and ranchers who meet the definition of a socially disadvantaged, limited resource or beginning farmer or rancher do not have to meet this purchase requirement. Forage crops intended for grazing are not eligible for SURE benefits and therefore coverage is not required on grazing crops.

While there is no authority for a 2012 disaster program, Montana farmers and ranchers who suffered 2012 crop/livestock disaster losses may be eligible to apply for the FSA Emergency Loan Program. Agricultural producers who operate in primary or contiguous disaster areas are eligible to apply for low-interest Emergency Loans.

On Oct. 10, 2012, Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA reviewed the local loss assessment reports, determined there were sufficient production losses and declared the following seven primary disaster areas in Montana: Fallon, Glacier, Judith Basin, Madison, Rosebud and Teton counties and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. As part of this designation, 24 Montana counties were named continuous disaster areas, including Beaverhead, Big Horn, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Musselshell, Petroleum, Pondera, Powder River, Prairie, Silver Bow, Toole, Treasure, Wheatland, Wibaux and Yellowstone. The natural disasters in this designation include the combined effects of early spring frosts and freezes, drought, excessive heat, high winds, wildfires, insects, hail, lightning and tornadoes that occurred during the period of Jan. 1, 2012 and continuing.

Montana FSA previously announced additional 2012 secretarial, presidential and administrator natural disaster designations (primary and contiguous areas) including Beaverhead, Big Horn, Broadwater, Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Gallatin, Garfield, Golden Valley, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis & Clark, Madison, Meagher, Musselshell, Petroleum, Park, Powder River, Prairie, Powell, Ravalli, Rosebud, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Treasure, Wheatland and Yellowstone counties, and both the Blackfeet & Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations.

Producers have eight months from the date of each designation to apply for an Emergency Loan, which is currently at 2.125 percent. The maximum emergency loan amount is $500,000.

Producers interested in applying for an emergency loan should contact their local FSA office to set up an appointment with the Farm Loan Program staff serving your area. For more information, visit the state FSA Website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/mt. To sign up for Montana FSA news through the GovDelivery electronic news service, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/subscribe or contact your local county FSA office for subscription assistance.