DATE: 2/21/13

Contact:

Christina Reed

614-255-2527

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- February 21, 2013 -- The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Planting Transferability Pilot Project (PTPP) permits Ohio producers to plant approved vegetables for processing on base acres under the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) or Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE). The sign-up period for PTPP began Feb. 19, 2013, and ends April 5, 2013. USDA will not accept any late filed applications.

"PTPP offers producers the opportunity to diversify their crop production and better use their base acres. This project supports state farmers with additional sources of revenue and the production of healthy fruits and vegetables," said Steve Maurer, Ohio FSA State Executive Director.

PTPP allows producers to plant approved fruits or vegetables for processing on a farm's base acres. Approved plantings 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. Ohio has up to 4,000 acres available for PTPP in 2013.

Eligible participants must agree to produce any combination of eligible crops intended 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, which is available at the county office or online at: http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/CCC749.PDF and file it with their county FSA office.

For more information on PTPP, contact your FSA county office or to view the PTPP factsheet at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/plant_xfr_pilot_prg_2013.pdf.

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