Mr. Laurie C. Lawson announced his retirement on November 1, 2012, after serving twelve years as State Executive Director under two presidential administrations. Mr. Lawson served his first term from 1993 until 2001 and was appointed again in 2009. Mr. Lawson has served farmers, landowners, and rural South Carolina with distinction. Laurie Lawson’s personal faith, integrity, leadership has been his passion as he has provided leadership not only in FSA but in his career as a South Carolina farmer and leader in various Agriculture positions he has held in the State. His leadership will be greatly missed.

In his absence I will be serving as acting State Director and am looking forward to continuing the dedicated service to the farmers and ranchers of South Carolina. FSA employees will continue to do all that they can to be friendly, courteous, efficient, and productive while always abiding by the laws of this wonderful country where we are privileged to live.

The 2008 farm bill has expired and FSA will be in a transition until Congress completes new program requirements and the President signs it into law. The process of implementing a new farm bill after enactment will take several months. There will be new regulations to write, handbook development, employee training, and software changes to be made before implementation.

FSA will be notifying you through our newsletter, FSA web site, and public news releases once the farm bill is passed and program sign-up is announced. FSA employees, throughout the State, look forward serving you again through the next farm bill.

South Carolina State FSA Office

1927 Thurmond Mall, Suite 100

Columbia, SC 29201-2375

Phone: (803) 806-3830

Fax: (803) 806-3839

Battle, of Nichols, South Carolina, has farmed for several years in the eastern part of the state. During the Clinton Administration, Battle served as chairman of the South Carolina FSA State Committee. In addition to his agricultural activities, Battle has significant community leadership experience.

Dixon, from Aynor, South Carolina, has spent his life farming in Horry County. In addition, he has previously served on the South Carolina FSA State Committee. Dixon is a respected leader in his community and participates in several local organizations.

Trantham owns and operates a dairy in Pelzer, South Carolina. Trantham is known for his innovative feed production processes and has made significant contributions to conservation practices in the South Carolina dairy industry. His farm has been used in demonstrations on soil quality and erosion prevention projects.

Sharp is a row crop farmer from southern South Carolina. He has worked for decades on behalf of the farmers of the State. He has previously served as the Chairperson of the Allendale County Committee and continues to be active in local and state farming operations.

Koon owns a farm in Orangeburg County. Koon is active in several community projects and organizations.

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2013 — USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia today encouraged farmers and ranchers to enroll for the 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP) or the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) before the deadline. Producers who wait until the last minute to sign up could face increased waiting time in FSA county offices.

“We understand that producers have gotten busy, but they can’t forget to visit their county office and sign up for DCP or ACRE,” said Garcia. “Just as farmers and ranchers plan their spring plantings, producers should plan to schedule an appointment to visit their USDA Service Center at the earliest possible time. It’s best to complete the paperwork now rather than to stand in line the day before the deadline,” advised Garcia.

The sign-up for both programs began Feb. 19, 2013. The deadline to sign up for ACRE is June 3, 2013. The DCP sign up period ends Aug. 2, 2013.

The 2013 DCP and ACRE program provisions are unchanged from 2012, except that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop year. This means that eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE in 2013 (and vice versa).

For more information about the programs and loans administered by FSA, visit any FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.

MILC, SURE, and NAP will restart on May 8

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced today that farm payments, which had been temporarily suspended due to sequestration, are scheduled to resume today, May 8. This includes payments for the 2011 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE), the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC).

On March 4, 2013, FSA began a temporary suspension of FSA program payments in order to assess the impact of sequestration and determine the least-disruptive process possible for carrying out required cuts. The Department will use the Secretary’s limited authority to transfer funds to avoid reducing these program payments.

Producers should be advised that program sign-up periods currently underway have the following enrollment deadlines: 2013 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program – June 3rd; 2011 SURE – June 7; and the 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program – August 2nd. Producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible for appointments to enroll in these programs before the deadlines.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2013—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the authorization of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) for many Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) commodity, disaster, and conservation programs through 2013. FSA administers these programs.

The extended programs include, among others: the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP), the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE), and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC). FSA is preparing the following actions:

• FSA will begin sign-ups for DCP and ACRE for the 2013 crops on Feb. 19, 2013. The DCP sign-up period will end on Aug. 2, 2013; the ACRE sign-up period will end on June 3, 2013.

o The 2013 DCP and ACRE program provisions are unchanged from 2012, except that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop year. This means that eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE in 2013 (and vice versa).

• All dairy producers’ MILC contracts are automatically extended to Sept. 30, 2013. Eligible producers therefore do not need to re-enroll in MILC. Specific details regarding certain modifications to MILC will be released soon.

FSA will provide producers with information on program requirements, updates and signups as the information becomes available. Any additional details will be posted on FSA’s website.

For more information about the programs and loans administered by FSA, visit any FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.

Importante Anuncio de la Farm Service Agency Sobre la Actualización de Programas

WASHINGTON, 22 de enero de 2013— La Agencia de Servicio Agrícola (“Farm Service Agency” o FSA) del Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU. (“U.S. Department of Agriculture”) recuerda a los productores que la Ley de Alivio al Contribuyente Estadounidense de 2012 (“American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012”) extendió la autorización de la Ley de Alimentos, Conservación y Energía de 2008 (Ley Agrícola de 2008 o “2008 Farm Bill”) para muchos programas de la Corporación de Crédito para Productos Básicos (“Commodity Credit Corporation” o CCC) hasta 2013. La FSA administra los programas de la CCC.

Los programas extendidos incluyen, entre otros: el Programa de Pago Directo y Contra Cíclico (“Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program” o DCP), el Programa Electivo de Ingresos Promedio por Cosechas (“Average Crop Revenue Election Program” o ACRE), y el Programa de Contrato por Pérdida de Ingresos Lácteos (“Milk Income Loss Contract Program” o MILC). La FSA está preparándose para las siguientes acciones:

• La FSA comenzará la inscripción para DCP y ACRE el 19 de febrero de 2013. El período de inscripción para DCP termina el 2 de agosto de 2013; el período de inscripción de ACRE termina el 3 de junio de 2013.

o Las disposiciones del programa ACRE de 2013 no se han modificado desde 2012, excepto que en el 2013, todos los participantes tendrán la opción de inscribirse en cualquiera de los dos programas DCP o ACRE para el año de cultivo 2013. Esto significa que productores elegibles que estaban inscritos en ACRE en 2012 pueden optar por inscribirse en DCP en 2013 o pueden volver a inscribirse en ACRE en 2013 (y viceversa).

• Todos los contratos MILC de productores lecheros se extenderán automáticamente hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2013, así que los productores no necesitan volver a inscribirse en MILC. Detalles específicos sobre el programa MILC se darán a conocer pronto.

La FSA proporcionará a los productores toda la información sobre los requisitos de programas, actualizaciones programáticas y fechas de inscripción a medida que la información esté disponible. Los detalles adicionales serán publicados en la página web de la FSA.

Para obtener más información acerca de los programas y los préstamos administrados por la FSA, visite cualquier oficina de condado de la FSA o www.fsa.usda.gov.

Microloans up to $35,000 aim to assist small farmers, veterans, and disadvantaged producers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2013 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new microloan program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a less burdensome, more simplified application process in comparison to traditional farm loans.

“I have met several small and beginning farmers, returning veterans and disadvantaged producers interested in careers in farming who too often must rely on credit cards or personal loans with high interest rates to finance their start-up operations,” said Vilsack. “By further expanding access to credit to those just starting to put down roots in farming, USDA continues to help grow a new generation of farmers, while ensuring the strength of an American agriculture sector that drives our economy, creates jobs, and provides the most secure and affordable food supply in the world.”

The new microloans, said Vilsack, represent how USDA continues to make year-over-year gains in expanding credit opportunities for minority, socially-disadvantaged and young and beginning farmers and ranchers across the United States. The final rule establishing the microloan program will be published in the Jan. 17 issue of the Federal Register.

Administered through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Operating Loan Program, the new microloan program offers credit options and solutions to a variety of producers. FSA has a long history of providing agricultural credit to the nation’s farmers and ranchers through its Operating Loan Program. In assessing its programs, FSA evaluated the needs of smaller farm operations and any unintended barriers to obtaining financing. For beginning farmers and ranchers, for instance, the new microloan program offers a simplified loan application process. In addition, for those who want to grow niche crops to sell directly to ethnic markets and farmers markets, the microloan program offers a path to obtain financing. For past FSA Rural Youth Loan recipients, the microloan program provides a bridge to successfully transition to larger-scale operations.

Since 2009, USDA has made a record amount of farm loans through FSA—more than 128,000 loans totaling nearly $18 billion. USDA has increased the number of loans to beginning farmers and ranchers from 11,000 loans in 2008 to 15,000 loans in 2011. More than 40 percent of USDA’s farm loans now go to beginning farmers. In addition, USDA has increased its lending to socially-disadvantaged producers by nearly 50 percent since 2008.

Producers can apply for a maximum of $35,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing season, essential tools, irrigation, delivery vehicles, and annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and distribution expenses. As their financing needs increase, applicants can apply for an operating loan up to the maximum amount of $300,000 or obtain financing from a commercial lender under FSA’s Guaranteed Loan Program.

USDA farm loans can be used to purchase land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed, and supplies, or be to construct buildings or make farm improvements. Small farmers often rely on credit cards or personal loans, which carry high interest rates and have less flexible payment schedules, to finance their operations. Expanding access to credit, USDA’s microloan will provide a simple and flexible loan process for small operations.

Producers interested in applying for a microloan may contact their local Farm Service Agency office.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack’s leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers.

Micropréstamos de hasta $35,000 para ayudar a los pequeños agricultores, los veteranos, y los productores en desventaja

MEMPHIS, 15 de Enero de 2013—El Secretario de Agricultura Tom Vilsack anunció hoy un nuevo programa de micropréstamos del Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU. (“U.S. Department of Agriculture” o USDA) diseñado para ayudar a las operaciones pequeñas y de familias, y a los agricultores principiantes y en desventaja económica a obtener préstamos de menos de $35,000. El objetivo del nuevo programa de micropréstamos es respaldar el progreso de productores durante los años que inician un nuevo negocio, proporcionando los recursos necesarios y mayor capital para que puedan llegar a graduarse al crédito comercial y expandir sus operaciones. Este nuevo programa de micropréstamos también ofrecerá un proceso de solicitud menos laborioso y más sencillo en comparación a los préstamos agrícolas tradicionales.

"He conocido a varios productores pequeños y principiantes, veteranos que regresan y productores en desventaja económica interesados en carreras en la agricultura, pero que necesitan recurrir demasiado a tarjetas de crédito o préstamos personales con altas tasas de interés para financiar sus nuevas operaciones", dijo Vilsack. "Al ampliar aún más el acceso al crédito para los que comienzan a echar raíces en la agricultura, el USDA sigue ayudando a crecer una nueva generación de agricultores, garantizando al mismo tiempo la solidez del sector de la agricultura estadounidense que impulsa nuestra economía, crea empleos y produce el suministro de alimento más seguro y asequible de todo el mundo".

Los micropréstamos nuevos, dijo Vilsack, representan un ejemplo más de cómo el USDA continúa año tras año expandiendo las oportunidades de crédito para las minorías, los que están en desventaja económica y para los agricultores y ganaderos jóvenes y principiantes de todo Estados Unidos. La norma final que establece el programa de micropréstamos será publicada en la edición del 17 de enero del Registro Federal.

Administrado a través del programa de préstamos de operación (“operating loan program” u OL) de la Agencia de Servicio Agrícola (“Farm Service Agency” o FSA) del USDA, el nuevo programa de micropréstamos ofrece opciones de crédito y soluciones a una gran variedad de productores. La FSA tiene una larga historia de conceder crédito agrícola a los agricultores y ganaderos de la nación a través de su programa de préstamos para operación. En una evaluación de sus programas, la FSA consideró las necesidades de las operaciones agrícolas más pequeñas y las barreras inesperadas en la búsqueda de financiamiento. Para los agricultores y ganaderos principiantes, por ejemplo, el nuevo programa de micropréstamos ofrecerá un proceso de solicitud de préstamo simplificado. Además, para aquellos que quieren cultivar productos nicho para vender directamente a los mercados étnicos y mercados de agricultores, el programa de micropréstamos ofrece un camino para obtener el financiamiento que necesitan. Para pasados destinatarios de préstamos de juventud rural (“Rural Youth Loan”), el programa de micropréstamos sirve de puente para una transición exitosa a operaciones de mayor escala.

Desde 2009, el USDA ha concedido una cantidad récord de préstamos agrícolas a través de la FSA - más de 128,000 préstamos por un total de casi $18 mil millones. El USDA ha aumentado el número de préstamos a los agricultores y ganaderos principiantes de 11,000 préstamos en 2008 a 15,000 préstamos en 2011. Más del 40 por ciento de los préstamos agrícolas del USDA ahora se otorgan a agricultores principiantes. Además, el USDA ha aumentado sus préstamos a los productores en desventaja económica en casi un 50 por ciento desde 2008.

Los productores pueden solicitar un máximo de $35,000 para pagar los gastos iniciales de abrir o iniciar una operación, gastos tales como casas de invernadero (“hoop houses”) para extender la temporada de cultivo, herramientas esenciales, equipo de riego, vehículos de reparto y gastos anuales tales como semillas, fertilizantes, servicios públicos, alquiler de la tierra, costo de comercialización, y los gastos de distribución. Al aumentar su necesidad de financiamiento, los productores pueden solicitar un préstamo de operación hasta un monto máximo de $300,000 u obtener financiamiento de un prestamista comercial bajo el programa de préstamos garantizados (“Guaranteed Loan Program”) de la FSA.

Los préstamos agrícolas del USDA se pueden utilizar para comprar tierras, ganado, equipo, alimentos, semillas e insumos, o para la construcción de edificios o hacer mejoras a la granja. Los pequeños agricultores a menudo dependen de las tarjetas de crédito o préstamos personales, que llevan altas tasas de interés y planes de pago mucho menos flexibles, para financiar sus operaciones. Ampliando acceso al crédito, los micropréstamos del USDA ofrecerán un proceso de préstamo simple y flexible para operaciones agrícolas pequeñas.

Los productores interesados en solicitar un micropréstamo pueden comunicarse con su oficina local de la Farm Service Agency.

La Administración de Obama, con el liderazgo del Secretario de Agricultura Vilsack, ha trabajado incansablemente para fortalecer la América rural, mantener una red de seguridad agrícola fuerte, y crear oportunidades para los agricultores y ganaderos. La Agricultura estadounidense está experimentando uno de sus períodos más productivos en su historia gracias a la productividad, adaptabilidad y el ingenio de nuestros productores agrícolas.

El Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) es un proveedor de servicios, empleador y prestamista que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades para todos. Si usted quiere presentar una queja de discriminación, escriba a USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, o llame al (800) 795-3272 o al (202) 720-6382 para las personas con discapacidad auditiva.

The Farm Service Agency Fence Post is an online newsletter that is updated on an almost daily basis. It contains articles of interest on the agency's programs and departments, as well as success stories from the field. To access Fence Post, visit http://fsa.blogs.govdelivery.com/. Producers can sign up for weekly Fence Post updates by putting an email address in the box that says "Get Email Updates".