To be eligible for Disaster Programs in 2008, producers MUST pay the applicable fees for the eligibility buy-in at their local FSA Office by September 16, 2008.

The 2008 Farm Bill authorized permanent supplemental disaster programs covering losses to crops, trees, forage, and other losses due to adverse weather. These programs require all crops planted, grown, produced, failed or prevented from being planted to be covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) through FSA or Federal Crop Insurance through a crop insurance agent.

Producers will be allowed to "buy-in" to the disaster program by paying a $100/crop CAT and/or NAP service fee for any 2008 crops that are not already covered by crop insurance or NAP.

All crops on all acreage (cropland and non-cropland), including hay or graze acreage, in all counties in all states, must have acreage reported to FSA to be covered.

Once the coverage requirement is met, producers may be eligible for one or more of the following programs:

For all eligibility requirements or addition information, contact your local office.

Producers have until September 30, 2008 to sign up for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program (DCP). Producers can fill out their 2008 DCP contract at any USDA Farm Service Agency County Office. Sign-up can also be completed online by going to the FSA Online Services page and clicking on "Access eDCP Service." You can choose payment options, assign crop shares and sign and submit contracts from any computer with Internet access. You can also view and print submitted contract options.

For all eligibility requirements or addition information, contact your local office.

Ballots mailed to eligible voters.

Last day to return voted ballots to your local FSA Office.

Elected committee members and alternatives take office.