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 http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/edcp 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.

Signup for quality losses under the Crop Disaster Program (CDP) began on June 23, 2008. Producers can apply for crop quality losses at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

The CDP provides benefits to farmers who suffered losses to their 2005-2007 crops from natural disasters and related conditions. Producers who incurred qualifying quantity or quality losses in 2005, 2006 or 2007 may receive benefits for only one of these years. However, producers may apply for benefits for losses to multiple crops as long as the losses occurred in the same crop year.

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

For 2008, the final crop reporting dates are being extended to August 15, 2008. Late fees will not be applied if acreage reports are filed by August 15 and all other reporting requirements are met.

Filing an accurate and timely report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage, can prevent loss of benefits for a variety of Farm Service Agency programs. Report of acreage must account for all cropland on a farm, whether idle or planted.

All cropland on the farm must be reported to receive benefits from the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program, marketing assistance loans and Load Deficiency Payments.

Conservation Reserve Program acreage must be reported to receive annual rental payments. And, crop acreage for Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) must also be reported.

For 2008, County Committee may accept requests for prevented planting and/or failed acreage, if timely filed by August 15. Farm visits will not be required if claims can be verified, and all other requirement are met.

Beginning June 15, 2008, FSA will actively solicit and accept nominations from producers and groups representing socially disadvantaged producers throughout North Dakota to service on local FSA county committees. The nomination period ends August 1, 2008.

The election of responsible agricultural producers to FSA county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.

Nomination period begins. Nomination forms are available from your local FSA Office or online at:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov under News & Events/County Committee Elections.

Last Day to file nomination forms at your local FSA Office.

Ballots mailed to eligible voters.

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

Elected committee members and alternatives take office.