Producers reminded of new requirements for disaster programs

Florida Farm Bureau wants to make sure producers are aware of requirements for those seeking to participate in the new Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Programs included in the 2008 farm bill. Producers must have crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance (NAP) coverage for the land for which assistance is being requested and for all farms in all counties in which they have an interest, including grazing lands, in order to be eligible to participate in the disaster programs.

Since the 2008 Act was enacted after the application periods had closed for those programs, producers who did not have such coverage could not comply with this requirement in order to be eligible for the new disaster programs. However, the 2008 Act authorizes a waiver that allows producers to pay a fee, called a "buy-in" fee, to be eligible for this new disaster assistance.
The buy-in fee for 2008 eligibility only, for either the catastrophic risk protection insurance (CAT) or NAP, is $100 per crop, but not more than $300 per producer per administrative county or $900 total per producer for all counties, less any previously paid fees for CAT and/or NAP. Producers can contact their local FSA County Office to file the application for waiver and pay the applicable fees.

The buy-in fee is due no later than Sept. 16, 2008, 90 days after the date of enactment, as required by the 2008 Act. Those who miss this opportunity will not be eligible for disaster assistance. Producers are also reminded that the payment of the applicable buy-in fee does not afford the producer crop insurance or NAP coverage; it only affords eligibility for the 2008 disaster programs.

The following programs are included in the Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Program in the farm bill:
• Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program
• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
• Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
• Emergency Assistance Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)

Producers should note that, while the Livestock Indemnity Program is part of the Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Program, it is exempt from the CAT/NAP purchase requirement.
In order for Florida producers to be eligible for this program, the state will have to ask for a USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration in addition to the Presidential Disaster Declaration that is requested during storms/hurricanes. The Florida Department of Agriculture works closely with the USDA Farm Service Agency, and producers are asked to send any loss estimates and data that become available as the storm exits the state to Leslie Palmer or Nelson Mongiovi.