Farmers Encouraged to Complete Enrollment in ARC/PLC

WASHINGTON, DC – The clock is ticking for farmers who have not yet enrolled in an important farm program authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and administered through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). According to Richard Fordyce, FSA Administrator, producers have until June 30th to enroll in either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2020. Although program elections for the 2020 crop year remain the same as elections made for 2019, all producers need to contact their local FSA office to sign a 2020 enrollment contract. Currently, just under 90 percent of those expected to enroll have done so, representing more than 1.4 million contracts. Unlike in previous years, if a producer does not complete enrollment by the close of business on Tuesday, June 30th, they will not be enrolled for the 2020 crop year and will be ineligible to receive payment should one trigger for an eligible crop. In the past, local FSA staff could simply assign a producer to a program – by default – but Fordyce says that isn’t the case this year. Signed contracts can be mailed or emailed back to FSA or, arrangements can be made in advance with FSA to drop off signed contracts at the FSA county office.
(SOURCE: USDA)