By John Berry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers that the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA service center by June 1, 2015, in order to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support.
USDA has launched a new digital resource this week to help guide agricultural producers through the conservation compliance process. The Five Steps to Meet Conservation Compliance webpage will help producers determine if conservation compliance provisions apply to them as well as how to become and remain compliant.
Most farmers already have a certification form on file since it’s required for participation in most USDA programs such as marketing assistance loans, farm storage facility loans and disaster assistance. However farmers, such as specialty crop growers who receive federal crop insurance premium support, but may not participate in other USDA programs, also must now file a certification form to maintain their crop insurance premium support.
Go here to to view a copy of the rule. The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form is available at your local USDA service center or online. When a farmer completes this form, USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff will outline any additional actions that may be required for compliance with highly erodible land and wetland provisions.
Source:psu.edu