San Angelo Standard-Times, Texas Jerry Lackey column

May 03--SAN ANGELO, Texas -- Implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill is underway at the U.S. Department of Agriculture but it's not an overnight process. There are 12 titles and more than 450 provisions.

"We are making tremendous progress implementing the new Farm Bill," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week. "This law is critically important to America's farmers and ranchers and to our nation's economy. Every USDA agency is working diligently to implement the Farm Bill's new provisions quickly and effectively."

The Agricultural Act of 2014 was signed into law on Feb. 7 and immediately after enactment, USDA established a farm bill implementation team composed of key sub-cabinet officials and experts from every mission area of the department to put new programs in place and make mandated reforms to existing programs.

In the weeks since enactment, the USDA held 12 outreach and listening sessions to share information and hear from stakeholders on the farm bill implementation process.

Important progress has been made on every title of the legislation including updates to risk management tools, modifications to farm loan programs, announcements regarding available funds for agricultural research and much more, according to a news release.

Title I: Deals with commodity programs and addresses disaster relief to farmers and ranchers. Starting April 15, producers started enrollment in the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.

Title II: Deals with conservation and applications are being accepted for the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Title III: Deals with trade and the market access program. The USDA announced on April 16 the 2014 funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program.

Title IV: Nutrition programs (or food stamps) kicked in March 5. The Food and Nutrition Service released an Implementation Memorandum to the states.

Title V: Credit or farm loan programs were announced by USDA's Farm Service Agencies Feb. 7 dealing with interest rate on Direct Farm Ownership loans.

Title VI: On March 25, Rural Development published notice in the Federal Register extending the application period for Fiscal Year 2013 and 2014 funding for Value Added Producer Grants, with up to $25.5 million available for these grants.

Title VII: Deals with research and relatedmatters; organic research and extension initiative; specialty crop research; citrus disease; and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

Title VIII: Deals with forestry and currently focuses on insect and disease infestation. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell sent a letter to all state governors March 19 notifying them of the opportunity to submit requests for designating their priority insect and disease areas for treatment.

Title X: Deals with horticulture and offers specialty crop block grants.

Title XI: Deals with crop insurance and premium amounts for catastrophic risk protection. During the first week of April, the Risk Management Agency issued documents to revise the premium rates charged for CAT coverage to be based on the average historical "loss ratio" plus a reasonable reserve.

Title XII: Deals with miscellaneous concerns. On March 14, the Food Safety and Inspection Service submitted the first status report to Congress on the development of the final rule establishing a catfish inspection program.

"The new Farm Bill will allow USDA to continue record accomplishments on behalf of the American people, while providing new opportunity and creating jobs across rural America. It will enable USDA to further expand markets for agricultural products at home and abroad, strengthen conservation efforts, create new opportunities for local and regional food systems and grow the bio-based economy. It will provide a dependable safety net for America's farmers, ranchers and growers. It will maintain important agricultural research, and ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all Americans," Vilsack added.

For more information on the 2014 Farm Bill or to apply for a particular title, visit your local USDA Farm Service Agency.

In San Angelo, the Tom Green County FSA office is located at 3514 Devonian Drive; phone 325-653-1246. Michael Sturm is executive director. In Abilene, the Taylor County FSA office is at 3400 S. 14th Street; phone 325-695-0140. Tim Hall is executive director.

Jerry Lackey writes about agriculture. Contact him at [email protected] or 325-949-2291.

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