Crop Insurance Program Available to Farmers (News Release: 8/4/2010) — A risk management tool that protects producers' pastures, rangeland or forage against a lack of rain is now available for eligible Pennsylvania farmers in all 67 counties, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said. The Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance Program was only available as a pilot program in 26 of the state's counties for the 2010 crop year. The PRF's expansion, however, was necessary to increase access to this service for all producers and crop insurance agents in the state.
The PRF program offers insurance coverage for the 2011 crop year to producers for hay and pasture crops based upon the rainfall index in two-month insurance periods for a given year. Rainfall index information is used to determine insurance indemnities based on the amount of rainfall totals below normal in a given area.
Producers in the PRF program who suffer a loss can receive up to $500 of protection per acre for hay acreage. Policies for PRF also are available for apiculture.
The enrollment deadline for the expanded statewide program is September 30, 2010 for protection in 2011. Pennsylvania is only one of 16 states in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers the program to producers.
To find a crop insurance agent, click here (www3.rma.usda.gov/apps/agents/). For information about crop insurance in Pennsylvania call Karen Powell at 717-705-9511 or visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us search "crop insurance."
Lime Spreader Rental Program — The Conservation District has purchased a wet lime spreader sized to be more accommodating to our hilly topography.
The application of lime is usually the cheapest way of improving the quality of forage for an extended period of time. The Conservation District has created this program for the purpose of being user-friendly regarding cost as well as results.
Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program — The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program was established under the Agricultural Area Security Law (1981). The agricultural easement provides the option for a landowner to sell the development rights to dedicate their land to agricultural use. The land remains titled to the landowner, but may not be developed for any nonagricultural use. Every county, with an approval program, has the responsibility of administering the conservation easement program, which is operated under the oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. An agricultural conservation easement program establishes a perpetual restriction on the land securing the agricultural land for future generations. Funding to purchase agricultural conservation easements is provided by state, county, and at times, local municipal allocations and private revenue.
The Greene County Conservation District is working toward establishing a conservation easement purchase program. At this time, the Greene County Farmland Preservation Board has been developed and the bylaws are in place. The first conservation easement purchase is expected to take place in 2008.
Farmland Preservation Program: — The Farmland Preservation Program is dedicated to protecting valuable farm acreage from development. In 2006 the Greene County Farmland Preservation Board of Directors was established. They developed and adopted bylaws for the County program. The first conservation easement purchase is expected to take place in 2008.
The Farmland Preservation Board meets the 3rd Monday of each month. Board members and their term dates are listed below (list updated 2/18/2010):
William Cree III, Chairman (Term Expires 10/20/2011)
Dave Shipman, Vice Chairman (Term Expires 10-20-2012)
Charles R. Day, Secretary (Term Expires 10-20-2010)
Rick Thistlethwaite, Treasurer (Term Expires 10-20-2012)
Carl Biddle, Member at large (Term Expires 10/20/2011)
James Willis, Farm Member (Term Expires 10/20/2011)
Corbly L. Orndorff, Farm Member & Township Supervisor (Term Expires 10-20-2010)
Agricultural Security Area Security Law — The Agricultural Security Area Law was enacted in 1981 to encourage landowners and local municipalities to commit to preserving agricultural lands and to protect these Important land classifications from incompatible uses on neighboring lands. The law establishes the authority for municipalities to identify areas of 250 or more acres to be voluntarily enrolled as an Agricultural Security Area (ASA).
Land within the district may be owned by more than one person and does not have to be contiguous. The municipality acts as a partner with the landowner to identify and establish ASA’s and must follow such criteria as the land having soils compatible with agricultural purposes, applicability of the ASA to the local municipal comprehensive plan, the current agricultural use or improvement, and the anticipated trends for that land area. An ASA application process includes a proposal process, public notification, and a review of the ASA on a seven-year basis. Enrollment in an ASA provides limited protection against municipal regulations, eminent domain, and allows the landowner to participate in Pennsylvania’s agricultural conservation easement program.
In Greene County there are 4 approved ASA and one pending application:
Center Township - 1643.7 Acres with 7 landowners (Application Pending)
Cumberland Township - 582.77 Acres enrolled with 2 landowners
Greene Township – 547 Acres with 3 landowners
Washington Township - 2,195 Acres enrolled with 24 landowners
Nutrient Management Act — The Nutrient Management Act was first enacted in Pennsylvania to place mandatory management controls on farm pollution in an effort to reduce environmental pollutants and improve water quality (DCED, 2003). The Nutrient Management Act regulates land application of manure in order to control non-point source pollution as well as setting standards for defining Concentrated Animal Operations (high animal density operations), as well as regulates the import / export and haulers of manure. Nutrient Management Plans are one requirement of the Nutrient Management Act.
A nutrient management plan helps to establish best management practices for agricultural operations. Among the topics included in a plan are crop rotation and tillage, and manure testing, storage, and spreading procedures. A nutrient management plan will outline the actions that a farmer will follow to comply with the Nutrient Management Act. Such regulations include identifying balanced application rates for manure and other nutrients based on soil tests and crop removal rates, establishing minimum standards for manure storage, and record keeping requirements.
The Greene County Conservation District (GCCD) provides technical assistance and program administration for Act 38 Nutrient Management Law. The GCCD reviews and approves nutrient management plans, provides assistance for plan implementation, handles manure related complaints and maintains a current list of certified nutrient management planners for Greene County.
Agricultural Conservation Technicial Services (ACT) — The GCCD provides technical assistance for the County’s agricultural community with the experienced Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field team for Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties. We also provide conservation and grazing plans for resource management systems on farms throughout the tri-county area.
We work cooperatively to provide survey design and layout for best management practice installation using NRCS engineering job approvals to certify practices that are installed to Pennsylvania Technical standards guide.
Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program — The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program allows farmers and businesses to earn tax credits in exchange for planning, sponsoring or implementing "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) on agricultural operations that will enhance farm production and protect natural resources. Farmers can also receive tax credits for conversion or upgrading to a No-till cropping system. Applications for this round will be accepted starting August 2, 2010 on a first come first serve basis.
Project Grass and Grazing Mangement — Project Grass focuses on increasing grassland productivity while minimizing the environmental impact from farming through a partnership between farmers and the conservation district.
Grazing Group/Pasture Walks – promotes the Project Grass program to citizens and other farmers through field day events.
Also, click here for more information on PA Project Grass (Rotation Grazing at it's Best!)
Century Farms — Pennsylvania Bicentennial and Century Farms (PA Department of Agriculture) Project.
Has your farm been in your family for 100 years or longer? If the answer is yes, then why not apply to the Pennsylvania Bicentennial & Century Farms Program!
In 2004, the Pennsylvania State Department of Agriculture started a Bicentennial & Century Farms program. This program helps to emphasize the the importance of our economic and rural heritage, as well as our traditions. According to the PA Department of Agriculture, there are almost 2,000 farms recognized across the state!
Criteria necessary:
The same family must own the farm for at least 100 (Century Farm) or 200 (Bicentennial Farm) consecutive years;
A family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis; and
The farm must consist of at least 10 acres of the original holding, OR gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products.
For more information about the Bicentennial & Century Farms Program and to download the application form, please click here for program description and application information. (*Please note: You DO NOT need to be a preserved farm in order to apply*)
Click here for Rabies Prevention and Control Information (PA DOA)
Click here for Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals & Wildlife Act (PA DOA)
(Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov)
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For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
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