Federal, state agencies continue work, distantly

It’s not only farmers who need to get on with the business of growing their crops during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many state and federal agencies that farmers rely on are also still doing business, albeit from a distance. We reached out to some of those agencies to find out what’s going on. Farm Service Agency (FSA). Like most U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies, FSA closed its doors to the public in late March. However, FSA service centers are still conducting business by phone and using email and online tools whenever possible. The state FSA office is working on 2020 ARC/PLC enrollment and gearing up for their annual acreage reporting, said Rod Hamilton, Washington State FSA farm programs chief. That reporting effort traditionally involves working very closely with producers as they gather information on approximately 10 million acres of crop and pasture land. FSA has reviewed their policies on acceptable types of signatures and determined there are only a handful of forms where they legally must obtain an original producer signature; they will be able to accept faxed, scanned or electronic signatures on most forms. Other changes to FSA as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 include giving producers more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most commodities. The maturity extension applies to nonrecourse loans for crop years 2018, 2019 and 2020. Eligible open loans must be in good standing with a maturity date of March 31, 2020, or later or new crop year (2019 or 2020) loans requested by Sept. 30, 2020. All new loans requested by Sept. 30, 2020, will have a maturity date 12 months following the date of approval. The maturity extension for current, active loans will be automatically extended an additional 3 months. FSA is also accepting applications for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands sign-up through May 15. Through CRP Grasslands, participants retain the right to conduct common grazing practices, such as haying, mowing or harvesting seed, from the enrolled land. Timing of some activities may be restricted by the primary nesting season of birds. Participants will receive an annual rental payment and may receive up to 50 percent cost-share for establishing approved conservation practices. The duration of the CRP contract is either 10 or 15 years. FSA will rank applications using a number of factors including existence of expiring CRP land; threat of conversion or development; existing grassland and predominance of native species cover; and cost. FSA has relaxed their loan-making process by extending the deadline for applicants to complete farm loan applications; preparing direct loans documents even if FSA is unable to complete lien and record searches because of closed government buildings; and closing loans if the required lien position on the primary security is perfected, even for loans that require additional security and those lien searches, filings and recordings cannot be obtained because of closed government buildings. They are extending deadlines for producers to respond to loan servicing actions, including loan deferral consideration for financially distressed and delinquent borrowers. FSA will temporarily suspend loan accelerations, nonjudicial foreclosures and referring foreclosures to the Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will make the determination whether to stop foreclosures and evictions on accounts under its jurisdiction. More information on USDA’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS is continuing to provide the best customer service they can while also prioritizing the health of their employees, the health of their customers and the health of their partners. Like other USDA agencies, they are open for business by phone appointment only, and will be working with customers by phone, by email and using other online tools whenever possible. NRCS just announced May 29, 2020, as the next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding this fiscal year. CSP helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. “CSP continues to be a very effective tool for private landowners working to achieve their conservation and management goals,” said Roylene Comes At Night, NRCS Washington state conservationist. “It is the largest conservation program in the United States with more than 70 million acres of productive agricultural and forest land enrolled.”  Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorize NRCS to accept new CSP enrollments from now until 2023 and makes some improvements to the program including:

• NRCS now enrolls eligible, high-ranking applications based on dollars rather than acres;
• Higher payment rates are now available for certain conservation activities, including cover crops and resource conserving crop rotations; and 
• Provides specific support for organic and for transitioning to organic production activities and a special grassland conservation initiative for certain producers who have maintained cropland base acres.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline to ensure their applications are considered for 2020 funding. Risk Management Agency (RMA). Although the public can’t visit the RMA regional office in Spokane Valley, the staff continues to do important work like answering program questions; reviewing and issuing written agreements; and reviewing crop insurance yields, rates and prices in the actuarial documents. Producers can contact their crop insurance agents about questions and information, and the insurance providers are doing inspections and processing any claims for loss. Ben Thiel, director of the Spokane regional office, has been working with Washington Association of Wheat Grower staff and producers in Whitman County to modify the spring wheat final planting date map boundary line in Whitman county for potential implementation for the 2021 crop year.  More information on RMA’s response to COVID-19 can be found at rma.usda.gov/en. Washington State Conservation Districts (CDs). All local conservation district offices are closed to walk-in visitors. Most staff are teleworking, and landowner assistance is happening by phone, email and video chat. Fieldwork is limited to those activities deemed essential by each local CD and where they can abide by the CDC and Washington State Department of Health guidelines. Currently, there are no changes to enrollment processes for local and/or state financial assistance programs. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Despite closing all offices statewide to the public, WSDA intends to continue providing high quality inspections and other crucial services necessary to support commerce and maintain the viability of Washington’s food supply chain. “This is an extraordinary measure, but a necessary step to help protect both our staff and the public,” WSDA Director Derek Sandison said. “WSDA remains open for business and will continue to fulfill its mission of supporting our state’s agriculture industry. I would encourage the public to call, email or use our website to connect with us for the time being.” The public can still reach WSDA staff for regular business and assistance. All WSDA divisions are accessible by phone and email. You can reach the agency at (360) 902-1800 or find specific program contact information on their website at agr.wa.gov/contact-us. For more information on WSDA’s response to COVID-19, visit agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/covid-19 Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). Although Ecology is closed to walk-in service at least through May 4, staff is available by telephone and email. Routine inspections have been suspended, but the agency continues to respond to spills, provide technical assistance, ensure permit coverage for regulated activities and enforce the laws that protect the environment. Ecology’s ag burn team is also still active and making daily burn decisions. They are, however, asking people to consider the potential impacts on neighbors and local emergency responders before starting an outdoor burn of any type and to postpone or cancel if at all possible. For more information on Ecology’s response to COVID-19, visit ecology.wa.gov/coronavirus.