UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

Press Release

11 August 2008

Juan M. Ortiz Serbiá, State Executive Director

Juan M. Ortiz-Serbiá, State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), informs producers of the period to obtain the NAP coverage for the 2009 crop year, and crop acreage reporting for 2008 crop year

The period to obtain the NAP coverage for the 2009 crop year is currently open. The closing date for value loss crops (ornamental nursery, floriculture, turf grass, crustaceans, etc.) is September 2, 2008. The closing date to file an application for coverage for other crops (farinaceous, vegetables, fruits, honey, etc.) is December 1, 2008. Producers who do not file the application for coverage and pay the administrative fee by the applicable date will be ineligible to receive NAP benefits in case of a catastrophic loss of production.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-246, effective May 22, 2008, increased the administrative service fees for NAP from $100 to $250 per crop, from $300 to $750 per local office, and from $900 to $1,875 per producer for all local offices. Limited resource producers may request a waiver to the payment of the administrative fee, as applicable.

The application closing date has been extended to December 1, 2008. Value loss producers who file the application for coverage after September 2, 2008, are reminded that the coverage period will begin 30 calendar days after filing the application for coverage and end on September 30, 2009.

To meet the provisions of the 2008 disaster programs, producers who wish to participate in 2008 and on future years disaster programs, must report all crops, in all counties, in which they have an interest. This includes crops on cropland and/or noncropland, including native or improved grass that will be hayed or grazed. Producers must complete form FSA-578 at their FSA local office. Provisions under this announcement are for 2008 only. For 2009, normal acreage reporting requirements will apply.

Producers are encouraged to timely file the applications for coverage and acreage report. Please contact your local FSA office for more information on the NAP provisions and for other eligibility and payment limitation requirements. Also, you can visit the USDA?s website at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

Local offices: Adjuntas (787-829-2030); Arecibo (787-878-2580); Barranquitas (787-857-3940); Caguas (787-743-2203); Corozal (787-859-3978); Lares (787-897-4610); Mayagüez (787-831-3328); Ponce (787-841-3136); Utuado (787-894-4657)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA?s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.