By Carrie Muehling
NORMAL – Area farmers are wasting no time putting this year’s crop into the ground.
A great stretch of weather in early May allowed for significant planting progress in Central Illinois. But that process is not complete until farmers file some paperwork with the USDA Farm Service Agency in the counties where they farm.
“It looks like a lot of guys are probably ahead of schedule this year as far as planting goes. So we want to remind them here at the Farm Service Agency that once they are 100 percent done planning, to call in and get an appointment to certify their crop, and bring their planting dates with them to the appointment,” said Jonathan Evers, director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in McLean County.
Evers said farmers will leave the appointment with paperwork they can take to their crop insurance agent. Certifying acres is required to participate in farm bill programs. This year’s deadline is again July 15, but Evers encourages farmers to come in sooner.
“Definitely sooner the better,” said Evers. “That way we don’t have to try and certify everybody within a matter of six weeks. If we can get some guys in here late May or mid-May, that’s not a bad thing.”
Carrie Muehling can be reached at carrie@wjbc.com.
