The Grundy County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office reminds producers that the deadline to sign up for the 2012 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment (DCP) program is June 1, 2012.

The deadline is fast approaching and it is important that any producer receiving a share of the DCP payment sign the contract before the June 1, 2012 deadline. The contract cannot be approved until all required producer’s signatures on the contract, including those with a zero share of the payment, have been submitted to our office.

Payments are calculated using base acres and payment yields established for each farm. Eligible producers receive direct payments at rates established by statute regardless of market prices.

Counter-cyclical payments vary depending on market prices, and are issued only when the effective price for a commodity is below its target price (which takes into account the direct payment rate, market price and loan rate).

June 1, 2012 is also the deadline for enrolling farms in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program. The ACRE program provides a safety net based on state revenue losses and acts in place of the price-based safety net of counter-cyclical payments under DCP. In exchange for participating in ACRE, a farm’s direct payment is reduced by 20 percent, and marketing assistance loan rates are reduced by 30 percent.

The decision to enroll in the ACRE Program is irrevocable. The owner of the farm and all producers on the farm must agree to enroll in ACRE. Once enrolled, the farm shall be enrolled for that initial crop year and will remain in ACRE through the 2012 crop year. The ACRE Program Irrevocable Election form must be submitted with all participants’ signatures by the June 1, 2012 deadline.

For more information about DCP or ACRE, please contact the Grundy County FSA office at 319-824-5416. Information can also be obtained on line atwww.fsa.usda.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. Person 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. To file a complaint of Discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

More information on the county committee elections, including the nomination form, is available at the Grundy County FSA Office or online at www.fsa.usda.gov.