September 10, 2019 Issue, Page 5 of 10

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Agriculture Tuesday, September 10, 2019 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Farm Service Agency Expands payment options WASHINGTON, D.C., “Our customers have spo- check, money orders and age cost to manually pro- methods are one part of a farm storage facility loan re- August 20, 2019 — The U.S. ken, and we've listened,” wires were accepted. By cess checks, a process that much larger effort to expand payments, farm loan facility Department of Agricul- using debit cards and ACH included navigating multiple said Bill Northey, USDA’s options for our customers, ture’s (USDA) Farm Service Under Secretary for Farm debit, transactions are se- systems, cost USDA more as well as to make our ser- fees, marketing assistance Agency (FSA) is expand- Production and Conserva- curely processed from the than $4.6 million. The ex- vices more effective and ef- loan repayments, Dairy ing its payment options to tion. “Finding ways to im- customer’s financial institu- panded payment options will ficient.” Margin Coverage (DMC) now accept debit cards and prove customer service and tion through Pay.gov, the cut the time employees take Today’s administrative fees and pre- announcement Automated Clearing House efficiency is important for U.S. Treasury's online pay- processing payments by 75 marks the beginning of a miums and Noninsured Crop (ACH) debit. These paper- our farmers, ranchers, pro- ment hub. percent. multi-phased roll-out of new less payment options enable ducers, and forest landown- While traditional collec- “At USDA, we're fo- payment options for USDA Disaster Assistance Program FSA customers to pay farm ers who work hard for our tion methods like cash and cused on modernization to customers. Ultimately, pay- (NAP) fees. loan payments, measure- nation every day. Now, our paper checks will continue, improve customer service,” ment option flexibility will To learn more, contact ment service fees, farm pro- customers can make elec- offering the new alternatives said Northey. “If half of our be extended to allow farmers your FSA county office, vis- gram debt repayments and tronic payments instantly will improve effectiveness customers use these new and producers to use debit administrative service fees, by stopping in our offices or and convenience to custom- payment options, we'll see cards and ACH debit pay- it farmers.gov, or download as well as to purchase aerial calling over the phone.” ers while being more cost a $1 million savings in one ments to make payments for the “Make Your FSA Pay- maps. Previously, only cash, effective. In 2017, the aver- year. These new payment all FSA programs, including ments Instantly” fact sheet. NRCS offers more than $200 million in emergency funding to restore flood-prone lands STILLWATER, OK, - In many producers out into the Okmulgee, Nowata, Rog- graze it or hay it or continue of the following: fair market oil and gas are acceptable response to flooding impact- fields devastated by flooding ers, Wagoner, Muskogee, to crop it. value based on appraisal, if the exploration does not ing many parts of the United this year in Oklahoma,” said Mayes, Cherokee, Otta- This is a perpetual ease- geographic area rate cap, or change the surface of the States this year, the USDA’s Oklahoma NRCS State Con- wa, Delaware, Sequoyah, ment that stays with the title landowner offer. easement. i.e. horizontal Natural Resources Con- servationist Gary O’Neill. Haskell and LeFlore. of the land. Also know that you do drilling, existing pipelines. servation Service (NRCS) “We said in May and we Landowners are encour- After the easement is pur- not have to enroll the whole Remember the easement earlier announced the avail- still hold firm to the prom- aged to contact their local chased by USDA, this land farm. However, NRCS can never be removed from ability to 11 states of $217.5 ise that we will continue to NRCS field offices for more will be restored to a natural will only be able to take in the land. This is a permanent million dedicated to funding look for ways to assist our information on these flood- floodplain state. This usu- acres that would restore the easement. The statue (law) conservation easements on state’s producers. With that plain easement opportuni- ally involves planting native floodplains to natural condi- for this program does not al- certain lands damaged by in mind, we were very excit- ties. grasses and potentially trees. tions. Typically, that means low for any modification or flooding and other natural ed to learn of this emergency Property owners interest- Each site will look differ- the land enrolled would be termination of the easement. disasters. In a second round funding to restore flood- ed in applying for EWPP- ent. Please understand, you contiguous acres of land Also, there is no payment of funding, an additional prone lands.” FPE can review program will not have to pay to plant with up to 1:1 ratio of flood- $9 million has been made The EWPP-FPE program information on the Flood- the grass or the trees. NRCS plain to upland buffer. Also, limit to the amount of money available for the floodplain is a voluntary program plain Easement webpage pays for 100% of the resto- NRCS must have access to you can receive or be eligible for based on your income. easement component of the through which eligible ap- (https://www.nres.usda.gov/ ration cost of the easement. the enrolled land through Emergency Watershed Pro- plicants agree to sell a per- wps/portal/nres/detail/na- The restoration will be com- an easement if access is not This is not a Farm Bill Con- tection Program — Flood- manent conservation ease- tional/programs/landscape/ pleted either through a land- available by public road. In servation Program so ap- plain Easements (EWPP- ment to the United States ewpp/?cid=nres143_008216 owner agreement or federal addition, NRCS is not al- plicants are not required to FPE). With that, Oklahoma, through NRCS. Compensa- ). More information about contract. lowed to acquire an ease- meet adjusted gross income, as well as two other states, tion is based on the value of the EWPP-FPE can be ob- You will not be allowed ment that would land lock highly erodible land, wet- Kentucky and Mississippi the easement as determined tained from your local USDA to keep your barn or build another piece of property. land compliance, or length have been added to the list of by an appraisal or the estab- NRCS Field Office https:// a barn on the easement. NRCS would not grant an of ownership requirements those identified for funding. lished Oklahoma Geograph- offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/lo- All structures must be de- access agreement to cross of the Farm Bill. “Landowners across the ical Area Rate Cap. These cator/app?agency=nrcs stroyed/removed from the the easement. Those states identified for United States have faced— easements may occur on If you are asking yourself, easement. Small portable ‘A landowner may real- funding, in addition to Okla- and continue to face—signif- private or State/Local gov- does this fit my operation, hunting blinds are accept- ize economic returns on ac- homa, Kentucky and Missis- icant challenges from flood- ernment owned agricultural following are some addi- able. tivities allowed on the ease- sippi are: Arkansas, Illinois, ing and natural disasters,” land damaged by flooding tional facts that may prove How much per acre you ment. However, that is not Towa, Louisiana, Minnesota, said NRCS Chief Matthew and natural disasters. NRCS helpful. will get paid for this agri- assured. Missouri, Nebraska, North Lohr. “To provide relief and will work to restore the ease- In this program you retain cultural lands’ easement You will retain your min- Carolina, South Dakota, assist agricultural landown- ment to its natural floodplain the rights of Quiet enjoy- will be based on the lowest eral rights. Exploration for Texas and Wisconsin. ers during this difficult time, condition. ment; Right to control pub- this easement program of- The counties in Oklahoma lic access, and Undeveloped fers an option that alleviates the stress of operating in a floodplain while still retain- in which property owners recreational use such as can apply for Emergency hunting and fishing. Watershed Protection Pro-You will still have to pay Garden tips for September ing ownership of their prop- gram Floodplain Easements taxes because you retain Landscape doors for the winter. should be completed by the erty.” 2019 are: Kay, Osage, Paw- ownership of the land. Watch for fall specials at Vegetables second week of September. “We have walked with nee, Washington, Tulsa, You will not be allowed to garden centers and nurseries You have all of September Note: Do not treat areas that since fall is a great time for to plant cool-season veg- will be seeded in the fall. planting many ornamentals. etables like spinach, leaf let- Continue — bermudagrass Choose spring flowering tuce, mustard and radishes, spray program with glypho- ELK CITY bulbs as soon as available. and until the middle of Sep- sate products for areas being Plant cool-season annu- tember to plant rutabagas, converted over to tall fescue Ducks UNLIMITED DINNER als like pansies, ornamental Swiss chard, garlic and tur- this fall. 9/12/2019 cabbage or kale, snapdrag- nips. Plan to seed bluegrass, ons and dusty miller when Lawn fescue or ryegrass as needed 6:00 PM temperatures begin to cool. Last nitrogen fertilizer in shady areas in mid- to ELK CITy CONVENTION CTR Watch for and control any application of the year on late-September. Fall is the 1016 AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL late infestations of tree web- warm-season grasses should best time to establish cool- worms. be applied no later than Sep- ELK City, Ok Twig girdler _insects tember 15. season lawns. should be controlled if large Winter broadleaf weeds White grub damage can numbers of small branches like dandelion will begin to become visible this month. of elms, pecans or persim- emerge in late September, Apply appropriate soil in- mons are uniformly girdled which is also the best time secticide if white grubs are a from the tree and fall to the to control them with a2, 4-D problem. Water product into ground, type herbicide. soil. Begin to reduce the If pre-emergent control For more information con- amount of light on outside of winter-annual weeds tact Greg Hartman Beck- tropical houseplants by plac- (henbit, chickweed, annual ham/Washita County Ex- ing them under shade trees bluegrass, etc.) is desired tension at 580-928-2139 or before bringing them in- in lawns, the application 580-832-3356. TICKETS SINGLE $50 COUPLE $70 Looking for extra income? YOourTH $20 TABLES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE Like sports? Want to attend school activities and games? STEAK DINNER, COLD DRINKS, TONS OF GUNS AND GREAT GEAR! The Elk City News is looking for someone to cover PURCHASE TICKETS AT games and other activites on a needed basis. ADVANTAGE AUDIO IN ELK CITY Must be reliable, able to write, take photos WWW.ELKCITYDU.ORG OR BY CALLING and meet deadlines. CODY: (580) 339-2164 If this sounds like you send your resume to LANCE (580) 821-2294 [email protected]