These workshops will focus in on the changes in the 2018 Farm Bill to prepare Maryland producers for signup before March 15, 2020.
This winter, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) is partnering with the University of Maryland Extension and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to host a series of one-day workshops geared towards educating Maryland producers on changes associated with the 2018 Farm Bill.
The 2018 Farm Bill has been called evolutionary and not revolutionary as the 2014 Farm Bill was. The new Farm Bill continues the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program with modifications. These workshops will highlight the changes to these programs and other FSA programs. The workshops will also provide participants with the opportunity to understand how to use the decision tools that will assist producers in selecting between the ARC and PLC programs.
Seven winter workshops will be hosted around Maryland in February to prepare producers before the end up sign up by March 15, 2020 at their county FSA office. “Although many eligible producers may think they understand how the programs operate, its important to remember Congress did make changes to the programs. All producers should consider attending to better familiarize themselves with the changes and how those changes could impact program payments,” said Paul Goeringer, Extension Legal Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland.
Image above is by Edwin Remsberg and shows a combine harvesting corn.