(BOZEMAN, Mont.) USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Montana State University (MSU) Extension has announced seven Farm Bill informational meetings in communities across Montana.
USDA and MSU Extension are conducting the meetings to inform Montana producers about important changes to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). NAP coverage provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occurs due to natural disasters. The next NAP sales closing date in Montana is March 15, 2016 for spring-seeded 2016 NAP crops.
These meetings will focus on the improved NAP program, administered by local FSA offices across Montana. MSU Extension will explain the online NAP Farm Bill Decision Tool that is available to assist current and prospective NAP producers. The decision tool can be accessed at http://fsa.usapas.com/NAP.aspx.
Producers are invited to attend any of the seven scheduled meetings. These meetings are free and open to the public. Please RSVP with your local FSA office or to Jennifer Cole at 406.587.6786 or jennifer.cole@mt.usda.gov no later than Feb. 3.
NAP Meeting Schedule
· Feb. 8, Bozeman, 10 a.m. to noon, Bozeman Public Library (626 E. Main St.)
· Feb. 8, Billings, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Residence Marriot (956 S. 25th St. W)
· Feb. 16, Missoula, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Guesthouse Inn & Suites (3803 Brooks St.)
· Feb. 17, Kalispell, 10 a.m. to noon, Hilton Garden Inn, Glacier Room 1 (1840 Hwy 90 3 S)
· Feb. 17, Browning, 5 p.m. to 7 pm. Blackfeet Tribal Conference Room, NW of Blackfeet Tribal Office
· Feb. 18, Great Falls, 10 a.m. to noon, Montana ExpoPark Gold Buckle Room (4003 3rd St. NW)
· Feb. 19, Sidney, 10 a.m. to noon, Richland County Extension Office (1499 N. Central Ave.)
For more information, including a printable schedule, visit MSU Extension’s Farm Bill website at http://www.montana.edu/farmbill and Montana FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov/mt.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in a meeting should contact Jennifer Cole on 406.587.6786, or Federal Relay Service at 1-800.877.8339, and jennifer.cole@mt.usda.gov by Feb. 3.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
Source: USDA Farm Service Agency
