USDA
Press Release

LEXINGTON – USDA Kentucky Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Brian D. Lacefield, announced that approximately $15 million will be paid to Kentucky farms that enrolled in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for 2017 market downturns. Additionally, Kentucky FSA will distribute $33.6 million in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments to landowners for their commitment to conservation stewardship.

“ARC and PLC were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill to protect farmers against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues,” Lacefield said. “These payments help provide reassurance to Kentucky farm families who continue to persevere, even in this tough farm economy.”

According to Lacefield, PLC payments have triggered for 2017 barley, canola, corn, grain sorghum, wheat and other crops. In the next few months payments will be triggered for rice, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, crambe, and sesame seed. Producers with bases enrolled in ARC for 2017 crops can visit www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc for updated crop yields, prices, revenue and payment rates. In Kentucky, 115 counties have experienced a drop in price and/or revenues below the benchmark price established by the ARC or PLC programs and will receive payments.

“It’s important to remember that ARC and PLC payments by county can vary because average county yields will differ,” Lacefield said.
Also, this week, USDA will begin issuing 2018 CRP payments to support voluntary conservation efforts on private lands. In Kentucky, 13,661 landowners will receive compensation for their efforts to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and improve wildlife habitat.

“Since its inception in the 1980s, CRP has built upon the voluntary participation of farmers and landowners to take sensitive land out of production and establish land cover to improve the environment,” Lacefield said.

For more information about USDA programs or to locate the nearest USDA Service Center, visit www.farmers.gov.
ing business with USDA online and to locate the nearest USDA service center, visit www.farmers.gov.