Ag secretary lashes out at farm programs 8-17-04

Request approval of standard federal and state documents for Allapattah Ranch Acquisition 3-29-04

Land conservation program expands in Pennsylvania 3-25-04

U.S. Expands Long-term Land and Water Reserve 8-30-03

Refunds planned for landowners 5-20-03

Progress toward the 2-million-mile goal 2-24-03

Illinois Farm Land Auction 10-01-02

Veneman announces expansion of CRP emergency haying and grazing program for weather-stricken states  7-13-02

Conservation Acres Opened to Livestock Grazing 5-25-02              

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes annual rental payments based on the agriculture rental value of the land, and it provides cost-share assistance for up to 50 percent of the participant’s costs in establishing approved conservation practices.  Participants enroll in CRP contracts for 10 to 15 years. 

The program is administered through by the CCC through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and program support is provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cooperative State Research and Education Extension Service, state forestry agencies, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. 
 
CRP Program Fact Sheet

October 1999
Conservation Reserve Program Authorization

The Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, authorizes the CRP, which is implemented through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The program is also governed by the regulations published in 7CFR part 1410.

Overview

The CRP is a voluntary program that offers annual rental payments, incentive payments for certain activities, and cost-share assistance to establish approved cover on eligible cropland.

The program encourages farmers to plant long-term resource-conserving covers to improve soil, water, and wildlife resources. CCC makes available assistance in an amount equal to not more than 50 percent of the participant’s costs in establishing approved practices. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years.

The CRP is administered by the CCC through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cooperative State Research and Education Extension Service, state forestry agencies, and local soil and water conservation districts provide program support.

Eligible Land

To be eligible for placement in the CRP, land must be:

1.  Cropland that is planted or considered planted to an agricultural commodity 2 of the 5 most recent crop years (including field margins), which is also physically and legally capable of being planted in a normal manner to an agricultural commodity; or

2.  Certain marginal pastureland enrolled in the Water Bank Program.

Additional Requirements for Cropland

In addition to the eligible land requirements, cropland must:

1.  Have an Erosion Index (EI) of 8 or higher or be considered highly erodible land according to the conservation compliance provisions (redefined fields must have a weighted average EI of 8 or higher);

2.  Be considered a cropped wetland;

3.  Be devoted to any of a number of highly beneficial environmental practices, such as filter strips, riparian buffers, grass waterways, shelter belts, wellhead protection areas, and other similar practices;

4.  Be subject to scour erosion;

5.  Be located in a national or state CRP conservation priority area; or

6.  Be cropland associated with or surrounding non-cropped wetlands.

Ranking Criteria

Offers for CRP contracts are ranked according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI).

The Natural Resources Conservation Service collects data for each of the EBI factors, based upon the relative environmental benefits for the land offered. Each eligible offer is ranked in comparison to all others and selections made from that ranking.

EBI factors include:

Wildlife habitat benefits resulting from covers on contract acreage; Water quality benefits from reduced erosion, runoff, and leaching; On-farm benefits of reduced erosion; Likely long-term benefits of reduced erosion; Air quality benefits from reduced wind erosion; Benefits of enrollment in conservation priority areas where enrollment would contribute to the improvement of identified adverse water quality, wildlife
habitat, or air quality; and Cost.

Producer Eligibility Requirements

A producer must have owned or operated the land for at least 12 months prior to the close of the sign-up period, unless:

The new owner acquired the land as a result of death of the previous owner; The only ownership change occurred due to foreclosure where the owner exercised a timely right or redemption in accordance with State law; or The circumstances of the acquisition present adequate assurance to CCC that the new owner did not acquire the land for the purpose of placing it in the CRP.

Rental Rates

The CCC bases rental rates on the relative productivity of soils within each county and the average of the past 3 years of local dryland cash rent or the cash-rent equivalent.

The maximum CRP rental rate for each offer is calculated in advance of enrollment. Producers may offer land at that rate or may offer a lower rental rate to increase the likelihood that their offer will be accepted.

In addition, CCC offers additional financial incentives of up to 20 percent of the annual payment for certain continuous sign-up practices.

Other Payments

The CCC encourages restoration of wetlands by offering a onetime incentive payment equal to 25 percent of the costs incurred. This is in addition to the 50-percent cost share provided to establish approved cover.

Continuous Sign-Up

Eligible acreage devoted to certain special conservation practices, such as riparian buffers, filter strips, grassed waterways, shelter belts, living snow fences, contour grass strips, salt tolerant vegetation, and shallow water areas for wildlife, may be enrolled at any time under the CCC’s continuous sign-up and is not subject to competitive bidding. (See FSA FACT Sheet: Continuous Sign-Up for High-Priority Practices for further details.)

May 23, 2002

Washington, DC (ENS) - Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in seven states have been opened to livestock grazing to aid ranchers hurting from an ongoing drought.

The announcement Thursday by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman was made so producers in eligible counties in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming could begin to participate in the program.

"The extreme drought has devastated many farmers and ranchers, especially in western states," said Veneman. "We are announcing this emergency relief measure a month earlier than in previous drought years to provide immediate relief for producers when they need it most."

CRP is a voluntary program that offers annual rental payments and cost share assistance to establish long term, resource conserving vegetation cover on eligible land. CRP participants will now be able to graze livestock on CRP acres, providing supplemental forage to producers whose pastures have been seared by drought.

To be approved for emergency grazing, a county must have suffered at least a 40 percent loss of normal moisture and forage for the preceding four month qualifying period. This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will notify eligible counties that have been approved for grazing.

CRP participants must then submit applications with their local Farm Service Agency. Grazing may be authorized until August 31, 2002, or until disaster conditions no longer exist, whichever comes first.

Only livestock operations located within approved counties are eligible for emergency grazing of CRP acreage. CRP participants who do not own or lease livestock may rent or lease the grazing privilege to an eligible livestock farmer located in an approved county.

At least 25 percent of the CRP contract acreage must be left ungrazed for wildlife.

"We continue to look at every available program within USDA's authority to assist producers who are adversely affected by drought conditions," said Veneman. "This announcement, along with other available programs, will continue to provide relief to these areas hit hard by severe drought."

More information is available at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov

http://ens-news.com/ens/may2002/2002-05-23-09.asp#anchor2

(Note: This is posted due to the many references to the Conservation Reserve Program -- CRP -- wildlife, historic sites, etc. Buyer beware, especially if Buyer should want to farm or build: restrictions appear to be firmly in place!)

October 5, 2002

Branch Office - Sparta, Illinois

618-443-1998

Wayne Keller - agent

L-16276

Land Auction

Marion County, Illinois @ Vernon

372 Acres / 9 Tracts

Tillable/Pasture/Recreational

Just East of Lake Carlyle on Hwy 51

Saturday October 5th @ 10:00 A.M.

Sale Location: Patoka American Legion, 405 N. Washington, Patoka Illinois

This property is unique in many ways, offering a wide array of land types and uses. There is pasture land mostly fenced with good fences, level row crop land in a nicely sized and shaped field to accommodate large modern equipment.

The CRP fields offer guaranteed income and wildlife habitat for several more years and the timberland has harvest potential as well as harboring area wildlife.

In addition, the property is strikingly beautiful and would make for excellent home sites offering country living yet very close to Rt.51 and a mere 10 minute drive to I-70 to the North and I-57 to the East.

Located near the Carlyle Lake Wildlife management area this property is suited for many outdoor uses such as hunting, fishing, horse riding and many other recreational uses!

History; the property is rich with history of the early days. The old stage coach road crosses the property and in places is still visible. Most likely Abraham Lincoln and other history-making individuals traveled this route! Enjoy viewing the property and if we can answer any questions please do not hesitate to give Wayne or Todd a call.

a.. Property Location: The property is located in Marion County Illinois and joins the Fayette County line. From Vandalia go 11 miles south on Illinois Rt. 51 to the 600N Fayette Road, or just as soon as you see the Marion County line sign turn west onto 600N. Travel about 350 feet and the property starts on your left. Continue west on 600N and you will pass tracts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. At the first crossroads turn left and you will be on Kline Road. Tracts 5, 6 and 7 will be on your left. Continue down 850e until you must turn left, go until the road "T's", at which point you will be at theSW corner of tract 9. Turn left and follow the road to the ends and the easement to tract 8 begins. This easement goes through the gate onto tract 8.

b.. Sale Location: Patoka American Legion, 405 N. Washington St., Patoka Illinois

c.. Sale Time: 10:00 AM, Saturday October 5th, 2002.

d.. Showings: Friday September 13 from Noon until 7PM and Saturday September 14 from 8AM until Noon. Showing headquarters will be just off Rt.24 on Tract # 8.

e.. Legal: Part of Section 4, T. 4 N. - R. 1 E. Marion County Illinois, title policy will be available for review.

f.. Taxes: $1,231.00 or $3.30 per acre for the year 2000 payable in 2001. The 2002 property taxes will be paid by the seller, 2003 and beyond will be the responsibility of the new owner(s).

g.. Farm income: Row crop, $70 per acre cash rent. Pasture $20 per acre cash rent.

h.. CRP income: 100% to the new owner for the year 2003 and beyond.

Tracts:

a.. # 1 40 acres, 10.8 acres in CRP (grass) at $80 per acre until 2006. Balance is pasture land with a 52' x 65' barn and 2 ponds. Much of the pasture is wooded with frontage along 600N and just a stones throw from Rt. 51. Very nice pasture tract, most of which is fenced and has a corral. All set up for cattle or horses.

b.. # 2 44 acres, 32 acres in CRP (grass) at $80 per acre until 2006. A small amount of nice hardwood trees and excellent road frontage on 600N for 1000 feet. This tract would make a nice bird dog training area or put and take game bird operation.

c.. # 3 23 acres, 12.9 in CRP (grass) at $80 per acre until 2006. Mature timber with food plots established. This parcel is excellent hunting ans also has good features for working the bird dog.

d.. # 4 23 acres, pastureland with some mature Oak and Hickory wooded areas. Very nice pond and home site on this parcel! Borders 600N for 1/8 of a mile.

e.. # 5 23 acres, with a nice pond bordering Fayette and Kline Roads. Great place to build a home, horse barn or just a place to pasture the kids horses, or a few head of cattle.

f.. # 6 30 acres, with 1.29 in CRP (grass) at $80 per acre until 2006. This Parcel has some timbered areas and borders on Kline Road for nearly 1000 Feet.

g.. # 7 30 acres, mostly pasture land with a considerable amount of wooded areas. Wetland possibilities and excellent hunting possibilities. This parcel borders Kline Road for nearly 1000 feet. Flat Creek runs east and west through the property adding senic beauty to this parcel!

h.. # 8 77 acres, all pasture with approximately 50% of which is wooded with mature hardwood timber. Excellent potential for recreational use, and has several good pond site locations. Flat Creek runs east and west thru this parcel, with wooded bluffs along the south side of the creek.

i.. # 9 82 acres, 95% level tillable land with road frontage along Willett Road for approximately 15000 feet. Soil types are predominately Cisne-Huey and Bluford. Nice addition to any size farming operation, the waterway has been well maintained and this farm is ready to go for the spring of 2003! Nice farm tract.

Auction Terms:

a.. Sale Method: Auction offering the property in individual tracts, any combination of tracts, or in its entirety. Sale and parcel configuration is subject to owners approval.

b.. Survey: A registered survey, completed by a Registered Illinois Land Surveyor to be selected by the seller will be conducted following the conclusion of the auction. Advertised acreages will be adjusted to actual surveyed acreage and the sale price will then be adjusted accordingly.

c.. Financing: Your bidding is not conditional on financing, make arrangements for financing prior to the auction.

d.. Earnest Money: Earnest money equal to 10% of the accepted bid price is required immediately following the close of bidding.

e.. Contract between buyer and seller: Immediately following the conclusion of the auction the high bidder(s) will enter into a real estate sales contract and deposit with the Auctioneer the required 10% earnest money payment. The earnest money may be in the form of Cash, Personal check, business check, or certified check. The seller will provide an Owners Title Insurance Policy for the purchase amount.

f.. Possession/Closing: Possession will be at closing, which will be on or before January 15, 2003 but not prior to January 2nd 2003 . However the successful bidder can enter onto the property for recreational uses prior to closing.

g.. Mineral rights; 25.5% of 100% of the mineral interest will transfer to the new owner(s), except the coal interest.

h.. Government Payment: All (100%) of the Government payments for the property will transfer to the new owner for year 2003 and beyond. Property taxes; The 2002 property taxes will be paid by the seller, 2003 and beyond will be the responsibility of the new owner(s).

i.. Agency: Farmers National Company and Coldwell Banker Heart of America, its agents and representatives are agents of the seller.

j.. Tract Acreages: All tract acreages, tillable acreage estimates, map borders advertised or displayed are approximate and have been estimated based on outside information. These figures, estimates and maps are in no way guaranteed.

k.. Conditions and Easements: This sale is subject to all easements, covenants, leases, and restrictions of record. This will include any and all easements and covenants including those created for this sale.

l.. Disclaimer and Absence of Warranties: All information contained in this brochure and all related materials are subjects to the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement to purchase. Announcements made by the auctioneer at the time of the sale will take precedence over any previously printed materials or any others oral statements made. The property is being sold on a "As is, where is" basis, and no warranty or representation, either expressed or implied concerning the property is being made by the seller or the auction company. Furthermore, each potential bidder agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the seller and Auction Company from any and all liability associated with such inspections, investigations, and inquiries including but not limited to, personal injury while on the property. The information contained in this brochure is believed to be accurate but is subject to verification by all parties relying on it. The seller or the Auction Company assumes no liability for its accuracy, errors, or omissions. All sketches and dimensions in this in brochure are approximate. All acreage is approximate and has been estimated based on Arial photographs. Procedures of the auction and increments of bidding are at the direction and discretion of the auctioneer. The seller and the auction company reserve the right to preclude any person from bidding if there is any questions as to the persons credentials or fitness. All decisions of the auctioneer are final.

Sellers: James and Karen Anderson

Wayne Keller , agent

Home: 618- 965-9773

Cell: 618- 407-1679

Office: 800- 443-1464

[email protected]

For information on any of the above property or discuss an auction or marketing plan for your property contact FNC today.

Farmers National Company - Branch Office - 615 South St.Louis Street - P.O. Box 128 - Sparta, Illinois 62286

http://www.buyafarm.com/au.Anderson.html