Julia A. Wickard, State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana, announced today that sign-up for the Planting Transferability Pilot Program (PTPP) begins February 19, 2013 and ends April 5, 2013. USDA will not accept any late filed applications. The PTPP is a pilot project that permits Indiana producers to plant approved vegetables for processing on base acres under the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) or Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE).
“PTPP offers producers the opportunity to diversify their crop production and better use their base acres. This program supports Indiana farmers with additional sources of revenue and the production of healthy fruits and vegetables. The Indiana FSA staff works daily to provide this and other programs to eligible producers. We encourage producers to visit their local offices to sign up for the PTPP, as well as other programs to add value to their farming operations,” said Wickard.
PTPP allows producers to plant approved fruits or vegetables for processing on a farm’s base acres. Approved plantings include cucumbers, green peas, lima beans, pumpkins, snap beans, sweet corn or tomatoes. Without the PTPP, planting of these crops on base acres would be prohibited. Base acres on a farm will be temporarily reduced each year on an acre-for-acre basis, for each base acre planted with an approved fruit or vegetable on that farm. Indiana has 9,000 acres approved for PTPP in 2013.
Eligible participants must agree to produce one of the approved crops for processing and provide the county FSA office with a copy of the contract between the producer and processing plant. Participants must agree to produce the crop as part of a program of crop rotation on the farm to achieve agronomic, pest and disease management benefits, and to provide disposition evidence of the crop. Participants must complete form CCC-749, which is available at FSA county offices or online at https://www.fsa.usda.gov and file it with their county FSA office.
For more information on PTPP or other farm programs, visit your local FSA county office or the Farm Service Agency website.
Source: Indiana FSA