COLUMBUS — Due to the extreme weather that has taken a devastating toll on parts of Ohio, Treasurer Robert Sprague today announced he has re-opened the application period for the Ag-LINK program. Through this round of applications, farm operators and agribusiness owners based in Ohio can receive a 2% interest rate reduction on loans up to $150,000. Ag-LINK can provide significant savings and much needed relief to farmers and agribusinesses impacted by recent storms and floods.

COLUMBUS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is extending the prevented plant crop reporting deadline for Ohio producers affected by spring flooding and excessive moisture. Producers without crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage in certain counties now have until Monday to report acres they intended to plant this spring but could not due to weather conditions.

COLUMBUS — Extreme weather conditions like the recent excessive rains and tornados have negatively impacted Ohio farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will invest $4 million to help Ohio agricultural producers recover.

To comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to contact the FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. For the 2019 crop year, due to the excessive moisture in Wyandot County, the deadline to file a CCC-576, Notice of Loss, for producers without insurance or NAP coverage, has been extended to no later than the final acreage reporting date, July 15.

BUCYRUS — The Ohio Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District, continues to provide funding for assistance programs for farmers to help protect water quality in the western basin of Lake Erie. The sign-up period for these programs begins June 17.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Poultry Association is now accepting suggestions for nominations to serve on the 2020-21 American Egg Board, which is U.S. egg farmers’ link to consumers in communicating the value of the incredible egg. Members serve two-year terms on the national board.

TIFFIN — The Ohio State University Extension has announced the launch of the first Agriculture Exploring post in the nation. This program will focus on agricultural careers that are “In Demands Jobs.”

The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency county committees began Friday. It is important for county committees to reflect America’s diversity, and as such, all eligible farmers and producers, including beginning farmers, are encouraged to get involved in this year’s elections.

The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency recently made several policy updates for acreage reporting for cover crops, revising intended use, late-filed provisions, grazing allotments as well as updated the definitions of “idle” and “fallow.”

In Ohio, each county soil and water conservation district is governed by a board of five local supervisors. Two supervisors will be elected at the Wyandot Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual banquet Aug. 13 and will serve for three years beginning in January 2020.