CENTRE — Cherokee County Farm Service Agency County Executive Director Elizabeth L. Farmer reminds producers of the annual requirement of crop certification. The crop certification deadline for Alabama is July 15. 

This reporting to the FSA office can also be referred to as crop reporting or acreage reporting.  Filing an accurate and timely report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage, can prevent loss of benefits for a variety of Farm Service Agency programs. All cropland on the farm must be reported to receive benefits from the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program, Average Crop Revenue Election Program, marketing assistance loans, loan deficiency payments, Conservation Reserve Program, Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, and Livestock Forage Program (LFP). 

“It is also very important that producers report crop losses, including those insured under Federal Crop Insurance (FCIC) and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) within 15 days of the date damage occurred or 15 days from the date damage is apparent,” Farmer said.  “Losses and or damages to crops must be reported after each disaster occurrence and in a timely manner to insure continued eligibility for benefits.” 

Producers must also report crop production for the 2010 crop year, for crops covered under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), to FSA by July 15. Producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA county office to file the required certification report before the deadline.